Visa to pass through the UK in transit

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If you're going through border control (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

You may not have to apply for a visa. What you need to do depends on your nationality and whether you need to enter the UK. Check if you need to apply for a visa.

If you will not be going through UK border control, check if you need a Direct Airside Transit visa instead.

You do not need a transit visa if you have a valid:

You need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you’re staying in the UK for more than 48 hours.

How to apply

Check how to apply.

How much it costs

A Visitor in Transit visa costs £64. This may change slightly depending on which country you’re in.

Travel to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland

You might need to apply for a visitor visa to travel through the UK to get to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland.

You’ll usually need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa unless you’re exempt.

You do not need a UK visitor visa if:

  • you have a valid visa for the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

  • you have a valid Irish biometric visa (marked ‘BC’ or ‘BC BIVS’ in the ‘Remarks’ section)

If you need to pass through the UK regularly

You can also apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa if you need to pass through the UK in transit regularly over a longer period. You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit and your visa can last for 2, 5 or 10 years.