Visa and Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) Nationals

Visa and Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) nationals

Visa nationals

Visa nationals are those who need a visa for every entry to the United Kingdom (UK), though some may be able to “Transit Without Visa”. Those who need visas for transit as well are listed below under Direct Airside transit. Read our Transit - visa application guide for more information.

Afghanistan / Georgia / Occupied Palestinian Territories
Albania / Ghana / Oman (but not holders of Diplomatic or Special passport)
Algeria / Guinea / Pakistan
Angola / Guinea Bissau / Peru
Armenia / Guyana / Philippines
Azerbaijan / Haiti / Qatar (but not holders of Diplomatic or Special passport)
Bahrain / India / Russia
Bangladesh / Indonesia / Rwanda
Belarus / Iran / Sao Tome & Principe
Benin / Iraq / Saudi Arabia
Bhutan / Ivory Coast / Senegal
Bolivia** / Jamaica*** / Serbia
Bosnia-Herzegovina / Jordan / Sierra Leone
Burkina Faso / Kazakhstan / Somalia
Burma (Myanmar) / Kenya / South Africa*
Burundi / Korea (Dem. People's Rep) / Sri Lanka
Cambodia / Kosovo / Sudan
Cameroon / Kuwait / Surinam
Cape Verde / Kyrgyzstan / Swaziland*
Central African Republic / Laos / Syria
Chad / Lebanon / Tajikistan
China, People's Rep.of / Lesotho* / Tanzania
Colombia / Liberia / Taiwan - but only if: visiting for longer than 6 months; or intending to work; or your passport does not include a personal identification number
Comoros / Libya / Thailand
Congo, Democratic Republic of / Macau (travel permit only) / Togo
Congo, Republic of / Macedonia / Tunisia
Cuba / Madagascar / Turkey
Cyprus, northern part of / Malawi / Turkmenistan
Djibouti / Mali / Uganda
Dominican Republic / Mauritania / Ukraine
Ecuador / Moldova / United Arab Emirates (but not holders of Diplomatic or Special passport)
Egypt / Mongolia / Uzbekistan
Equatorial Guinea / Montenegro / Vatican City (Holy See Service & Emergency passport holders only)
Eritrea / Morocco / Venezuela**
Ethiopia / Mozambique / Vietnam
Fiji / Nepal / Yemen
Gabon / Niger / Zambia
Gambia / Nigeria / Zimbabwe

* Since 1 July 2009, nationals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland need a visa to enter or transit through the UK.

** Since 18 May 2009:

Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) nationals

In addition to needing a visa to enter the United Kingdom, nationals of the following countries also need a visa to transit through the UK, known as Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV). See our Transit - visa application guide for more information.

Afghanistan / Kosovo
Albania / Lebanon
Algeria / Lesotho***
Angola / Liberia
Bangladesh / Macedonia
Belarus / Malawi
Bolivia** / Moldova
Burma / Mongolia
Burundi / Montenegro
Cameroon / Nepal
China, Peoples Republic of / Nigeria
Colombia / Occupied PalestinianTerritories
Congo / Pakistan
Congo, Democratic Republic of / Rwanda
Cyprus, northern part of / Senegal
Ecuador / Serbia(including documents issued by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo)
Eritrea / Sierra Leone
Ethiopia / South Africa*
Gambia / Sudan
Ghana / Somalia
Guinea / Sri Lanka
Guinea-Bissau / Swaziland***
India / Tanzania
Iran / Turkey
Iraq / Uganda
Ivory Coast / Venezuela**
Jamaica*** / Vietnam
Kenya / Zimbabwe

* Since 1 July 2009, nationals of South Africa need a visa to enter or transit through the UK.

Passengers exempt from the DATV requirement

Holders of certain documents are, regardless of nationality, exempt from the requirement to hold a Direct Airside Transit Visa when transiting the UK.

A transit passenger is not required to hold a transit visa if he holds, or a person with whom he arrives in the United Kingdom holds on his behalf:

a valid visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America and a valid airline ticket for travel via the United Kingdom as part of a journey from another country or territory to the country for which the visa is held;
a valid visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America and a valid airline ticket for travel via the United Kingdom as part of a journey from the country for which the visa is held to another country or territory;
a valid airline ticket for travel via the United Kingdom as part of a journey from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America to another country or territory, provided that the transit passenger does not seek to transit the United Kingdom on a date more than six months from the date on which they last entered Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America with a valid visa for entry to that country;
a valid USA I-551 Permanent Resident Card issued on or after 21st April 1998;
a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card issued on or after 28th June 2002;
a valid common format Category D visa for entry to an EEA State;
a valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA State pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002;
a diplomatic or service passport issued by the People’s Republic of China; or
a diplomatic or official passport issued by India; or
a diplomatic or official passport issued by Vietnam.

