Transiting through the UK may require a visa depending on your nationality, route, and documents. The rules sit primarily in Appendix Visitor (including the Transit Without Visa scheme) and Appendix Transit Visa of the UK Immigration Rules, alongside airport operational requirements. The key question is whether your journey is airside only or requires you to pass UK border control (landside), and whether you qualify for Transit Without a Visa (TWOV) or can use an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead of a transit visa.
What this article is about: This guide explains the two UK transit visa categories — the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) and the Visitor in Transit visa — and when TWOV or an ETA removes the need for a transit visa. It sets out who needs which route, core eligibility and exemptions, application steps, current fees and timings, and the practical consequences of non‑compliance, so you can match your travel to the correct UK requirement with confidence.
Section A: Understanding the UK Transit Visa
A UK transit visa allows certain nationals to pass through the UK en route to another country. Whether you need one depends on your nationality, your route (remaining airside or going landside through UK border control), and the documents you hold. The legal framework sits in the Immigration Rules, principally Appendix Visitor (including the Transit Without Visa scheme) and Appendix Transit Visa.
1. Do You Need a UK Transit Visa?
Not every traveller needs a UK transit visa. First determine whether your itinerary is airside (you do not pass UK border control) or landside (you do). In broad terms:
- Airside transit: You stay within the airport’s international transit area and do not enter the UK.
- Landside transit: You pass through UK border control, for example to change airports or stay overnight, and then depart for your final destination.
You may be able to transit without a visa (TWOV) if you meet strict criteria (see the next subsection). If you do not qualify for TWOV, you will usually need one of the two transit visas:
- Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) — for airside connections where you do not pass border control.
- Visitor in Transit visa — for landside transits where you must pass border control but will leave the UK within 48 hours.
Final decision: Admission and TWOV are always at the discretion of Border Force at the UK border.
2. Transit Without a Visa (TWOV): Airside vs Landside
TWOV is available only where all relevant conditions are met. The core conditions differ slightly for airside and landside:
Airside TWOV (no border control):
- Arrive and depart by air, remaining airside throughout.
- Hold a confirmed onward flight that departs within 24 hours of arrival in the UK.
- Carry the correct visa or residence documentation for your final destination (if required).
Landside TWOV (through border control):
- Arrive and depart by air.
- Hold a confirmed onward flight that departs by 23:59 on the day after arrival.
- Carry the correct visa or residence documentation for your final destination (if required).
Important: TWOV is limited to travellers of certain nationalities and with specific acceptable documents (for example, valid visas or residence permits issued by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, an EEA state, or Switzerland). Documents must be valid at the time of transit and only qualifying document types are accepted. If you do not meet all conditions, you must obtain the appropriate transit visa before travel.
3. When an ETA Removes the Need for a Transit Visa
Some nationals can obtain a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and transit the UK without a transit visa. Where an ETA is available to your nationality and itinerary, holding a valid ETA for the date of travel can remove the need to apply for a DATV or a Visitor in Transit visa. An ETA does not change the underlying limits on purpose and time in transit; if you intend to visit the UK beyond transit or exceed time limits, a different visa (e.g., Standard Visitor) may be required.
Practical tip: Check, in this order: (1) whether ETA is available to you; (2) whether you qualify for TWOV; (3) if not, which transit visa fits your route (DATV for airside, Visitor in Transit for landside within 48 hours).
Section A Summary: Start by mapping your route (airside or landside), then test ETA and TWOV eligibility. If neither applies, select the correct transit visa type. Always carry proof of your onward flight and destination permissions; Border Force makes the final decision at the UK border.
Section B: Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
The Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) is for travellers who will be changing flights in the UK without passing through UK border control. You remain entirely within the airport’s international transit area until you board your onward flight. The DATV requirement is set out in Appendix Transit Visa and the Immigration (Passenger Transit Visa) Order 2014, with exemptions listed in the Home Office guidance.
1. Who Needs a DATV?
You will need a DATV if you are a national of a country listed by the UK Home Office as subject to the airside transit visa requirement, unless you qualify for an exemption under the TWOV rules or by holding an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
Common exemptions include holding:
- A valid visa for, or residence permit issued by, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, an EEA state, or Switzerland (only certain document types are acceptable).
- A valid Irish biometric visa.
Important: Your document must be valid on the date of transit and be an accepted type as specified by the Home Office. Not all residence permits or visas from the listed countries qualify.
