Do I need to get a transit visa to explore London during a layover?
Details: I hold a Indian passport with a valid and unexpired US student visa (F1). I would be travelling from Los Angeles to Mumbai via a 18 hr layover at London Heathrow airport in December 2012.
Best Answer
1) You don't have to apply for a transit visa if you are eligible for a Transit Without Visa (TWOV) concession. The rules for TWOV are outlined here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/carriers/ukvisarequirements.pdf
Indian citizens may not TWOV in general. However, it looks like you meet the following exception:
TWOV is a concession which does not apply to nationals of the countries shown above in red who need visas even when in direct airside transit unless they are in possession of one of the following documents:
...
(ab) 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 in respect of which the visa is held to another country or territory;
So you should be able to TWOV.
2) You can do sightseeing.
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Can I visit London during layover without visa?
No. As long as you stay in the Hathrow international terminal for that 3 hours layover, you will not need a transit visa. If you are changing airports, like Heathrow to Gatwick, then you will need th transit visa.Do I need transit visa for layover in Heathrow Airport?
At London (Heathrow), there's the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV). \u201cIf you're transiting London you need DATV. But if you're travelling, say, to the US, there are exemptions. Those with a valid US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese visa can travel to any country via London without DATV.Do you really need Transit Visa for UK
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