Video transcription
Welcome to another edition of Travelstart’s FAQ Friday with me, Nick Paul. This week we are talking about UK Transit Visas and for those of you who are avid FAQ Friday subscribers, you will know that we have covered this before. So why are we covering it again? Well, quite simply, there have been a few changes. So let’s have a look at what these are.
Previous UK Transit Visa rules
Previously, travellers transiting the UK would have needed a Transit Visa except if they are travelling to the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and held a visa or valid residency permit for those countries.
What is the major change?
While those rules are still true, you are now allowed to transit via the UK to any destination if you hold any of those 4 visas I mentioned earlier.
Category D EEC Visa
Also included in this rule are holders of a valid Category D EEC Visa. The EEC is the European Economic Community. It is similar to but not exactly the same as the Schengen Area. A Category D Visa is a long-stay visa for the purposes of work, study, or retirement in an EEC country.
Irish Biometric Visa Holders
Also exempt from a UK Transit Visa are holders of Irish Biometric Visas. South Africans rarely hold these kind of visas as we don’t need a visa to enter Ireland for the purposes of tourism. If you don’t have this visa for Ireland, you will need a visa to transit the UK on your way to or from the Republic of Ireland.
When will you need a Transit Visa to travel via the UK?
NB: Everyone who doesn’t hold a valid visa or residency permit for the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand will need a transit visa to travel via the UK, except in the situations mentioned above.
There are a few situations where you will still need a Transit Visa to travel via the UK. These are situations like when you are travelling to the Schengen States on a Category C or Tourism Visa. You will also need a Transit Visa if you transit overnight in the UK. And thirdly, there is the landside transits. These are where you collect your luggage and pass through immigration before connecting to your next flight, except if you are transiting landside on the way to the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand and hold that valid visa for those countries.
Also, as mentioned above: If you don’t have a biometric Irish visa and are transiting the UK to or from the Republic of Ireland, you will need a visa to transit the UK regardless of the fact that you hold one of the other visas mentioned above.
When do these changes come into effect?
It is important to note that these changes only come into effect from 1 December 2014.
How much does a UK Transit Visa cost?
So what happens if you still need a Transit Visa? There’s good news there too. The price has gone down to just 30 Pounds for that visa which is currently around R550.
So that’s it from me for this week on FAQ Friday. If you’ve got any travel-related questions, please ask them in the comments section below and please remember to subscribe to our channel. Thanks!
I was born in Manchester in1945. I emigrated to South Africa in 1975 and have been back multiple times to visit family. However my passport expired 2 years ago. If I wanted to visit the UK again, would I be refused entry with my expired passport?
Hi Arthur,
Thanks for reaching out.
Ones passport would need to be valid for 6 months from date of return on their ticket with 2 blank pages to be allowed to travel. If one is flying on a one way ticket to the UK on a British Passport your passport would need to be valid. The airline will not allow one to travel on an expired passport.
We do ask that you contact the Embassy and airline before booking your ticket.
Hi There,
I do have a Valid Canadian PR and traveling via London from Karachi to LHR on Eithad Air (Terminal4), and than Air Canada from LHR (Terminal 2) to Toronto. Layover is 4 hrs.
Do i need an any kind of transit visa?
Please let me know and thanks alot.
Hi Roni,
I’ve done a search and found the following information:
“”Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV), in order to board an aircraft, ship or train to the U.K., even if only in transit. This is true even if you have a valid Canadian Permanent Resident card. You need a visa. Visa processing can take three months.””
We do recommend you contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency to get the most up to date information.
hi Nick will appreciate it if i can be replied by mail i want to know if i need a uk transit visa i am a Nigerian traveling to Boston on virgin atlantic airline flight i have a 24 hours layover at heathrow.can i enter the uk with my usa b1 b2 visa
thank you
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
Hi I am on a Combo card I-512 USA EAD card/AP and SA passport can I transit UK on way back to USA..was on a K!, but replaced by valid Combo card.thku layover UK 5hrs
Hi Eiran,
For this I would suggest you contact the Embassy direct to get the most up to date information.
Let them know what travel documents you have, passport you travelling on and the route you travelling on. They will be able to assist.
Please I’m traveling to Jamaica from Nigeria and I have a valid visa.i have booked my flight which is scheduled 23th of August. I have applied for UK transit Since 15th of August. now my question is
1.how long will it take to come out knowing the date of my flight departure.?
