London Transit Visa for Indian

Is transit visa required for London? Well, the answer is yes. An Indian national transiting through any of the London airports requires a valid London transit visa i.e.  UK transit visa . London has 6 international airports and several smaller ones. An Indian may need to change flights from London airports while travelling to another country. It is transiting or layover. Thus it is necessary to know types of London transit visa for Indian passport holder, its process and cost for Indians.

Types of London transit visa for Indian

Indians have to apply for UK transit visa for transiting purpose at any London airport. There are different types of transit visa for London airports according to your transit requirements and stay period.

1. Visitor in Transit Visa – It allows you to do the following things in a London airport:

• • Change flights to your destination.
  • pass through UK border control to collect your baggage 
  • Leave London within 48 hours for your connecting journey
  • You cannot work or study in London.

2. DATV – DATV stands for Direct Airside Transit Visa. It allows you to change flights through any London airports. You cannot pass through UK border control at all.
3. For aircraft crew: Visit purpose of joining aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft.

Therefore, Indians need transit visa based on the fact whether they pass UK border control or not. Your airline may help you to tell whether you need to pass UK border control. 

London transit visa validity

London transit visa cost

How to get London transit visa?

 You can apply online and pay the visa fess for London transit at GOV.UK website. Thereafter, you will be redirected to the VFS website to book an appointment at your nearest VFS visa application centre.  Go to the VAC on the day of your appointment and submit your original documents, receipt and transit visa form. The visa will take some time to be processed. The VFS VAC will inform you when to collect your visa and documents.

Follow the steps below to obtain a London Transit Visa from India:

1. Identify the type of transit visa you want from UK Visas and Immigration website.
2. Begin your visa application at (visas-immigration.service.gov.uk).
3. Select your desired language.
4. Choose your country as India from the drop-down list
5. Read the data carefully and click on “Start”
6. Fill up the online visa form
7. Pay the visa fee and health surcharge. You will be given a reference number starting with GWF. Please note the number in case you have to modify your visa form.
8. You will be redirected to the VFS website after fee payment.
9. Book an appointment with the nearest VFS VAC. You can addon optional and premium services like visa courier during this time.
10. You can choose to upload your documents online. If you can’t upload documents, you can also submit it at the nearest VAC.
11. Go to the VFS VAC on the day of appointment for biometrics collection.
12. Submit your visa form and supporting original documents if you haven’t uploaded it.

London transit visa requirements

The following documents are required for London Transit Visa for Indians:

1. A valid travel document or Indian passport with 6 months validity
2. Valid visa/residence permit/green card of your destination country.
3. Confirmed flight bookings
4. Travel itinerary
5. Proof of Hotel reservations
6. Print out of Boarding pass
7. Biometric Information

London transit visa processing time

London Transit Visa processing time is 3 weeks. You can track your visa application status at vfsvisaonline.com. It is advisable to apply well in advance before intended travel.

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