UK Transit Visa Checker

Airside transit means you stay within the airport's international transit area without passing through UK Border Force. You follow "Flight Connections" signs after landing and go through a security rescreen before reaching your departure gate. Landside transit means you pass through UK immigration — for example, to collect checked baggage, change terminals via landside transport, stay at a hotel, or leave the airport.

A DATV is a visa that allows nationals of certain countries to change flights at a UK airport without entering the UK through immigration. It costs \u00a341.50 and permits you to stay in the international transit area for up to 24 hours. First-time applicants receive a 3-month validity, while regular travellers can get up to 2 years.

If you are staying airside (not passing through UK immigration), US citizens currently do not need an ETA. There is a temporary exemption for airside transits at Heathrow and Manchester airports. However, if you go landside (collect bags, change terminals, etc.), you will need an ETA costing \u00a320.

Indian nationals are on the DATV-required list. If you are transiting airside, you need a DATV (\u00a341.50) unless you hold a valid visa or permanent residence permit for the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, or a valid EU/EEA residence permit. If you are transiting landside, you need a Visitor in Transit visa (\u00a374.50).

Only if you are eligible to enter the UK. Non-visa nationals need an ETA (\u00a320). Visa nationals need a Standard Visitor visa or Visitor in Transit visa. If you only have a DATV, you cannot leave the international transit area.

If you hold a valid US permanent residence card (green card), you are exempt from needing a DATV for airside transit. This also applies to valid Canadian PR cards, Australian PR visas, and New Zealand PR visas. The exemption even applies to recently expired visas for these countries if it has been less than 6 months since you last entered that country with the valid visa.