Visa to pass through the UK in transit
Overview
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:
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have a Home Office travel document, for example you’re a refugee or stateless person
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have a Standard Visitor visa
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have a Marriage Visitor visa
Types of transit visa
The visa you need depends on whether you’re going through UK border control when you arrive in the UK.
Your airline can tell you if you’ll go through border control.
If you’re not going through UK border control
Apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you’ll be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control.
If you’re going through UK border control
Apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you’ll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours.
If you’re staying in the UK for more than 48 hours
You’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of a Visitor in Transit visa if either:
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you need to stay more than 48 hours in the UK
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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.