2. DATV Conditions
To travel on a DATV you must:
- Arrive and depart by air.
- Have a confirmed onward flight from the same airport.
- Depart within 24 hours of arrival in the UK.
- Carry the correct visa or entry clearance for your final destination.
You cannot leave the airport’s international transit area on a DATV. If you need to change airports, collect and re-check baggage through border control, or stay overnight outside the airside area, you will need a Visitor in Transit visa instead.
3. Validity and Fees
The DATV is valid for a single journey only and cannot be reused. As of August 2025, the fee for a DATV is £39. The fee is payable on application and is non-refundable, even if refused.
Section B Summary: The DATV applies to certain nationals transiting airside through the UK. It comes with strict movement and timing limits. Before travelling, confirm your nationality’s requirements, check for possible ETA or TWOV eligibility, and ensure your onward travel and final destination documentation is in order.
Section C: Visitor in Transit Visa
The Visitor in Transit visa is for travellers who must pass through UK border control before continuing to a third country. This might be necessary if you need to change airports, collect and re-check luggage, or stay overnight before your onward journey. The requirements are set out in Appendix Transit Visa and relevant parts of Appendix Visitor of the Immigration Rules.
1. Who Needs a Visitor in Transit Visa?
You will need a Visitor in Transit visa if you do not qualify for TWOV or ETA, and your journey involves entering the UK via border control before your onward travel.
TWOV for landside transit is only possible where you:
- Arrive and depart by air.
- Hold a confirmed onward flight departing by 23:59 on the day after arrival.
- Carry a valid visa or residence permit for your final destination country (if required).
If you cannot meet all of these conditions, you must apply for a Visitor in Transit visa before travelling.
2. Visa Conditions
With a Visitor in Transit visa, you must:
- Leave the UK within 48 hours of arrival.
- Use the visa solely for the purpose of transit — no tourism, business, work, study, or other visits are permitted.
- Not switch into another visa category from within the UK.
If you plan to remain in the UK for longer than 48 hours, or to carry out activities beyond direct onward travel, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
3. Validity and Fees
The Visitor in Transit visa is valid for a single entry to the UK and cannot be reused. As of August 2025, the fee for a Visitor in Transit visa is £70. The fee is payable at the time of application and is non-refundable.
Section C Summary: The Visitor in Transit visa allows entry to the UK during transit but within a strict 48-hour limit. It is suitable for situations like airport changes or overnight stays where you pass through UK border control. If you cannot meet the TWOV or ETA criteria, and your transit is landside, this is the required visa.
Section D: UK Transit Visa Application Process
Applying for the correct UK transit visa is essential to ensure smooth onward travel and to avoid refusal at the border. Applications must be made from outside the UK. You cannot apply for or switch into a transit visa once in the UK.
1. How to Apply
Applications for both the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) and the Visitor in Transit visa are made online through the official UK Government visa application service. The steps include:
- Completing the correct online application form for your transit visa type.
- Paying the relevant application fee.
- Booking and attending an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) in your country of residence to provide biometric information (fingerprints and a digital photograph).
- Submitting required supporting documents — either in person at the VAC or digitally if eligible via the UK Immigration: ID Check app (availability varies).
You will need to provide:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Proof of permission to enter your final destination (such as a valid visa or residence permit, if required).
- Evidence of a confirmed onward booking departing within the permitted timeframe (24 hours for airside DATV or by 23:59 the following day for landside TWOV).
2. Application Fees
As of August 2025:
- Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV): £39
- Visitor in Transit visa: £70
Fees are payable on application and are non-refundable, even if refused.
3. Processing Times
The standard UKVI processing time for transit visas is around three weeks from the date you provide biometrics, but this is not guaranteed. Factors such as application volumes, public holidays, and any additional security checks can affect timelines. In some countries, priority or super-priority services may be available for an extra cost, but these are not always offered for transit visa categories.
Section D Summary: Start your transit visa application early, apply from outside the UK, and ensure your documents match the requirements for your final destination. Complete and accurate applications help prevent delays or refusals that could disrupt your journey.
Section E: Summary
The UK transit visa system is designed to regulate travellers passing through the UK on their way to another country. The key to avoiding disruption is identifying the correct permission type early in your travel planning.
- DATV: For airside transits without passing border control.
- Visitor in Transit visa: For landside transits through border control within 48 hours.
