Direct Airside Transit visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian citizens changing flights in the UK who will not go through UK border control apply online for a Direct Airside Transit visa, then attend a visa application centre to give their fingerprints and photo.
UK transit visa for changing flights at a UK airport without going through UK border control — you stay airside and do not enter the UK.
- Validity
- For transit only — you must be changing flights and leaving the UK; if you need to stay more than 48 hours or frequently pass through the UK over a period of over six months you must apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead.
- Entries
- For the single airside transit covered by your application.
- Max stay per visit
- You do not go through UK border control and do not enter the UK — you remain airside while changing flights.
When to start
Start 21–30 days before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
Apply for this visa if you will be changing flights in the UK and will not be going through UK border control.
You do not need a transit visa if you already hold certain documents, such as a Standard Visitor visa, a Marriage Visitor visa, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), a Home Office travel document, or an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
Complete the online application for a Direct Airside Transit visa.
At the visa application centre you have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken and submit your supporting documents.
You'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks of your appointment.
What you'll need
- Current passport or valid travel document — You must have a current passport or other valid travel document; take your passport to the appointment, where you'll be able to collect it on the day. ✓ verified
- Evidence you can enter your destination country — Evidence of your permission to enter the country you are travelling to, such as a residence permit, green card or valid visa. ✓ verified
- Proof of your onward journey — Proof of your onward journey, for example a flight booking email, a ticket or boarding pass, or a travel agent confirmation. ✓ verified
Where you'll apply
After applying online you book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre in the country where you live to give your biometric information and submit your documents.
Fees
Gotchas to watch
- You'll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa instead of a Visitor in Transit visa if either: you need to stay more than 48 hours in the UK [or] you need to frequently pass through the UK over a period of over six months.
- You do not need a transit visa if you already hold a document such as an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), a Standard Visitor visa or a Home Office travel document.