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As an Indian national, if your travel itinerary includes a brief stop in London, you may be wondering if a transit visa is required.
The answer isn’t as straightforward as one might hope, and various factors come into play. This comprehensive guide will outline everything you need to know about transit visa requirements for Indian nationals in London.
Why and when Transit Visa is Required in London for Indian nationals
If your international journey involves passing through London, you might be asking, “Do I need a transit visa?” The short answer is: It depends.
To begin with, the United Kingdom has two basic types of transit visas – the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) and the Visitor in Transit visa. If you’re not leaving the airport’s international transit area and your layover is less than 24 hours, you’ll generally require a DATV.
However, here’s the twist.
Indian travelers are DATV-exempt if they hold a valid visa for the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or if they hold a valid Irish biometric visa.
Also, if you hold a common format residence permit issued by an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you would not need a DATV.
But if not, you’d definitely need a Transit Visit, as an Indian, when transiting through London.
There is also a list of other exceptions here for generally any country you come from.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to leave the airport, even for a short period, or need to switch airports, you may still require a Transit visa, but this time a different type – Visitor Transit Visa.
This allows Indian nationals to enter the UK on their way to another country. But remember, you must leave the UK within 48 hours.
So, in essence, whether or not you need a transit visa in London largely depends on your specific travel plans and documents.
Understanding the Types of Transit Visas in the UK or London
You may think of a transit visa as a “brief stopover permit” – a document that allows you to pass through the country you’re transiting without officially entering it.
Yes, it is. But, let’s bring this down to London terms.
In the context of London, as we mentioned before, there are two types of transit visas: Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) and Visitor in Transit visa. Let’s start with the DATV.
A DATV is designed for travellers who will not leave the airport’s international transit area.
Related: Top European Countries that Do Not Require Transit Visa
This means, for instance, if you’re flying from Delhi to New York, with a layover at London’s Heathrow, you will stay within the airport’s international lounge area without passing through the UK Border control.
For this, a DATV could be required unless you fall into the exemptions we mentioned in the previous section.
The second type, the Visitor in Transit visa, is needed if you plan to leave the airport, say to catch a connecting flight at a different airport or if you plan a short visit to the city.
This visa grants you the permission to pass through UK border control, but remember, you must leave the UK within 48 hours.
The golden rule here, however, is to be aware of your itinerary specifics and visa status for other countries. These factors could influence the type of transit visa you’d need, if at all, for London.
How to go about acquiring a transit visa for London as an Indian citizen
The first thing to keep in mind is that applying for a transit visa isn’t much different from applying for a regular visa. But of course, as they say, the devil is in the details.
To start, you’ll need to complete an online application form. This is available on the UK government’s official website.
This form will ask for information about your travel plans, personal details, and financial situation, among other things. Remember, honesty is paramount when filling out these forms.
After completing the online form, you’ll be asked to schedule an appointment at a visa application centre. This is where you’ll submit your biometric information, which includes fingerprints and a digital photograph. You’ll also need to submit your passport and any other documents that support your application.
Now, what are these supporting documents, you ask? Well, this typically includes your confirmed flight tickets showing that you’re transiting through the UK, a valid visa for your final destination if it’s required, and proof that you can support yourself during your transit.
Once your application is submitted, it’s a waiting game. Typically, you can expect a decision within 3 weeks, but it could take longer during peak travel seasons or due to other factors.
Lastly, be sure to apply for your transit visa well in advance of your planned journey to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
Final Thoughts
To summarize, Indian travelers passing through London will generally need a transit visa if they plan to leave the airport, stay overnight, or if their connecting flight is on a different calendar day. The only exception would be when they have a valid visa from some tier-one countries or a permit from a European Economic Area (EEA) country.
