Transit Visa to pass through the UK

You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country).

To get a transit visa you must prove that:

• You will be in transit to another country, with enough funds and the intention to travel on
• you can enter that country
• the only purpose of your visit to the UK is transit

You do not need a transit visa if you:

• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
• have a Home Office travel document, for example you’re a refugee or stateless person
• have a Standard Visitor visa
• have a Marriage Visitor visa

A. Types of transit visa

The visa you need depends on whether you are going through UK border control when you arrive in the UK.

You need to apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) if you will be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control.

You need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you will be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours.

B. Direct Airside Transit visa

You might need a Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) if you:

• will be changing flights in the UK on your way to another country
• will not go through UK border control

C. Direct Airside Transit visa - documents you need

To apply for a DATV, you must have a current passport or other valid travel document.

You need to provide evidence that you’re allowed to enter the country you’re travelling to, such as a:

• residence permit
• green card
• valid visa

If you’re not a resident or national of the country you’re travelling to, you may need to explain why you’re going there. You may need to provide details of where you’re staying.

You must also provide evidence that your onward journey is booked or confirmed, such as:

• a flight booking email
• printed tickets
• confirmation from a travel agent

Bring your visa and documents with you when you travel through the UK.

D. Visitor in Transit visa

You might need a Visitor in Transit visa if you’re:

• changing flights in the UK on your way to another country
• going through UK border control, for example to check in your luggage for a connecting flight
• leaving the UK within 48 hours
• not working or studying while in the UK

E. Visitor in Transit visa - documents you need

To apply for a Visitor in Transit visa, you must have a current passport or other valid travel document.

You need to provide evidence that you’re allowed to enter the country you’re travelling to, such as a:

• residence permit
• green card
• valid visa

If you’re not a resident or national of the country you’re travelling to, you may need to explain why you’re going there. You may need to provide details of where you’re staying.

You must also provide evidence that your onward journey is booked or confirmed, such as:

• a flight booking email
• printed tickets
• confirmation from a travel agent

Your onward flight must be within 48 hours of your arrival in the UK.

Bring your visa and documents with you when you travel through the UK.

F. Right of appeal and administrative review

In case of refusal, the right to appeal or administrative review is not provided, except for discrimination reasons.

But there is always an opportunity to challenge the decision, which the applicant considers illegal, by submitting a judicial review in the High Court (High Court).

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