GovWire

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You might need a visa to pass through the UK in transit (on your way to another country).

Check if you need one before you apply.

You do not need a transit visa if you:

• have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

• have a Home Office travel document, for example youre a refugee or stateless person

• have a Standard Visitor visa

• have a Marriage Visitor visa

Types of transit visa

The visa you need depends on whether youre going through UK border control when you arrive in the UK.

Your airline can tell you if youll go through border control.

If youre not going through UK border control

Apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if youll be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control.

If youre going through UK border control

Apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if youll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours.

If youre staying in the UK for more than 48 hours

Youll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of a Visitor in Transit visa if either:

• you need to stay more than 48 hours in the UK

• you need to frequently pass through the UK over a period of over six months

If you have an ETA, you do not need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.