What types of visas are available for transit in the UK

Dear Mr Bassie,

I would like to know what type of visa I would need to obtain to just pass through the United Kingdom as I do not intend to stay over there.

I would appreciate any advice.

OO

Dear OO,

Persons might need a visa to pass through the United Kingdom (UK) in transit on their way to another country. Although, persons do not need a transit visa if they have one of the following:

• an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

• an EU Settlement Scheme family permit

• a Home Office travel document, for example he/she may be a refugee or stateless person

• a Standard Visitor visa

• a Marriage Visitor visa

Types of transit visa

It should be noted that there are two types of transit visas. The visa that is needed by persons will depend on whether they are going through UK border control when they arrive in the UK. The airline can advise whether persons will need to go through border control.

Direct Airside Transit visa

Persons should apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if they will be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control. Persons who are going through UK border control and will be leaving the UK within 48 hours should apply for a Visitor in Transit visa.

Just for clarity, please be aware that if staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, those persons will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of a Visitor in Transit visa if they either need to stay more than 48 hours in the UK or they need to frequently pass through the UK over a period of over six months. Persons who have an ETA do not need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

Those persons who are not going through border control might need a Direct Airside Transit visa if they are changing flights in the UK on their way to another country or will not be going through UK border control.

Check if a visa is needed

Persons may not have to apply for a visa. What they need to do will depend on their nationality and whether they need to enter the UK.

Persons will not need one if they have a valid:

• electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

• EU Settlement Scheme family permit

• Home Office travel document, for example you’re a refugee or stateless person

• Standard Visitor visa

• Marriage Visitor visa

Persons should note that a Direct Airside Transit visa costs £39. However, this may change slightly depending on which country the person is applying from.

Visitor in Transit visa

Persons who are going through border control might need a Visitor in Transit visa if they are:

• changing flights in the UK on their way to another country

• going through UK border control, for example to check in their luggage for a connecting flight

• leaving the UK within 48 hours

• not working or studying while in the UK

Persons may not have to apply for a visa. What they may need to do will depend on their nationality and whether they need to enter the UK. Just to be certain persons should check if they need to apply for a visa.

Again, persons should be aware that they do not need a transit visa if they have a valid:

• electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

• EU Settlement Scheme family permit

• Home Office travel document, for example you’re a refugee or stateless person

• Standard Visitor visa

• Marriage Visitor visa

Persons will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if they are staying in the UK for more than 48 hours. Please note that a Visitor in Transit visa costs £70. This may change slightly depending on which country the applicant is in.

Just for completeness, persons who need to pass through the UK regularly can also apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa With this visa persons can stay for a maximum of six months on each visit and their visa can last for two, five or ten years.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie is a Barrister/Attorney-at-Law who practices law in Jamaica. He is a Justice of the Peace, a Supreme Court Appointed Mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Chartered Arbitrator, The Past Global President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.K.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com