2.its there any possibility for them to reject issuing a transit visa after all the documents of mine being authentic?
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I am not sure on the processing time when applying from Nigeria. With regards to being granted a visa. This is up to the Embassy official. We are not able to advise on this.
I am a South African national. I have a valid USA visa. I received a free return ticket with Emirates from JHB to London. However, I am planning to fly from London to Spain on the same day. I do not have any checked in luggage so I plan to stay airside in London. I will book separate ticket from London to Barcelona (either with Vueling or British Airways). I also have a Schengen Spain visa. I will return to London from Barcelona to catch my Emirates flight back to South Africa, again on the same day (flight arrives and departs in same Heathrow terminal). Will I still require a transit visa?
Hi Anastasia,
South African passport holders transiting the UK as part of their flight enroute to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND or AUSTRALIA may travel to the UK under the “Transit without a Visa” (TWOV) concession. This will allow passengers to connect to the next leg of their route without a visa provided that the passenger:
Has a confirmed flight to the next destination (USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia)
Has the correct documents to enter their next destination (i.e. a valid visa to the US, Canada, New Zealand or Australia)
Will be leaving the UK within 24 hours of arrival.
The TWOV concession allows passengers to connect to onward flights both airside or at an alternative airport as long as the connecting flight to the onward destination is taken within 24 hours
However these rules could have since changed. I would contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency. Mention that you are travelling to Spain via the UK and have a valid US Visa, ask if this will cover you while in transit. They will be able to advise if you will need a UK transit visa or not.
Hi,
I have a national D visa (1 year) from Lithuania because I am exchange student there. So could you please tell me that can I use a flight with stop change in London ??? or I need transit visa??
Hi Perin,
This depend on the passport you are travelling on.
Even if you have a Student visa for Lithuania airline check-in staff and Customs and Immigration look at the passport you are travelling on.
does my wife needs visa,if she have norwegian residence permit,but her flight from the Phillipines goes thru the UK
Hi Vello,
Thanks for getting in touch.
To my knowledge the rules apply on what passport the passenger is travelling on.
Best to contact the Embassy or official visa handling agency. They will be able to provide you with the most up to date information.
thanks
I have an Indian passport and visiting USA on valid tourist visa. I am travelling with American Airlines and layover at Heathrow airport for 1hr and 30 minutes while going and 2hrs.30minutes in return. Do I need transit visa? I have to stay inside the terminal and will neither collect my luggage nor will pass through immegeration.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
Which counties are covered by UK multiple transit visa for south African passport holder?
(Perhaps does Australia, new zeland , canada , usa already covered?)
Hi Tebogo,
No other country is covered by a UK visa. The UK is not like a Schengen Visa where it’s part of other Schengen Countries.
The UK visa will cover you for your stay when visiting the UK. If you wanting to visit America you need to apply for a US Visa. If you wanting to visit New Zealand you need to apply through the New Zealand Embassy and so on.
Please can you give my the new rules about transit visas> We are South African citizens and flying from OR Tambo with British Airways to France via London.We apply for a Schengen Visa. Arrived the morning in LHR on terminal 5, leaving 1 hour later also on terminal 5 to France also with BA. Our luggage is forward to France.As far as my knowledge we use the same ticket.
Do we need a transit visa.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Yes you would need a UK transit visa when transiting via the UK onto France.
However we do recommend you contact the UK Embassy or official visa handling agency direct as they will be able to provide you with the most up to date information.
Hi,
I am an Indian passport holder and will be travelling to Toronto from India via London (Heathrow airport) on visitor visa.
My question is will I be needing a transit visa even when my layover is for 7.5hrs and connecting flight is through heathrow itself (guess same terminal as well, till further notice)
thanks.
Hi Anita,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
Hi i am indian passport holder residing in UAE and traveling Washington via LHR. Need transit in UK. Flight departrue and arrival in same terminal.
Hi Mohan,
Thanks for getting in touch.
You welcome to contact the airline you thinking of travelling on.
They will call up up their flight details and advise on departure times and arrival as well as the terminals.
Hi – I live in Canada on a temporary residence visa (student visa) and I hold the Egyptian Passport. I am heading to Russia for the World Cup and have nearly 22hrs layover in London Heathrow. Can I enter London for a tour or to visit friends without holding a valid UK Visa?