Notes:

A valid U.S. immigrant visa packet (form 155A/155B) is a valid visa for DATV exemption purposes.
An expired I-551 Permanent Resident Card issued on or after 21 April 1998 when accompanied by an I-797 letter issued by the Bureau of Citizenship authorising its extension, exempts the holder from the DATV requirement.
Holding either an I-512 Parole letter or an I-797C (Notice of Action) instead of a valid U.S. visa; or a Transportation Letter instead of a valid U.S. Permanent Residence Card issued on or after 21 April 1998; or a U.S Visa Foil endorsed, "NOT A VISA. FOIL PREPARED AT DHS REQUEST" does NOT qualify for exemption from the DAT visa requirement.
Holding a valid travel document with a U.S. ADIT stamp worded – “Processed for I-551. TEMPORARY EVIDENCE OF LAWFUL ADMISSION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE VALID UNTIL…. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED” does NOT qualify for exemption from the DAT visa requirement.
Whether holders of non-national (including refugee travel documents) require a DATV depends on their nationality and whether they qualify for one of the exemptions listed above. So, for instance, the holder of a non-national travel document (for example, a refugee travel document) who is a national or a citizen of one of the countries listed on the DATV list (for example, Afghanistan) will require a direct airside transit visa if they are travelling to the UK to transit on to a third country.

Transiting to the Republic of Ireland

Passengers must pass through immigration control in order to take a flight to Ireland. Visa nationals (and passengers qualifying for DATV exemption above) may Transit without Visa providing they fulfil the TWOV conditions and are properly documented for entry into Ireland.

DATV nationals transiting to Ireland must obtain a visit visa - not a Visitor in Transit visa which is only for transit to a destination outside the Common Travel Area (Rules HC395 paragraph 47 refers).

All visa nationals wishing to transit the UK but spend longer doing so than the 24 hours permitted under the TWOV concession must obtain a visitor in transit visa for stays up to 48 hours or a visit visa.

Transit - visa application guide

Last updated 13 October 2010

This guidance explains what you will need to do if you want to pass through the United Kingdom (UK) on your way 'in transit' to another country, and what the Immigration Rulessay. It is only a guide, but it aims to answer some common questions.

Questions

Do I need a visa if I am passing through the UK on my way to another country?
Visa nationals
Direct airside transit visa (DATV) nationals
I hold a non-national travel document. Do I need a DATV or a visa?
Am I exempt from the DATV requirement?
Do I qualify for transit without visa (TWOV)?
How do I apply for a 'visitor in transit' visa?
Can I use my visitor in transit visa more than once?
How do I apply for a direct airside transit visa (DATV)?
Can I use my DATV more than once?
More advice and information

Further information

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Do I need a visa if I am passing through the UK on my way to another country?

You will need a visa to pass through (transit) the UK on the way to another country if you:

are a visa national;
are a direct airside transit visa (DATV) national (see below); or
hold a non-national, including refugee, travel document.

In certain circumstances you may be able to transit the UK without a visa. See below under question “Do I qualify for transit without visa?” for more details.

Visa nationals

If you will be staying in the UK for up to 48 hours before you continue your journey, you will need a 'visitor in transit' visa. If you want to stay in the UK for longer than 48 hours, you will need to apply for a visit visa.
If you are arriving and departing the UK within 24 hours, in transit to a country outside the Common Travel Area (the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland collectively form a common travel area), an Immigration Officer may exercise discretion to allow you to pass through the UK on your way to another country without holding a visa. This is known as 'transit without visa' (TWOV). Further details are available below under the question “Do I qualify for transit without visa?”

Direct airside transit visa (DATV) nationals

DATV nationals are visa nationals who must have a visa to pass through the UK on their way to another country, even if they are not entering the UK or changing airports. Unless they qualify for exemption from the DATV requirement, they cannot transit without visa (TWOV). (You can get more information about DATV exemptions below.)

You can get a list of countries whose nationals need direct airside transit visas for the UK from this website on the Visa and transit visa nationals page, or from our visa application centres.
If you have a DATV, you will not be able to pass through UK Immigration Control, or collect any luggage on your journey through the UK. You will not usually be allowed to stay in the UK overnight to wait for a connection to continue your journey.

I hold a non-national travel document. Do I need a DATV or a visa?

This will depend on how your nationality is described in your travel documents.

If you are a DATV national the Immigration Rules for DATV nationals apply to you and you will need a direct airside transit visa, unless you qualify for exemption.

If you are not a DATV national, the Immigration Rules for visa nationals apply to you and you will need a 'visitor in transit' or visit visa unless you qualify for transit without visa (TWOV).

If you are recognised as 'stateless' under the 1954 UN Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, the Immigration Rules for visa nationals apply to you and you will need a 'visitor in transit' or visit visa unless you qualify for transit without visa (TWOV).

