Direct Airside Transit visa: Indian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Indian citizens living in the United States need a UK Direct Airside Transit visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
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 United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
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
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
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.