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UK Transit Visa

The United Kingdom never fails to attract millions of visitors each year due to the iconic hustle and bustle of London, the untamed and enigmatic Scottish Highlands, the allure and romance of Cardiff or the astounding number of beautiful castles with its fascinating history of royal prominence.

The UK is indeed one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world image how exciting would it be if the flight you are taking for your destination is a stopover flight via the United Kingdom? Isn’t it, well if you are travelling to any other country via the United Kingdom, you might require a UK Transit Visa.

A UK transit visa is a visa that allows you to pass through the UK during transit. It is a permit that enables the applicant to travel to any other country via the United Kingdom. For example, if you are an Indian Passport holder travelling from Delhi to New York, with a layover in London, you will require a UK Transit Visa.

Types of UK Transit Visa

There are two main categories of Transit Visas. They are as follows:

Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) – You will need this type of visa when you land in the UK and if you are from outside European Economic Area (EEA). The DATV visa is needed when you have a layover for a few hours and then take a flight to your final destination from the same airport. DATV is valid only for 24 hours.
Visitor in Transit Visa– This visa is required by those passengers who need to change their airport or leave the airport premises and again go through the Immigration procedure. The passengers issued this visa are allowed to stay within the UK for 48 hours.

Note:

If your layover in the UK is for more than 48 hours, then you will need a Standard Visitor Visa UK.
You can also apply for a long-term Visitor in Transit visa if you prove that you need to frequently pass through the UK over a longer period.

Eligibility for the UK Transit Visa

To be eligible for a UK transit visa, you need to meet the following criteria: -

You can prove that you are in transit to another country with sufficient funds and the intention to travel.
You can prove that the only purpose of your visit to the UK is in transit.

Documents Required for the UK Transit Visa

To apply for a DATV, there is a certain set of documents that you will need. Here is a document checklist for UK visa:

You will need to provide proof that you are allowed to enter the country you are travelling to, such as:

A residence Permit
Green card
Valid visa

In case you are not a resident of the country you are further travelling to; then you are required to show the following documents:

An original passport with a validity of at least 6 months
Explain the sole purpose of your visit to that country
Accommodation/Hotel details
Flight details
Printed tickets
Biometrics Information

UK Transit Visa Exemption:

When you have a stopover in the UK, you require a Transit Visa, but based on certain criteria, specific passengers may be exempted from acquiring a transit Visa.

The Exemptions are as follows:

Passengers with valid visas from the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
Passengers with Permanent Residence card or Resident Visa of the US, New Zealand, Canada or Australia.
Passengers with a valid Irish biometric Visa.
Passengers with a diplomatic or official passport.

Processing Time for a UK Transit Visa

Normally, the processing time for a UK transit visa is 10 to 15 days. However, if there is a larger number of applications, the processing time could be extended to six weeks or longer.

UK Visa Fees

Types of UK Visas	Visa Validity	Stay Period	Entry Type	Visa Fees
6 Months Short Term UK Visa	6 Months	6 Months	Multiple Entry	INR 13,999/-
2 years Long Term UK Visa	2 Years	6 Months	Multiple Entry	INR 47,899/-
5 years Long Term UK Visa	5 Years	6 Months	Multiple Entry	INR 88,799/-
10 Years Long Term UK Visa	10 Years	6 Months	Multiple Entry	INR 1,09,899/-

FAQs

Q.Can I get a UK transit visa on arrival?

Ans - No, you will need to apply for the transit visa at the UK embassy or visa application centre in your country before you travel.

Q.Are Biometrics required for the UK transit visa from India?

Ans - Yes, your visa application will not be processed until you submit the biometric information along with the required documents at the visa centre.

Q.Can I apply for a UK transit visa from India?

Ans - Yes, you are supposed to apply for the UK transit visa at the UK embassy or visa application centre in your home country.

Q.Is a UK transit visa required for Indians?

Ans - Yes, Indians are supposed to apply for a UK transit visa if they are changing flights from the UK to another country.

Q.Is Heathrow airport allowing Indians to transit?

Ans - Yes, London Heathrow Airport has opened a new terminal for travellers visiting from its Red List countries, including India.

Q.How long is the UK transit visa Issued for?

Ans - UK transit visas are normally issued for 24 to 48 hours during your connecting flights from the country.

Q.Is a UK transit visa multiple entries?

Ans - Yes, It is a long-term visit visa for transit, which is valid for 2-10 years, but you cannot stay in the UK for more than 48 hours on each entry. If you plan to stay in the UK for more than 48 hours before travelling onward, you will need to apply for a standard visitor visa instead.

Q.Does a UK transit visa allow you to leave the airport?

Ans - You can apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you will be going through UK border control but make sure you leave the Kingdom within 48 hours.

Q.Do Indians need a UK transit visa for connecting flights?

Ans - Yes, you are required to have a UK Transit visa if you are changing flights in the UK on your way to another country within 48 hours.

Q.How long does it take to process a UK transit visa for Indians?

Ans - Normally, it takes 10 to 15 days to process a UK transit visa for Indians. However, it may get delayed due to some reasons such as complicated paperwork or a larger number of applications.

Q.When should I apply for the UK transit visa?

Ans - It is advisable that you must apply at least 3 months before your intended travel date for the UK transit visa.

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How Akbar travels will help you?

The nitty-gritty of obtaining a UK Transit Visa is complicated sometimes, but when you apply for your UK visa with Akbartravels.com, we take care of the whole process, right from applying for your visa online to scheduling your appointments to receive your visa. We are experts in the travel and tourism sector with over 40 years of experience. Moreover, from cheap flightstoUK, visa to accommodations,UKtour packages and everything in between, we can handle it all.

So, when applying for a UK Transit Visa, look no further. We are here to manage all your Visa hassles and ensure you have a joyful time while passing through the UK.

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