The UK immigration policies require you to have a visa to pass through the UK in transit. You will need a UK Transit visa if you pass through the UK border control for a change of airports or have a layover at a UK airport for less than 48 hours. The UK offers various types of transit visas based on the time you are required to stay in the UK. You might be allowed to remain in the airport or even leave the airport based on the visa you have applied for.
The UK offers two types of transit visas, based on whether you are crossing the UK border control. If you are not going through border control, you will be required to apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa, and for passing through the border control, you will be required to have a Visitor in Transit Visa.
Indian citizens flying to some other country via the UK will need a UK Transit Visa if they pass through the UK border control but leave the UK within 48 hours. You will have to apply for a UK Transit Visa even if you are not leaving the UK airport.
The following are the two types of UK Transit Visas:
Note: For stays more than 48 hours, you must apply for a UK Standard Visitor visa.
You would be eligible to apply for a UK Transit Visa if you:
The following are the documents required to apply for the UK Transit Visa:
The Steps to Apply for the UK Transit visa are:
Step 1: Fill out the visa application form
Step 2: Submit the documents required
Step 3: Provide biometrics information
Step 4: Wait for the visa to be processed
Step 5: Fly to the UK
The table below provides details of the cost of a UK Transit Visa:
Type of Transit Visa |
Cost (In Pounds) |
Direct Airside Transit Visa |
£35 |
Visitor in Transit visa |
£62 |
The standard processing time for a UK Transit Visa is around 2-3 weeks.
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