Direct Airside Transit Visa
For changing flights in the UK without passing through border control.
Overview
What is a UK Transit Visit Visa and who needs one?
A UK Transit Visit Visa is for a person who is passing through the UK on the way to another country. It is not a tourism visa, work visa or family visit route. It is designed for a short and specific transit purpose only.
There are two main transit visa types. A Direct Airside Transit Visa is for passengers who change flights in the UK without passing through border control. A Visitor in Transit Visa is for passengers who need to pass through border control but will leave the UK within 48 hours.
Many transit problems happen because travellers choose the wrong route. A passenger who needs to collect luggage, change airport, stay overnight, pass border control, travel to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or transit through the UK regularly may need a different visitor strategy.
Latest position
What are the current visitor visa rules and fees?
2026 transit visa fee update
The current Direct Airside Transit Visa fee is £41.50. The current Visitor in Transit Visa fee for landside transit is £74.50. These fees may vary slightly depending on the country of application.
Two different transit routes
The correct visa depends on whether the traveller remains airside or passes through UK border control. Airline, airport and baggage arrangements are therefore important.
48-hour landside limit
A Visitor in Transit Visa is for passengers passing through border control and leaving the UK within 48 hours. Longer stays usually need a Standard Visitor visa.
ETA and existing visitor permission
Some travellers do not need a transit visa if they already hold valid ETA permission, certain UK visitor permission or another qualifying permission.
Key facts
UK Transit Visit Visa: key points before you apply
Visitor in Transit Visa
For passing through border control and leaving the UK within 48 hours.
Decision time
Standard transit visa applications are usually decided within 3 weeks after biometrics and documents are provided.
More than 48 hours
A Standard Visitor visa is usually required if the passenger needs to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours.
Regular transit
A long-term Standard Visitor visa may be more suitable for frequent transit over more than 6 months.
No work or study
Transit visitors must not work, study, access public funds or use the route for another visit purpose.
Eligibility
Who can qualify for a UK Transit Visit Visa?
A transit applicant must be genuinely passing through the UK to another destination and must be able to show that the UK is a reasonable transit route. The main reason for entering or passing through the UK must be transit, not tourism or another visitor purpose.
The applicant should have a valid travel document, confirmed onward travel and permission to enter the destination country, such as a visa, residence permit or other accepted evidence where required. If the person is not a national or resident of the destination country, the reason for travelling there may also need to be explained.
For a Visitor in Transit Visa, the applicant must intend and be able to leave the UK within 48 hours after arrival. The application should also show that the traveller will not work, study, receive medical treatment or access public funds in the UK.
Permitted activities
Which UK transit route is right for your journey?
Direct Airside Transit Visa
This is usually relevant where the passenger changes flights in the UK but does not pass through border control. It may apply where the traveller remains in the international transit area and does not need to collect baggage or change to a landside journey.
Visitor in Transit Visa
This is usually relevant where the passenger must pass through border control, for example to collect luggage, re-check baggage, change airport, leave the airport briefly or take a connection that requires landside entry, provided they leave within 48 hours.
Standard Visitor instead
A Standard Visitor visa may be needed where the traveller will stay in the UK for more than 48 hours, needs to transit regularly over a longer period, or is travelling through the UK to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man unless an exemption applies.
Documents
What documents are usually important for Transit Visit Visa?
The evidence should be tailored to the applicant’s purpose of visit, funds, sponsor support, travel history and reasons to return home. A strong application explains the visit clearly rather than relying on a long but unfocused document bundle.
Journey evidence
Onward flight or travel booking, connection details, airport transfer information and evidence that departure from the UK will happen within the required transit period.
Destination permission
Visa, residence permit, green card or other evidence showing the traveller is allowed to enter the final destination and any country they will pass through on the way.
Travel profile
Passport, immigration history, lawful residence in the country of application, financial evidence if relevant and explanation of why the route through the UK is needed.
Request a visitor visa document review
We can review your visitor evidence before the application is prepared and help identify gaps, contradictions and refusal risks.
Request Document ReviewFees
How much does Transit Visit Visa cost?
Direct Airside Transit Visa
£41.50
For passengers changing flights in the UK without passing through border control.
Visitor in Transit Visa
£74.50
For passengers passing through border control and leaving the UK within 48 hours.