- TWOV: For eligible travellers meeting strict nationality, document, and timing conditions.
- ETA: For certain nationals, an ETA can remove the need for a transit visa.
Applications must be made from outside the UK, and you must provide valid documents for both the UK transit and your final destination. Fees and processing times can vary, and non-compliance can lead to refusal at the border, return to your point of departure, costs charged to your airline, and negative impacts on future UK visa applications.
Section E Summary: Matching your travel circumstances to the correct UK transit route — ETA, TWOV, DATV, or Visitor in Transit visa — and applying in good time is essential for a smooth connection through the UK.
Section F: UK Transit Visa FAQs
This section addresses common questions about the UK’s transit visa framework, including DATV, Visitor in Transit visa, Transit Without a Visa (TWOV), and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
1. Can I leave the airport with a UK transit visa?
Only if you have a Visitor in Transit visa. This allows you to pass through UK border control for purposes such as changing airports or staying overnight. A DATV does not allow you to leave the airport’s international transit area.
2. What if my layover is under 24 hours?
You may still require a DATV if you remain airside and your nationality is on the visa-required list. If you need to pass through border control, you may require a Visitor in Transit visa, even for short layovers. TWOV or ETA may apply if you meet the eligibility criteria.
3. How long can I stay in the UK on a Visitor in Transit visa?
You must leave the UK within 48 hours of arrival. The visa cannot be extended or switched to another category from within the UK.
4. How can I check the status of my UK transit visa application?
Follow the instructions from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or the visa application centre where you applied. Some VACs provide online application tracking.
5. What happens if I travel without the required transit visa?
You may be refused entry or transit, returned to your point of departure, and your airline may be charged for carrying you without the correct permission. This could also negatively affect future UK visa applications.
6. Can I work or study on a UK transit visa?
No. Both DATV and Visitor in Transit visas strictly prohibit work, study, tourism, and other non-transit activities.
7. Is the GREAT Club an exemption from the transit visa requirement?
No. The GREAT Club is not part of the Immigration Rules and does not remove the requirement for a UK transit visa. Only the exemptions in Appendix Transit Visa and the TWOV scheme apply.
Section F Summary: The UK’s transit permissions are narrowly focused on onward travel. Understanding which type you need, and the limits it imposes, helps avoid problems at the border.
Conclusion
The UK is a key transit point for travellers connecting between global destinations, but its transit rules are specific and strictly enforced. Choosing the correct route — whether ETA, TWOV, DATV, or Visitor in Transit visa — is essential to ensuring your journey continues smoothly.
- Identify early whether your route is airside or landside.
- Check ETA availability for your nationality and route.
- Confirm TWOV eligibility before assuming you are exempt from a visa.
- Apply for the correct visa well in advance if required, and only from outside the UK.
- Have proof of onward travel and valid permission for your final destination ready for inspection.
Non-compliance can result in refusal of entry, return to your departure point, airline penalties, and a record that may impact future UK visa applications. By understanding and meeting the UK’s transit requirements, you protect your travel plans and avoid unnecessary delays or costs.
Conclusion Summary: Match your travel circumstances to the right UK transit route, comply with all document and timing rules, and prepare in advance. The correct preparation ensures a seamless and lawful connection through the UK.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| UK Transit Visa | A visa required for certain travellers passing through the UK on their way to another country, regulated under Appendix Transit Visa of the Immigration Rules. |
| Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) | A single-use visa for travellers who remain in the airport’s international transit area without passing UK border control. |
| Visitor in Transit Visa | A visa for travellers passing through UK border control during transit, allowing a stay of up to 48 hours for onward travel. |
| Transit Without a Visa (TWOV) | An exemption allowing eligible travellers to transit the UK without a visa if they meet strict nationality, document, and timing requirements. |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | Digital authorisation that, for eligible nationals, can remove the need for a transit visa if travelling through the UK. |
| Airside Transit | Remaining within the airport’s international transit area without entering the UK. |
| Landside Transit | Passing through UK border control during transit, often to change airports or stay overnight. |
| Biometric Information | Fingerprints and a digital photograph taken as part of the visa application process. |
| EEA | European Economic Area — includes all EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| DavidsonMorris – UK Transit Visa Guide | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/transit-visa-uk/ |
| UK Visas and Immigration | https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration |
| Apply for a UK Visa | https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk |
| Check if You Need a UK Visa | https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa |
