UK Transit Visa from Ireland
Nationals of some countries will need a Transit visa when travelling through the UK en route to another country. The Transit visa will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours while you wait for your connecting flight.
To learn more about the UK Transit visa, you can speak to one of our UK immigration lawyers. Call us at +353 061 518 025 or via the online contact form for immediate assistance.
Transit Visa Overview
The UK Transit visa allows non-UK nationals to pass through the UK en route to another country. Most non-EU/EEA nationals need a visa to travel through the UK.
To qualify for a Transit visa, you must:
- Be transiting to another country and have sufficient funds to cover your trip
- Be taking a reasonable transit route (i.e. you have a good reason to pass through the UK)
- Demonstrate that you’re only passing through the UK on your way to another country and have no intentions of remaining in the UK
- Have the necessary documents (e.g., a valid visa or green card) to prove you can enter the third country
Do I need a Transit Visa for the UK?
Irish citizens do not require a Transit visa to travel through the UK. Also, if you hold a valid Irish biometric visa marked ‘BC’ or ‘BC VIS’, you will not need a Transit visa for the UK.
However, Irish residents who are nationals of the countries listed below must apply for a Transit visa to travel through the UK.
You will need a visa to transit the UK airside if you’re a national of:
| Afghanistan | Bangladesh | China |
| Albania | Belarus | Congo |
| Algeria | Burundi | Congo Dem. Republic |
| Angola | Cameroon | Cyprus |
| Egypt | Lebanon | Sierra Leone |
| El Salvador | Lesotho | Somalia |
| Eritrea | Liberia | South Africa |
| Eswatini (Swaziland) | Libya | South Sudan |
| Ethiopia | Malawi | Sri Lanka |
| Gambia | Moldova | Sudan |
| Ghana | Mongolia | Syria |
| Guinea | Myanmar (Burma) | Tanzania |
| Guinea-Bissau | Nepal | Turkey |
| India | Nigeria | Uganda |
| Iran | North Macedonia | Venezuela (non-biometric) |
| Iraq | Pakistan | Vietnam |
| Ivory Coast | Palestinian Territories | Yemen |
| Jamaica | Rwanda | Zimbabwe |
| Kenya | Senegal | |
| Kosovo | Serbia |
You need a visa to transit the UK landside if you’re a national of:
| Armenia | Azerbaijan |
| Bahrain | Guyana |
| Benin | Haiti |
| Bhutan Bolivia | Indonesia |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Jordan |
| Burkina Faso Cambodia | Kazakhstan |
| Cape Verde | Korea (Dem. People’s Republic) |
| Central African Republic | Kuwait |
| Chad | Kyrgyzstan |
| Colombia | Laos |
| Comoros | Madagascar |
| Cuba | Mali |
| Djibouti | Mauritania |
| Dominican Republic | Montenegro |
| Ecuador | Morocco |
| Equatorial Guinea | Mozambique |
| Fiji | Oman |
| Gabon | Peru |
| Georgia | Philippines |
| Qatar | Togo |
| Russia | Tunisia |
| Sao Tome e Principe | Turkmenistan |
| Saudi Arabia | Ukraine |
| Surinam | United Arab Emirates |
| Taiwan | Uzbekistan |
| Tajikistan | Venezuela (biometric) |
| Thailand | Zambia |
You do not need a Transit visa if you have one of the following:
- An EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- A Home Office travel document ( if, for example, you’re a refugee or stateless person)
- A Marriage Visitor Visa
- A Standard Visitor Visa
Also, travellers with valid entry visas to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA can pass through the UK without a Transit visa.
Types of Transit Visa UK
Overview
The type of Transit visa you need depends on whether you’ll go through UK immigration control. The Home Office issues two types of Transit visas.
- Direct Airside Transit Visa: For travellers changing flights in a UK airport without going through UK border control
- Visitor in Transit Visa: For persons going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours
You need a Standard Visitor visa if you intend to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours during transit. It allows you to stay in the UK for up to six months and is valid for up to two, five, or ten years. It is recommended if you frequently pass through the UK.
UK Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
You must apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you’re changing flights in a UK airport while travelling to another country and will not pass through UK border control. This is known as transiting airside.
A DATV is valid for only 24 hours, and you cannot enter the UK with this visa. You must remain at the airport even if your flight won’t leave for some hours, as this will mean going through UK border control.
UK Visitor in Transit Visa
The UK Visitor in Transit visa is for travellers who’ll enter the UK (transiting landside) on their way to another country. You need a Visitor in Transit visa if you’ll:
- Be changing flights in the UK en route to another country and going through UK border control. For example, if you have to check in your luggage for a connecting flight
- Be leaving the UK within 48 hours
- Not be studying, working, taking medical treatment, or accessing public funds in the UK
UK Transit Visa Application Process
You must apply for a Transit visa online on the UK Government’s official website. The steps to applying are as follows:
- Complete and submit the online application form.
- Upload all required supporting documents as listed on the visa form.
- Pay the applicable Transit visa application fee
- Book a biometric appointment at the nearest visa application centre.
- Attend your visa appointment to provide your biometric information (photo and fingerprints). You may also need to submit hard copies of your supporting documents during this appointment.
- Wait for a decision.
You’ll typically receive a decision on your Transit visa application within three weeks. However, you can get a priority processing service for an additional fee.
Documents Required for Transit Visa Application
The following documents are required for a UK Transit visa application.
- A current passport or valid travel document
- A valid residence permit, green card, or visa to prove that you’ll be allowed entry into your destination country if you’re not a national
- Proof of onward flight booking departing within 48 hours of arriving in the UK. You can use an electronic or printed copy of your flight ticket, a flight booking email, or a confirmation from a travel agent as evidence of your onward journey
- You may also be required to explain your reason for travelling and details of your accommodation arrangements in your destination country
You must bring your visa and other supporting documents when transiting through the UK.
Transit Visa Duration and Fees
A Visitor in Transit visa typically allows up to 48 hours into the UK. You need a Standard Visitor visa if you intend to stop in the UK for more than 48 hours during transit.
You must pay an application fee when applying for a Transit visa. The fees are as follows:
| Visa Type | Fee (£) |
|---|---|
| Transit Visa (Direct Airside Transit) | £39 |
| Transit Visa (Landside Transit) | £70 |
| Visa for Joining a Ship or Aircraft Crew | £70 |
There may be a slight difference in the fee depending on the country you’re applying from.
How Can Total Law Help?
If you are a non-EU/EEA national, you will likely need a Transit visa to travel through the UK. This visa type varies depending on your nationality and the length of your layover in the UK.
Total Law immigration lawyers specialise in helping travellers determine if they require a UK Transit visa and assist with the application process. Our team of immigration lawyers is well-versed in UK immigration policies and boasts several years of experience helping people from all across the globe obtain a UK visa.
Moreover, if you’re considering a long-term stay in the UK, we’re here to help. Whether it’s for work, study, or other purposes, we can guide you through the process of obtaining the appropriate visa. Our legal consultants are available to discuss your options and provide personalised assistance tailored to your needs.
For immediate support, feel free to contact us at +353 061 518 025 or fill out our online contact form. We understand that navigating immigration procedures can be complex, but with Total Law by your side, you can rest assured that you’ll receive expert guidance every step of the way.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are a non-EU/EEA national, you will likely need a Transit visa to travel through the UK.
No, you cannot obtain a Transit visa on arrival in the UK. You must apply for one, provide your biometric details at your local visa application centre, and receive a decision before travelling.
Depending on your nationality, you may need a Direct Airside Transit visa even if you won’t leave the airport.