ETA where applicable
£20
Some travellers may be able to transit using ETA permission instead of a transit visa, depending on nationality and route.
6-month Standard Visitor visa
£135
Usually relevant if the traveller needs more than 48 hours in the UK or wider visitor permission.
Long-term Standard Visitor visas
£506 / £903 / £1,128
May suit regular transit travellers where a Standard Visitor visa is appropriate.
Professional document review
Case-dependent
Advice cost depends on urgency, previous refusals, travel route complexity and the level of evidence review required.
Extension
Can this visitor visa be extended?
Transit visas are not designed for extension or a longer stay in the UK. A Visitor in Transit Visa is focused on leaving the UK within 48 hours, and a Direct Airside Transit Visa does not allow the traveller to pass through border control.
If the journey changes, a flight is missed, or the traveller needs to stay longer than expected, advice should be taken quickly because overstaying or using the wrong route can affect future travel and visa applications.
Settlement
Does this visitor route lead to ILR or settlement?
A UK Transit Visit Visa does not lead to ILR, settlement or British citizenship. It is a short, temporary route for passing through the UK only.
If the person wants to visit the UK properly, stay with family, attend business meetings, study, receive medical treatment, work or join a partner, a different immigration route should be considered before travel.
How we help
How Access Global supports Transit Visit Visa applicants
Choose the correct transit route before booking and travelling
We help travellers assess whether they need a Direct Airside Transit Visa, Visitor in Transit Visa, ETA, Standard Visitor visa or another visitor route, then prepare evidence around onward travel, destination permission and route suitability.
Process
Transit Visit Visa support pathway
1
Initial route check
We review nationality, passport, immigration history, destination, airline route, luggage arrangements and airport transfer details.
2
Transit type assessment
We assess whether the journey is airside, landside, more than 48 hours, regular transit or travel to the Common Travel Area.
3
Evidence strategy
We identify the onward travel, destination-entry, residence, financial and explanation evidence needed for the case.
4
Application support
We help structure the application and supporting documents around the correct transit route and travel purpose.
5
Travel readiness
We advise on documents to carry, border questions, route changes and future visitor planning where relevant.
Ask Access Global Immigration Visa Experts to review your visitor visa case
We can assess purpose of visit, permitted activities, financial evidence, sponsor support, home ties, travel history and refusal risks before the application is submitted.
FAQs
Transit Visit Visa FAQs
What is a UK Transit Visit Visa?
It is a visa for passing through the UK on the way to another country. The correct type depends on whether you stay airside or pass through border control.
What is the difference between a Direct Airside Transit Visa and a Visitor in Transit Visa?
A Direct Airside Transit Visa is for changing flights without passing through border control. A Visitor in Transit Visa is for passing through border control and leaving the UK within 48 hours.
Can I leave the airport with a UK transit visa?
Only a Visitor in Transit Visa may allow landside entry, and the traveller must leave the UK within 48 hours. A Direct Airside Transit Visa does not allow border-control entry.
How much does a UK transit visa cost?
The current fee is £41.50 for a Direct Airside Transit Visa and £74.50 for a Visitor in Transit Visa, subject to slight variation by country of application.
How long does a UK transit visa decision take?
Standard applications are usually decided within 3 weeks after biometrics and supporting documents are provided.
Do I need a transit visa if I already have a Standard Visitor visa?
A valid Standard Visitor visa can normally be used to transit landside, provided the traveller follows the visitor rules and travel conditions.
Do I need a transit visa if I have an ETA?
Some travellers with valid ETA permission do not need a separate transit visa. The correct position depends on nationality, documents and travel arrangements.
What documents are important for a transit visa?
Important evidence usually includes a valid passport, onward travel booking, destination visa or residence permit where required, and a clear explanation of the travel route.
Can I stay in the UK for more than 48 hours on a transit visa?
No. If you need to stay more than 48 hours, a Standard Visitor visa is usually required instead.
Can I work or study while transiting through the UK?
No. Transit visitors must not work, study, access public funds or use the transit route for another purpose.
Can I transit through the UK to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man?
This needs careful checking. A Standard Visitor visa is usually required for some routes through the UK to these destinations unless an exemption applies.
How can Access Global help with a transit visa?
We can assess whether you need a transit visa, identify the right route, review onward travel and destination-entry documents, and prepare a clear application strategy.