Holders of valid non-national travel documents issued by the UK do not need a UK visa to pass through the UK on their way to another country.

Transit by sea and land:

to the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
If you are a visa or DATV national passing through the UK by sea and land on your way to the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you will need a visit visa for the UK.
from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
If you are a visa or DATV national passing through the UK by sea and land on your way from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man to another country outside the UK, you will need a visitor in transit or visit visa for the UK.

Transit by air to and from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

If you are a visa national or an exempt DATV national passing through the UK by air on your way to or from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you may qualify for transit without visa.
If you are a DATV national passing through the UK by air on your way to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you will need a visit visa for the UK.
If you are a DATV national passing through the UK by air on your way from Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man to another country outside the UK, you will need a visitor in transit or visit visa for the UK.

Am I exempt from the DATV requirement?

You will be exempt from the DATV requirement and may be able to transit without visa if you hold one of the following.

A valid visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America and a valid airline ticket for travel through the UK as part of a journey from another country or territory to the country for which you have the entry visa.
A valid visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America and a valid airline ticket for travel through the UK as part of a journey from the country for which you have the visa to another country or territory.
A valid airline ticket for travel through the UK as part of a journey from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America to another country or territory, as long as you do not transit (pass through) the UK on a date more than six months after the date on which you last entered Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the United States of America with a valid visa for that country.
A valid USA I-551 permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998.
A valid Canadian permanent resident card issued on or after 28 June 2002.
A valid common format category D visa for entry to an EEA state – see our 'EEA and Swiss nationals' leaflet for a list of EEA states.
A valid common format residence permit issued by an EEA state under Council Regulation (EC) number 1030/2002.
A diplomatic or service passport issued by the People’s Republic of China.
A diplomatic or official passport issued by India.
A diplomatic or official passport issued by Vietnam.

Notes on DATV exemptions

A valid US immigrant visa packet (form 155A/155B) is a 'valid visa' for DATV exemption.
If you have an expired I-551 permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998 with an I-797 extension letter issued by the Bureau of Citizenship, you do not need a DATV.
If you have either:
an I-512 parole letter or an I-797C (notice of action) instead of a valid US visa; or
a transportation letter instead of a valid US permanent resident card issued on or after 21 April 1998;

you are not exempt and need a DATV.

If you hold a valid travel document with a US ‘ADIT’ stamp saying – 'Processed for I-551. TEMPORARY EVIDENCE OF LAWFUL ADMISSION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE VALID UNTIL [date]. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED', you are not exempt and need a DATV.
If you hold either an I-512 Parole letter or an I-797C (Notice of Action) instead of a valid US visa, or a Transportation Letter instead of a valid US Permanent Residence Card issued on or after 21 April 1998, or a US visa foil endorsed, "NOT A VISA. FOIL PREPARED AT DHS REQUEST", you will not qualify for exemption and will need a DATV.
Whether holders of non-national (including refugee) travel documents require a DATV depends on their nationality and whether they qualify for one of the exemptions listed above. So, for instance, the holder of a non-national travel document (such as a refugee travel document) who is a national or a citizen of one of the countries listed on the DATV list (for example, Afghanistan) will need a direct airside transit visa (DATV) if they are travelling to the UK in transit to a third country.

Do I qualify for transit without visa (TWOV)?

If you are a visa national or a DATV national who is exempt,an Immigration Officer may exercise discretion and allow you pass through the UK on your way to another country outside the Common Travel Area (the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland collectively form a common travel area) without a visa providing that you:

arrive at a UK port on a ship and leave on the same ship within 24 hours; or
arrive and leave by air within 24 hours and have no intention of staying in the UK (you can travel by rail or road between two airports);

and

have a confirmed onward booking that will leave within 24 hours of your arrival in the UK.

You must also have the documents you need:

to enter the country you are travelling to; and
for any other country that you may pass through on your journey.

Please note, however, that this concession is at the Immigration Officer’s discretion and there is no guaranteed right of entry.
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How do I apply for a 'visitor in transit' visa?

If you want to apply for a visitor in transit visa, you must be able to show that you:

have the necessary visa for the country you are travelling to;
are travelling to a country outside the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland;
can and intend to go straight to another country;
will be allowed entry to that country; and
qualify for entry as a visitor (read our 'Visitors' information leaflet for more information).

You will need to make your application online or fill in the following visa application form:

Application form VAF1H - Visitor in transit
VAF Guidance notes

Can I use my visitor in transit visa more than once?

Your visitor in transit visa will usually be valid for six months. You can use it to travel through the UK as many times as you like during that time, as long as your passport and visa for the country that you are travelling to are still valid. The visa will only be valid for entry to the UK if you meet these conditions each time you travel through the UK.