Do I need a UK or Ireland transit visa when flying from the US to a Schengen country? [duplicate]

Do I need a UK or Ireland transit visa when flying from the US to a Schengen country? [duplicate] - UK flag on creased paper

I am travelling to Budapest and therefore have a Schengen Visa. I hold an Indian passport and a valid US visa. I'm travelling from Chicago-Heathrow-Budapest and returning by Budapest-Dublin-Chicago.

Would I need a transit visa for UK/Ireland?

UPDATE

Hoping this will help someone someday.

I was not allowed to board my return flight (BUD-DUB-ORD) because I do not hold an overnight Irish Transit Visa. They said I could have transited happily if the connecting flight was in the same day, but because I would have to originally land at 10 PM and catch the connecting flight next morning at 10 AM, I needed a transit visa. Well, I thought it was BS, but couldn't help comply with the rules. I booked another last minute ticket and flew via Warsaw via LOT.



Best Answer

You've not told us your nationality, so we can't say for certain. Also, you haven't said if you're changing airports, or if you want to leave the airport at any point even if not.

The UK now requires nationals of quite a few countries to have a visa when transiting through the UK, including airside transit. That visa could be a UK transit visa, or it could be a visa for certain destination countries. The US is on that list, so even if you would normally need a transit visa for the UK, if you're in transit on the way to/from the US and hold a valid visa for the US, you don't need a UK visa to transit.

There's a handy widget on the UKBA website which helps you work out if you'll need a transit visa or not, based on your nationality, destination and transit type. They also provide quite a bit of information there.

For the "Transit without visa concession" bit, which allows you to transit through the UK to certain countries, see the Do I Need a Transit Visa page and then click to expand the "'Transit without visa' concession" section for details. Currently, if you have a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa and are transiting through the UK then you don't need a visa.

You might also find this past question useful: Do I need a UK or Ireland transit visa when flying from the US to a Schengen country?




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Do I need a transit visa for a connecting flight in Europe?

A transit visa is a travel document allowing you to pass through another country until you reach your destination. For example, if you are traveling from India to the US, but you need to stop in the Schengen Zone to continue your flight for the US, you require a transit visa for the Schengen Area.

Do US citizens need a transit visa for Ireland?

Nationals of some states or territorial entities are required to be in possession of an Irish transit visa when arriving at a port of entry in Ireland for the purposes of passing through a port (airport, seaport) in order to travel to another state. A transit visa does not permit you to enter Ireland for any purpose.

Do I need UK visa for transit to Ireland?

You might need to apply for a visitor visa to travel through the UK to get to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland. You'll usually need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa unless you're exempt. You do not need a UK visitor visa if: you have a valid visa for the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Do you need a Schengen visa for transit?

If you are traveling through an airport in the Schengen area, even if you are not leaving the terminal, you may need to obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa. The requirements stipulating your entry into a Schengen Airport as a third-country national are determined by your resident status and citizenship.



Do you really need Transit Visa for UK




More answers regarding do I need a UK or Ireland transit visa when flying from the US to a Schengen country? [duplicate]

Answer 2

You haven't mentioned what your nationality is or whether you're a resident of any third country.

Having said that, in most countries (US being a notable exception), you can Transit Without Visa (TWOV) as long as the connection time is less than 24 hours. In your case thus you do not need a transit visa - as long as you remain at the airport.

Answer 3

Depending on your unique situation, use this official resource for finding if you need a visa.

Anecdotal: I have heard of cases where the departure flights from the US forbid boarding due to the absence of required transit visa for layovers in London.

On the other hand, if you plan on stepping out of the airport, you will, of course, need a tourist visa, per your country of citizenship.

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