Direct Airside Transit visa
Stay in the transit area
- Arrive in the UK
- Follow flight connections
- Board the onward flight
Border & transit guide
UK Transit
Visa
Know which side of the border your connection uses.
Your nationality matters, but the first practical question is simpler: will your UK connection remain airside or pass through border control?
Official sourcesGrounded in GOV.UK guidanceRules checkedReviewed 31 August 2026Airside vs landsideThe route changes the visa typeConservative guidanceThe official checker decides
The route determines the visa
Which route applies to you?
Ask the operating airline whether your connection crosses UK border control. Airport, terminal, baggage and ticket arrangement can all change the answer.
VS
Visitor in Transit visa
Pass through border control
- Arrive in the UK
- Cross the border
- Complete the landside step
- Continue within 48 hours
Your airline can confirm whether the connection crosses the UK border. Ask specifically about baggage, terminals, airport changes and whether the transfer route remains airside.
Three checks, in order
Before you decide
Do not infer the answer from connection time alone. The official checker combines your nationality with the route and documents you hold.
Check nationality
Passport nationality determines whether a visa is normally required for transit.
Open the official checkerCheck border route
Confirm whether the connection is genuinely airside or requires UK border control.
See landside triggersCheck your documents
An ETA, existing UK permission or qualifying exemption document may change the answer.
Read the official overviewCurrent official figures
Fees and timing
Fees can vary slightly by application country and rules can change. Recheck the live GOV.UK pages before paying.
Published application fee.
Published application fee.
Usually, after application steps are complete.
Check the Standard Visitor visa route.
The official application path
How to apply
Both UK transit visa routes are applied for online. The exact form follows the answer from the official checker.
Check
Confirm whether you need a visa and which route applies.
Apply online
Complete the official application and pay the current fee.
Attend biometrics
Visit a visa application centre with your passport.
Travel prepared
Carry your permission and supporting documents.
The common border triggers
When airside becomes landside
If any of these apply, plan for a UK border crossing unless your airline confirms a different protected transfer process.
Collect checked baggage
Baggage reclaim normally sits beyond UK border control.
Change airport
Moving between airports means entering the UK.
Separate-ticket check-in
A new bag drop or check-in desk may require landside access.
No airside transfer
Some terminal routes require passengers to cross the border.
Clear answers, no shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
01Do I need a UK transit visa if I stay in the airport?+
Possibly. Some nationalities need a Direct Airside Transit visa even when they do not pass through UK border control. Use the official GOV.UK visa checker for your passport and route.
02What is the difference between a DATV and a Visitor in Transit visa?+
A Direct Airside Transit visa is for a connection where you remain airside. A Visitor in Transit visa is for a connection where you pass through UK border control and leave the UK within 48 hours.
03Does collecting baggage mean I go landside?+
Usually, yes. GOV.UK lists collecting baggage for a connecting flight as an example of going through UK border control. Confirm the exact baggage process with the operating airline.
04Can I change airports on a UK transit visa?+
Changing airports requires you to enter the UK, so it is a landside connection. Whether a Visitor in Transit visa, another visa, an ETA or an exemption applies depends on your nationality and documents.
05How long can I remain in the UK as a transit visitor?+
The Visitor in Transit route is for travelers leaving the UK within 48 hours. If you need to stay longer, GOV.UK says to use the Standard Visitor route instead.
06How long does a UK transit visa decision take?+
GOV.UK says a decision is usually made within 3 weeks after the application and visa-application-centre steps are complete. Apply early and check the current processing guidance.
Primary sources only
How this guide was verified
Visa types, border definitions, fees, documents and timing were checked against current GOV.UK pages. UK transit rules are nationality- and route-specific.
Editorial review: FlightBreak Editorial Team