Request for Transit Visa

Request for Transit Visa - Metro station with passengers on platform

I am travelling to Nigeria on British Airways from America on 18th December with a stop over for 15hrs waiting before my content flight at Heathrow Airport on 19th December, 2017, can I get a transit visa for sight seeing.?



Best Answer

No. A transit visa is only available if you are in transit within that, you going sight seeing would be in breach of the visa conditions. See this link for more information.

A transit visa will allow you to change airports within the UK, example would be if your flight arrives at Gatwick but your next flight takes off from Heathrow. A transit visa would allow you to leave Gatwick and travel to Heathrow, it would not allow you to stop in London to see some sights.

You could apply for a Visitor in Transit Visa. This will allow you to leave the airport and return again a few hours later. However, if you are from the USA then you might not need a visa at all. The UK and US have a "special relationship" which should allow you entrance to the UK for up to 6 months without a visa.

I suggest you take this short quiz and see what options you are given.




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Quick Answer about "Request for Transit Visa"

  • Airport transit visa application form.
  • Your passport with six-month validity and blank pages.
  • Passport identity pictures.
  • Travel health insurance.
  • Travel ticket to your destination country.
  • Visa for your destination country (if required).
  • Financial evidence that you can support your trip.


  • What is transit visa required?

    A transit visa allows you to pass through the border controls of the country you plan to transit in to board your outbound flight or boat. You cannot stay in the country, however. For example, you may be required to get a transit visa if: You are changing transport in a country to travel to another destination.

    Which countries ask for transit visa?

    This means that passport holders of one of the countries listed above will need a transit visa regardless of the EU/Schengen country they are set to transit on their way to their destination country....The joint list consists of:
    • Afghanistan.
    • Bangladesh.
    • The Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    • Eritrea.
    • Ethiopia.
    • Ghana.
    • Iran.
    • Iraq.


    Do you need a transit visa for connecting flights?

    Most countries that normally require that you have a visa, do not require the visa if you are a transit passenger, someone who is only transiting through the airport. As you don't go through immigration, and you don't enter the country, hence no visa is needed.

    How long does it take for a transit visa to be approved?

    In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. Sometimes it can take up to 30 days if more time is needed, and up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.



    How to Get a Transit Visa to the UK or USA | Full Information UK/ US Transit Visa




    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Elena Saharova, Andrea Piacquadio, Pixabay, Tara Winstead