Do I need a Direct Air Transit Visa or Visitor in Transit Visa for the UK?

Do I need a Direct Air Transit Visa or Visitor in Transit Visa for the UK? - Silhouette of airplane landing gear transporting people or goods soaring over bright colorful sky

I am traveling from the United States to India via British Airways with a 4 hour layover in London. My current H1-B visa has expired, but I have the approval for my extension (I-797) and I plan to get the visa stamped in India.

  • Do I need a Direct Air Transit Visa (DATV) or a Visitor in Transit Visa.
  • Is there a list for the detailed procedure to apply for the relevant Visa.
  • Can I give and collect the passport in person from the consulate?


Best Answer

In general, Indian citizens do need a direct airside transit visa in this scenario. But you might be exempted based either on your visa (if you entered less than 6 months ago) or on the I-797 (but there are different types of I-797 so it's a little confusing). See gov.uk.

If you don't need to pass through UK immigration (e.g. to switch airports or collect your luggage), you don't need a visitor in transit visa. For a 4-hour layover with only one airline, I assume it's your case.

Since the airline will decide if you can board the plane or not, you might want to contact them to ask what their rules are.




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Do you need a visa for the UK if you are in transit?

You're going through UK border controlApply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you'll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours. You'll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if: you need to stay longer in the UK. you can prove you need to frequently pass through the UK over a longer ...

Is transit visa same as visitor visa?

In general, tourist visas are issued to those who plan to vacation in the country, while transit visas are issued to those who are passing through en route to another destination.

Do you need a visa if you are in transit?

In general, travelers in transit through the United States require valid C-1 visas.

Do you need a transit visa for connecting flights?

A connecting flight follows a route from point A to point B with a stop in point C (in this case, you will need a transit visa).



UK Transit Visitor Visa 2022 and UK Airside Transit Visa 2022 Requirements and Eligibility




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