Direct Airside Transit

Direct Airside Transit

This page explains what a direct airside transit visa is and where to find more information on applying for one. In some circumstances you may need a visitor in transit visa instead, or a visit visa. If you are in any doubt about whether or not you need a visa, you should check with UK visa services before you travel.

If you wish to travel to the United Kingdom in order to travel on to another destination without passing through United Kingdom border control and you do not qualify to transit the United Kingdom without a visa, you will need a direct airside transit visa (often called a DATV), unless the direct airside transit visa exemptions apply. A direct airside transit visa does not entitle you to enter the United Kingdom and go past United Kingdom border control. If you wish to enter the United Kingdom you will need to apply for either a visitor in transit visa or a visit visa. Some transit travelers do not need a visa to pass through the United Kingdom on the way to another country.


A direct airside transit visa is necessary if you are a national or citizen of one of the countries that are not covered by the transit without visa concession. However, certain nationals are exempt from needing a direct airside transit visa and certain other passengers do not qualify to transit using a direct airside transit visa and will need another type of visa.


If you are transiting to the Republic of Ireland you must pass through United Kingdom border control (see Entering the United Kingdom) in order to take a flight to Ireland. If you are a visa national or you qualify for exemption from the need to have a direct airside transit visa, you may transit without a visa providing you meet the conditions of the transit without visa concession and have the correct documents for entry into Ireland. If you are a national of a country to which the transit without visa concession does not apply and you are transiting to Ireland, you will need to hold a visit visa for the United Kingdom. A direct airside transit visa or visitor in transit visa cannot be used to travel to Ireland.
If you are a visa national and pass through immigration control because you are stopping in the United Kingdom for more than 24 hours, you will need a visitor in transit visa. If you intend staying for more than 48 hours you will need to apply for a visit visa for the United Kingdom.
The leaflet The UK’s DATV Regime (PDF 84K opens in new window) provides more information on visa requirements when passing through the United Kingdom.
Details of what visa you may need and how to apply for one are on the visa services website.


Requirement of Documentation
In transit through the UK

  • Countries to which the transit without visa concession does not apply
  • Direct airside transit visa and visitor in transit visa
  • Exemptions from direct airside transit visa

This page explains what type of visa you may need when transiting through the United Kingdom. If you are in any doubt about whether or not you need a visa, you should check with UK visa services before you travel.
You will not need a visa if you are a non-visa national, or if you are a visa national who qualifies for the transit without visa concession or exemptions from direct airside transit visas.
If you are a national or citizen of certain countries, you cannot transit through the United Kingdom using the transit without visa concession. See Countries to which the transit without visa concession does not apply for a list of these countries.


If your country is not covered by the transit without visa concession you will need to apply for a direct airside transit visa or a visitor in transit visa if you wish to transit the United Kingdom.


If you are travelling on to the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pass through United Kingdom border control (see Entering the United Kingdom) in order to take a flight to Ireland. If you are a visa national or you qualify for exemption from the need to have a direct airside transit visa, you may transit without a visa providing you meet the conditions of the transit without visa concession and have the correct documents for entry into Ireland. If you are a national of a country to which the transit without visa concession does not apply and you are transiting to Ireland, you will need to hold a visit visa for the United Kingdom. A direct airside transit visa or visitor in transit visa cannot be used to travel to Ireland.


If you are a visa national and pass through United Kingdom border control because you are stopping in the United Kingdom for more than 24 hours, you will need a visitor in transit visa or a visit visa. See Direct airside transit visa and visitor in transit visa for more information.


Click here for more information about DAT Visa