Transit rules · United Kingdom
Layover in the United Kingdom: transit visa and leaving the airport
Heathrow has airside transit: on a single booking you stay airside, even when changing terminals (free airside shuttle bus), and do not pass UK border control. Airside transit passengers currently do not need an ETA (a temporary exemption the Home Office keeps under review), but nationals on the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) list (including India, China and South Africa) need a DATV unless they hold an exempting document such as a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa. Leaving the airport, self-transferring on separate tickets (bag recheck) or connecting to a domestic flight means passing UK border control: ETA nationals need an ETA (GBP 20), visa nationals need a Visitor in Transit visa (up to 48 hours) or a Standard Visitor visa, unless they qualify for landside Transit Without Visa.
At a glance, by passport
| Passport | Change planes airside | Leave the airport |
|---|---|---|
| United States | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| Canada | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| United Kingdom | – | Yes, you are at home here |
| Australia | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| New Zealand | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| India | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa) |
| China (mainland) | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa) |
| Brazil | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| Mexico | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| South Africa | Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies | Not without a visa · 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa) |
| Philippines | No document needed to stay airside | Not without a visa · 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa) |
| Japan | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
| South Korea | No document needed to stay airside | Yes, with an online travel authorisation · 6 months |
Changing planes without leaving the airport
Airside means you stay behind passport control: you walk from one gate to the next and never formally enter the United Kingdom. Many countries let you do that without any document, some ask for an online authorisation or a transit visa even for this.
Holders of United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, Japan and South Korea passports can change planes airside without any document. India, China (mainland) and South Africa passports need a transit visa to connect, unless one of the official exemptions applies.
Leaving the airport
To see the city you pass immigration and enter the United Kingdom like any visitor, so the normal entry rule for your passport applies, however short your stay.
With an online travel authorisation: United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and South Korea. Only with a visa: India, China (mainland), South Africa and Philippines. United Kingdom citizens are at home here.
Transit rules in the United Kingdom
Airside transit (Heathrow, single booking)
Who: All nationalities; DATV nationals (e.g. IN, CN, ZA) only with a DATV or an exempting document.
- Do not change airports and do not pass the UK border; no airside transit to Ireland or the Common Travel Area.
- Arrive and depart by air with a confirmed onward flight departing the same day from the same airport (TWOV conditions for visa nationals).
- Changing terminals at Heathrow stays airside via a free transfer bus; separate tickets (self-transfer) or an international-to-domestic connection require passing immigration.
- ETA not currently required airside (temporary exemption, kept under review).
Source: Home Office , GOV.UK , Home Office , Heathrow Airport , Heathrow Airport
Landside Transit Without Visa (TWOV)
Who: Visa nationals (IN, CN, ZA, PH) holding a valid visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA (and travelling to/from that country), certain AU/CA/NZ/US permanent residence documents, a valid EEA/Swiss common-format residence permit or category D visa, or an Irish BC/BC BIVS visa.
- Arrive and depart by air.
- Confirmed onward flight that departs before 23:59 the following day.
- Correct documents for the destination; electronic visas/residence permits of other countries are not accepted for landside transit.
- Decided by an immigration officer at the UK border.
Source: Home Office
Visitor in Transit visa
Who: Visa nationals who pass through UK border control on the way to another country.
- Leave the UK within 48 hours.
- Cost GBP 74.50.
UK ETA on a layover: when you need one at Heathrow
Your passport in detail
United States passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control, including for a layover. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed if you stay airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
Canada passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
United Kingdom passport
Yes, you are at home here
Official source: Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA
Australia passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
New Zealand passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
EU / EEA / Switzerland passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation EU/EEA and Swiss citizens need an ETA to pass border control, except Irish citizens (no ETA) and people with UK immigration status (e.g. EU Settlement Scheme). Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption).
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
India passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visa national: Visitor in Transit visa (GBP 74.50, up to 48 hours) or Standard Visitor visa. Landside TWOV possible with a valid AU/CA/NZ/US visa and ticket to/from that country, or certain residence permits, and a confirmed onward flight departing before 23:59 the following day. Stay: 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa). Cost: GBP 74.50.
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies India is on the DATV list. No DATV needed if holding e.g. a valid visa for Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA (not necessarily travelling there), an AU/NZ/CA/US permanent residence document, a valid EEA/Swiss common-format residence permit or category D visa, an Irish biometric visa, or a UK Standard Visitor visa. Airside TWOV also requires arriving and departing by air with a confirmed onward flight the same day from the same airport. Cost: GBP 41.50.
Official source: Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list (VN 1.1) , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Visitor in Transit visa , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview , UK Visa Requirements (Carriers Liaison Section poster, August 2026), landside TWOV , Transit, version 9.0 (Home Office caseworker guidance, 25 March 2026), DATV section , Transit, version 9.0, DATV: transiting without a DATV , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Direct Airside Transit visa , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview , UK Visa Requirements (August 2026), airside transit
China (mainland) passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visa national: Visitor in Transit visa or Standard Visitor visa, unless landside TWOV applies (valid AU/CA/NZ/US visa etc., onward flight before 23:59 the following day). Stay: 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa). Cost: GBP 74.50.
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies People's Republic of China is on the DATV list (ordinary passports). Same exemptions as for India (valid AU/CA/NZ/US visa, EEA/Swiss residence permit, etc.). Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR passports are not visa nationals (not covered here). Cost: GBP 41.50.
