UK Transit: Everything You Need to Know About Transit Rules and Process During the Pandemic

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Updated June 2023

The UK plays a crucial role as a major transit hub, facilitating convenient travel connections between numerous countries for global travelers. If you have intentions to transit through the UK en route to your ultimate destination, it is vital to grasp the concept of UK transit and whether or not you require a UK transit visa to ensure a smooth journey.

For those whose itinerary includes the UK as a pit stop, here are the latest UK transit rules you need to know.

UK transit 2023

When travellers pass through a UK airport while on their way to another country, it is known as transiting or layover. There are two types of transiting in the UK:

• airside – you do not pass through UK border control before you leave on your connecting journey. A direct airside transit visa is issued for this type of UK transit.
• landside- you do pass through UK border control, but come back through it and leave the UK within a short amount of time, usually 24 hours. A visitor in transit visa is issued for this type of UK transit.

Please visit the GOV.UK website to find out if you need a UK visa for your layover.

Do I need a transit visa for a layover in the UK?

Travellers passing through a UK airport while on their way to another country may need a UK transit visa. Transit visas allow travellers to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours while waiting for their connecting flight.

Please note that the following applicants are exempted from obtaining a UK transit visa:

• applicants with an EU Settlement Scheme family permit
• applicants with a Home Office travel document, for example, they are a refugee or stateless person
• applicants with a Standard visitor visa
• applicants with a Marriage visitor visa

UK transit visa requirements

The following are some of the documents required to apply for a UK transit visa:

• a current passport or other valid travel document.
• in case you are not a national of the country you are travelling to, evidence that you are allowed to enter that country is required. This could include:
  • residence permit
  • green card
  • valid visa
• in case you are not a national of the country you are travelling to, you may need to explain why you’re going there. Furthermore, you may need to provide details of your accomodation.
• you may be asked to prove your onward journey is booked or confirmed. For this, you can use evidence including:
  • a flight booking email
  • a ticket or a boarding pass, either printed or on your phone
  • confirmation from a travel agent

Please make sure to carry your visa and documents with you when travelling through the UK.

What are the types of UK transit visas available?

There are generally two types of UK transit visas, namely, the direct airside transit visa and the visitor in transit visa. However, the type of UK transit visa you need depends on whether or not you are going through UK border control when you arrive in the UK:

Please note that your airline can tell you if you will go through border control

Direct airside transit visa

Travellers are required to apply for a direct airside transit visa under the following circumstances:

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

Fee

A direct airside transit visa usually costs £35. However, please note that this may change slightly depending on which country the traveller is in.

Visitor in transit visa

Travellers are required to apply for a visitor in transit visa under the following circumstances:

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

Fee

A visitor in transit visa usually costs £64. However, please note that this may change slightly depending on which country the traveller is in.

UK transit visa processing time

The processing time for a UK transit visa is usually 3 weeks.

However, you may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you are in. Please make sure to check with your visa application centre, regarding the UK transit visa processing time.