What documents do I need to transit through the United Kingdom?
This page explains what type of visa you may need when transiting through the United Kingdom. If you are in any doubt about whether or not you need a visa, you should check with UK visa services before you travel.
You will not need a visa if you are a non-visa national, or if you are a visa national who qualifies for the transit without visa concession or exemptions from direct airside transit visas.
If you are a national or citizen of certain countries, you cannot transit through the United Kingdom using the transit without visa concession. See Countries to which the transit without visa concession does not apply for a list of these countries.
If your country is not covered by the transit without visa concession you will need to apply for a direct airside transit visa or a visitor in transit visa if you wish to transit the United Kingdom.
If you are travelling on to the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pass through United Kingdom border control (see Entering the United Kingdom) in order to take a flight to Ireland. If you are a visa national or you qualify for exemption from the need to have a direct airside transit visa, you may transit without a visa providing you meet the conditions of the transit without visa concession and have the correct documents for entry into Ireland. If you are a national of a country to which the transit without visa concession does not apply and you are transiting to Ireland, you will need to hold a visit visa for the United Kingdom. A direct airside transit visa or visitor in transit visa cannot be used to travel to Ireland.
If you are a visa national and pass through United Kingdom border control because you are stopping in the United Kingdom for more than 24 hours, you will need a visitor in transit visa or a visit visa. See Direct airside transit visa and visitor in transit visa for more information.
More information on these visas and how to apply for them is on the visa services website.
See also
Terms explained
-
Non-visa national
A non-visa national is a national or citizen of any country that is NOT listed in Appendix 1 of the immigration rules (nationals of countries listed in Appendix 1 are visa nationals). A non-visa national does not need a visa to come to the United Kingdom for less than six months, unless it is a requirement of the immigration category under which they are entering. A non-visa national coming to the United Kingdom for more than six months will need a visa.
-
Transit
Passing through the United Kingdom on your way to another country without staying in the United Kingdom.
-
Visa national
A person who is a national or citizen of certain countries and will always require a visa to come to the United Kingdom. These countries or territories are listed in Appendix 1 of the immigration rules. Some visa nationals may pass through the United Kingdom on the way to another country without a visa, but in some circumstances they will require a direct airside visa or visitor in transit visa.
Policy & Law
Internet links
Contact
-
Visa services
Visa Customer Services, Visa Services Directorate, International Group, UK Border Agency, c/o Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR9 2BY If you are outside the United Kingdom, you should contact your nearest British diplomatic post.