Official source: Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list (VN 1.1) , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Visitor in Transit visa , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview , UK Visa Requirements (Carriers Liaison Section poster, August 2026), landside TWOV , Transit, version 9.0 (Home Office caseworker guidance, 25 March 2026), DATV section , Transit, version 9.0, DATV: transiting without a DATV , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview
Brazil passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
Mexico passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
South Africa passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visa national: Visitor in Transit visa or Standard Visitor visa, unless landside TWOV applies. Stay: 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa). Cost: GBP 74.50.
Change planes airside: Airport transit visa needed, unless an exemption applies South Africa is on the DATV list (only diplomatic passports exempt by nationality). Same document exemptions as for India (valid AU/CA/NZ/US visa, etc.). Cost: GBP 41.50.
Official source: Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list (VN 1.1) , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Visitor in Transit visa , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview , UK Visa Requirements (Carriers Liaison Section poster, August 2026), landside TWOV , Transit, version 9.0 (Home Office caseworker guidance, 25 March 2026), DATV section , Transit, version 9.0, DATV: transiting without a DATV , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview
Philippines passport
Leave the airport: Not without a visa Visa national: Visitor in Transit visa or Standard Visitor visa, unless landside TWOV applies (valid AU/CA/NZ/US visa etc., onward flight before 23:59 the following day). Stay: 48 hours (Visitor in Transit visa). Cost: GBP 74.50.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside The Philippines is a visa national but NOT on the DATV list, so airside transit needs no visa, provided the passenger arrives and departs by air with a confirmed onward flight the same day from the same airport and holds the documents for the destination.
Official source: Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list (VN 1.1) , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Visitor in Transit visa , Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview , UK Visa Requirements (Carriers Liaison Section poster, August 2026), landside TWOV , Transit, version 9.0 (Home Office caseworker guidance, 25 March 2026), DATV section , UK Visa Requirements (August 2026), airside transit
Japan passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
South Korea passport
Leave the airport: Yes, with an online travel authorisation ETA required to pass border control. Stay: 6 months. Cost: GBP 20.
Change planes airside: No document needed to stay airside No ETA needed airside (temporary exemption); not a DATV national.
Official source: Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK , Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 , Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA , Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026
How much time you get in the city
Being allowed out is half the answer; the other half is the clock. Count the time to get off the plane and through immigration, the trip into town and back, and getting back early enough for security and the gate. London Heathrow Airport (LHR): the fastest public option, Heathrow Express from Heathrow Central (T2 & T3) to London Paddington, takes 15 minutes, so plan a layover of at least 4 h 55 min.
The planner on each airport page does this for your own flight times and lets you change every assumption.
Questions
Do I need a transit visa for the United Kingdom?
Holders of United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines, Japan and South Korea passports can change planes airside without any document. India, China (mainland) and South Africa passports need a transit visa to connect, unless one of the official exemptions applies.
Can I leave the airport during a layover in the United Kingdom?
It depends on your passport. With an online travel authorisation: United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU / EEA / Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and South Korea. Only with a visa: India, China (mainland), South Africa and Philippines. United Kingdom citizens are at home here.
How long a layover do I need to leave the airport?
With our cautious defaults (45 minutes to get out, the trip into town and back plus 20%, 120 minutes back before departure, at least 90 minutes in the city): London Heathrow Airport (LHR): the fastest public option, Heathrow Express from Heathrow Central (T2 & T3) to London Paddington, takes 15 minutes, so plan a layover of at least 4 h 55 min.
Official sources
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Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK (GOV.UK):
An ETA costs £20.
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Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK (GOV.UK):
You need an ETA if you're passing through border control at a UK airport before continuing your onward journey.
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Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA (GOV.UK):
you’re transiting through a UK airport without passing through border control (airside)
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Get an ETA: When you do not need an ETA (GOV.UK):
you’re a British or Irish citizen
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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 (Home Office):
Those transiting through Heathrow and Manchester airports who do not go through UK passport control
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Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) factsheet - April 2026 (Home Office):
permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time over two years
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Check if you can get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (updated 9 April 2026) (GOV.UK):
Nationalities from the following locations (including associated territories) can apply for an ETA now.
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Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Direct Airside Transit visa (GOV.UK):
A Direct Airside Transit visa costs £41.50.
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Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview (GOV.UK):
Apply for a Direct Airside Transit visa if you'll be changing flights in the UK
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Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Visitor in Transit visa (GOV.UK):
A Visitor in Transit visa costs £74.50.
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Visa to pass through the UK in transit: Overview (GOV.UK):
Apply for a Visitor in Transit visa if you'll be going through UK border control but leaving the UK within 48 hours.
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Transit, version 9.0 (Home Office caseworker guidance, 25 March 2026), DATV section (Home Office):
An airside transit passenger who on arrival in the UK passes through to another country or territory without entering the UK requires a Direct Airside Transit Visa, if they are one of the following:
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Transit, version 9.0, DATV: transiting without a DATV (Home Office):
valid visa for entry to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA – the passenger does not have to be on their way to the country for which the visa is held
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UK Visa Requirements (Carriers Liaison Section poster, August 2026), landside TWOV (Home Office):
(v) have a confirmed onward flight that departs before 23:59hrs the following day; and
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UK Visa Requirements (August 2026), airside transit (Home Office):
Airside transit passengers are those who do not need to change airports and do not need to pass through the UK border.
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Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list (VN 1.1) (GOV.UK):
List of nationalities requiring entry clearance prior to travel to the UK as a Visitor
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UK enforces digital permission to travel (24 February 2026) (GOV.UK (Home Office)):
airlines will prevent passengers from boarding if they do not have an ETA
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-01. Rules change; the airline and the border officer have the final word. Found something out of date? Tell us.