Visitor in Transit Visa
The visa for passing through UK border control on your way to another country, for a stay of up to 48 hours. You cannot work or study.
- Screening A few questions about your work, your family and your plans.
- Documents A checklist built around your route and who is coming with you.
- Expert review A qualified adviser reads every document before anything is filed.
- Application Every answer is checked against the published rules for your route.
- Submission Filed, with everything that went with it kept in one place.
- Arrival We stay with you through the crossing and the first steps after.
Application fee
£74.50
GOV.UK; varies slightly by country
Maximum stay in the UK
48 hours
GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix V
Paid work allowed
No
GOV.UK, transit visa; no study either
What is the UK Visitor in Transit visa?
A Visitor in Transit visa lets you pass through UK border control on your way to another country outside the Common Travel Area, for example to collect luggage or change terminals for a connecting flight. It's for genuine transit only, and is different from a Direct Airside Transit visa, which is for passengers who remain airside throughout.
Who needs one
It applies to a traveller whose main purpose in coming to the UK is to transit to another country, who is taking a reasonable route to their destination, and who will not work, study, access public funds or receive medical treatment while in the UK. The traveller must be assured of onward entry to their destination country, and to any other country they pass through on the way. Whether entry clearance must be obtained in advance depends on nationality, under the same visa national list that applies to other Visitor routes.
Requirements
- Genuine transitThe main purpose of the visit must be to transit the UK on the way to another country outside the Common Travel Area, taking a reasonable transit route.
- Going through UK border controlThe traveller goes through UK border control, for example to check in luggage for a connecting flight, rather than remaining airside.
- Leaving within 48 hoursThe traveller must genuinely intend and be able to leave the UK within 48 hours of arrival.
- No work, study, public funds or medical treatmentThe traveller must not work, study, access public funds or receive medical treatment while transiting the UK.
- Assured onward entryThe traveller must be assured of entry to their destination country, and to any other country they pass through on the way.
- Entry clearance for visa nationalsA person on the UK's visa national list needs entry clearance as a Transit Visitor before travelling, unless a specific exemption applies.
Documents typically needed
- Current passport or other valid travel documentMust be valid for the trip.
- Evidence of the right to enter the destination countryFor example a residence permit, green card or valid visa, if not a national of that country.
- Evidence of the onward journeyFor example a flight booking email, a ticket or boarding pass, or confirmation from a travel agent.
How to apply
Check if you need a visa
Check whether a visa is needed for the traveller's nationality, and confirm this is a Visitor in Transit visa rather than a Direct Airside Transit visa.
Apply online
Apply online before travelling to the UK.
Gather evidence and attend an appointment
Provide the passport, evidence of the onward journey, and attend a visa application centre appointment to give fingerprints and a photo.
Wait for a decision
The passport is returned on the same day as the appointment, and a decision usually follows within the published timescale.
Fees & costs
- Visitor in Transit visa
- £74.50
Fee may vary slightly by country and is set by the Home Office; it can change. Source: GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa/visitor-in-transit-visa
Processing times
- Apply for a Visitor in Transit visa
- Usually within 3 weeks
Standard service time published by the Home Office once the application is submitted with identity proof and supporting documents.
What you can and can't do
Permitted
- Pass through UK border control on the way to another country outside the Common Travel Area
- Check in luggage or change terminals for a connecting flight
- Stay in the UK for a brief transit period before continuing the journey
Not permitted
- Work, study, access public funds or receive medical treatment while transiting
- Stay in the UK beyond the permitted transit period: a Standard Visitor visa is needed instead
- Use this visa if remaining airside without going through UK border control: a Direct Airside Transit visa applies instead
If the application is refused
An application is granted if the decision maker is satisfied that the suitability and eligibility requirements for the route are met, and refused if they are not. The refusal notice explains the reasons and any next steps that apply.
Common questions
How long can I stay on a Visitor in Transit visa?
What's the difference between a Visitor in Transit visa and a Direct Airside Transit visa?
How much does a Visitor in Transit visa cost?
Do I need this visa if I have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)?
What if I need to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours?
How long does a decision take?
Talk it through with one of our solicitors.
Book a consultation and one of our immigration solicitors will go through your situation, the documents involved, and what happens next.
Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
For travellers of some nationalities who change flights in the UK without going through border control.
Read the guide →Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Digital permission to visit the UK for up to 6 months. Most travellers from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia need one, not a visa.
Read the guide →