Hi Salah,
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
So we are traveling from SA to Venice via London , we have a connecting flight within 1hour 45 min , so will we need the transit visa
Hi Renee,
That is correct. If you are transiting via the UK on your way to Europe you will need to apply for a UK transit visa.
Hi.
I have read many many many sources of information about the transit through UK, so I got a bit confused.
My mom and I are travelling to America through London, Gatwic.
My mom has Green Card to America, I have Irish Residence and B1B2 USA visa, we both are Ukrainian nationality and we have Ukrainian passports.
So, I have a question.
We have a flight and USA is the final destination. As I understood correct, all our tickets are separate, we flight with different airlines and we will have to pick up the luggage.
In this case, staying in UK just for 2.5 hours, will we need transit visa or not?
Some sources say yes, some say no.
I would really appreciate if you give me answer.
I have checked the http://www.gov.uk, and if I understood correct, if we have luggage that will be collected in UK, we need to get visa, and if we don’t have to collect luggage, can I presume we don’t need visa?
Thank you
I would really appreciate if you clarify this moment.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
South African passport holders transiting the UK as part of their flight enroute to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND or AUSTRALIA may travel to the UK under the “Transit without a Visa” (TWOV) concession. This will allow passengers to connect to the next leg of their route without a visa provided that the passenger. I am not sure if the same rules apply for Ukrainian passport holders.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
Hi, My wife and kids are traveling to India via UK (London Heathrow). Their Visa got expired by have a valid I94 till oct 2018. I94 is a valid high level US document to be legally live in USA. Since they are going through heathrow, my wife has applied for transit visa as the current L2 visa is expired. In her application form she has given our children as dependent and also mentioned that they are also traveling with her. Do we need to individually apply transit visa for each child? or is it only for the main applicant (my wife). Please confirm
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch.
As each child travels on their own passport they need to also need to have their own UK transit visa.
Hello my name is Daniel,
I am travelling from Malta (Airmalta) to London, London to Fortlauderdale (Norwegian) but I have a 4 hours layover in Gatwick airport. My concern is that I need to cross the border control due to Airline requirements. Do I need to ask for a UK transit Visa even if I have a Vigent US Visa?
I forgot to say I am from Colombia
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
Hello
I have a Schengen Visa Type D and i have an Indian Passport. I m traveling from Hannover to New Delhi via British Airways and my stop over at London Heathrow Airport is for 4hrs. So do i need to have a UK transit visa?
Hi there,
To my knowledge, you would require a transit visa while in transit in the UK. However, we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
Hi Nick,
I am an Indian Passport Holder, and soon i will be traveling from Singapore to Prague via London on British Airways flight.
I have a valid Multiple entry visa to new Zealand expiring in September 2018. My traveling data via London is 29th May 201 and return 16 June 2018.
Do I still need to get a DATV ?
Hi Sach,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
Hi All,
I am in a little dilemma. My Mom, sister and niece( all Indian citizen) are flying from Mumbai to Detroit USA on visitors visa with 17 hours overnight layover in London LHR. Arriving at terminal 4 and then after layover, catching flight from terminal 3 to Detroit. Neither the booking website nor the virgin atlantic airlines are giving the definite answer to if they would need a transit visa or not.
Can someone please reply back to answer if they would need a transit visa or not? Also, If embassy is the best to answer, how to contact UK embassy?
Hi Rahul,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I’m afraid we do not specialise in visa related queries for foreign passport holders. Please contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise if a visa or transit visa is required and if so what the cost would be, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.
I am Joy , Presently in Muscat, Oman wish to travel from Muscat to Dublin through U.K.
there is any chance to prepare U.K. transit visa for this Ireland visit.
Kindly send the details how we can apply for the visa to Dublin, Ireland. and any transit visa is required while traveling through U.K.
Looking forward to your kind reply
Hi there,
Thanks for contacting us.
For this you will need to contact the UK Embassy direct. They are the ones granting the visa’s and will be able to advise you on the correct procedures they need you to follow when applying for a transit visa while in transit in the UK. What documents you require, the cost as well as answer any other questions you might have.
I am not sure what passport you are travelling on, so you will also need to contact the Irish Embassy to get the relevant info required.