UK Visa & Transit Rules 2026

Section A: Overview of UK Visa & Transit Requirements 2025

Travelling through or into the UK in 2025 requires an understanding of the Immigration Rules and the updated framework administered by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

While Brexit fundamentally changed the position of EU nationals, the more important development for 2025 is the continued refinement of Appendix Visitor and the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.

All travellers must either hold lawful permission to enter or transit, or be exempt under the Immigration Rules. The rules distinguish between those who remain airside during transit and those who must pass through border control before continuing their journey.

Where a stopover exceeds 48 hours, or where a traveller wishes to conduct permitted activities such as business meetings or leisure visits during a layover, a Standard Visitor visa will usually be required instead of a transit visa.

1. Visa requirements for UK entry and transit

All non-British and non-Irish nationals are subject to UK entry controls. For transit purposes, nationals of certain countries must obtain a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) if they are changing planes in the UK but remaining in the international zone of the airport. Where a traveller has to pass through immigration control, for example to collect baggage, re-check in for a new flight or transfer to a different mode of transport, a Visitor in Transit visa may be required. Both visas are short-term, restrictive and nationality-specific.

The official Home Office visa nationals list determines who must hold one of these visas, and it is updated regularly to reflect security and policy changes.

The ETA scheme has introduced an additional requirement for some non-visa nationals who enter UK border control during transit. Travellers do not need an ETA if they remain airside and do not cross the UK border. Visa nationals remain subject to transit visa rules and cannot use an ETA instead.

Because of these changes, employers and individuals should not assume that previous experience of transiting without a visa or authorisation remains valid in 2025.

2. The role of border checks and decision-making

Even with the correct visa in place, entry and transit are not guaranteed. Border Force officers have discretion to assess eligibility on arrival and can refuse permission if the passenger’s documents or circumstances do not meet the requirements. UKVI caseworkers apply similar discretion when assessing transit visa applications before travel. Applications can be refused if supporting evidence is incomplete, if there is no proof of onward travel, or where there is a history of previous breaches of immigration law. In practice, refusals often result from passengers being unclear about whether their route requires them to cross border control. Travellers should therefore check airline and airport arrangements carefully, as not all routes allow passengers to remain airside. Employers moving staff internationally should build in a compliance check to confirm the correct visa type for every planned connection.

3. Impact of Brexit, updated Immigration Rules and ETA rollout

Since leaving the EU, European nationals have no longer been entitled to free movement. While most EU, EEA and Swiss nationals do not need a transit visa, they are now subject to routine UK border checks. Their documents, reasons for travel, and onward tickets can all be examined. For other nationalities, the Home Office has tightened requirements over the past few years, adding countries to the visa nationals list where security or immigration risk is assessed as higher.

A key development in 2025 was the roll out of the UK’s ETA system, which applies to certain non-visa nationals entering the UK for visits but not generally to those remaining airside. The system is being phased in, so travellers and employers must confirm whether ETA applies in addition to or instead of a visa. Future changes to the Immigration Rules are signalled through Statements of Changes laid before Parliament, and these should be monitored as they can affect business travel at short notice.

Section B: Types of UK Transit Visas

UK transit visas are highly restrictive permissions that allow travellers to pass through the UK en route to another country. They are not intended for general visits, business activity or work.

There are two main types of transit visa, with the correct choice depending on whether the passenger can remain airside within the airport or must pass through UK border control.

1. Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)

The Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) is required by nationals of certain countries when connecting through a UK airport without entering the UK. The DATV permits the traveller to remain only in the international transit area for up to 24 hours while waiting for a connecting flight. The permission ceases to be valid if the traveller has to pass through border control at any point. Airlines and airport procedures play a key role here, as not all connections allow baggage to be automatically transferred. If a passenger must collect and re-check baggage, the DATV will not suffice and a Visitor in Transit visa will instead be required.

• Onward travel must be confirmed to a third country within 24 hours.
• The journey must not involve crossing UK border control.
• Travellers must confirm in advance that their airline allows them to remain airside for the entire connection.
• Failure to comply will result in refusal at the border and potentially denied boarding at the first point of departure.

Employers should be alert to the DATV’s limitations when booking flights for staff from affected countries. A common error is assuming that all UK airports have seamless airside connections; in reality, some require baggage recheck and therefore invalidate a DATV.

2. Visitor in Transit Visa

The Visitor in Transit visa applies where a passenger must enter UK border control before continuing their journey. This may be required when baggage has to be reclaimed and rechecked, when the onward journey is booked separately, or when the connection involves leaving the airport. The visa usually permits a stay of up to 48 hours solely for transit purposes. It does not authorise work, study, or any activities beyond the immediate continuation of the journey. Attempting to use this visa for business meetings or training is a breach of the Immigration Rules and can expose both the traveller and their employer to enforcement risk.

• Onward travel must be confirmed to a country outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands).
• The traveller must intend to leave the UK within 48 hours of arrival.
• Evidence of funds may be required to show the traveller can support themselves during the short stay without working or using public funds.
• Accommodation arrangements may be examined, even where the traveller only intends to remain overnight.

Employers should be clear with staff that this visa cannot be repurposed for short business visits. If the stopover involves meetings, conferences, or training, the correct route is the Standard Visitor visa. Misuse of the Visitor in Transit visa is a frequent ground for refusal and creates compliance exposure for sponsor licence holders.

3. Long-haul transit scenarios and complex itineraries

Long-haul travel often creates scenarios that fall outside the strict DATV or Visitor in Transit categories. For example, connections exceeding 24 hours airside or 48 hours landside, or itineraries where the traveller wants to spend time in the UK between flights, require a Standard Visitor visa instead. Similarly, travellers making multiple stopovers that involve entering and leaving the UK more than once will not be covered by a transit visa. In practice, airlines and travel agents may advise passengers, but responsibility rests with the individual to obtain the correct visa. Employers should be proactive in reviewing itineraries during booking rather than leaving it until the employee is at the airport.

Section C: Exemptions & Special Transit Rules

Not every traveller passing through the UK requires a transit visa. In 2025, the Immigration Rules provide a range of exemptions based on nationality, immigration status in other countries, or specific occupational categories. These exemptions are designed to ease the administrative burden for lower-risk groups, but they must be applied carefully. Travellers often assume they qualify for an exemption, only to discover at the airport that additional documentation is required. Employers and individuals should confirm the exemption against the latest Home Office lists before travel to avoid disruption.

1. Nationality-based exemptions

Many nationalities do not require a transit visa to pass through the UK. Citizens of countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and the EEA can usually connect through UK airports without prior permission, although they remain subject to border checks. In contrast, nationals of certain countries, including Afghanistan, Ghana and Nigeria, must hold a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) or Visitor in Transit visa, even for very short connections. The Home Office maintains an official visa nationals list under Appendix Visitor, and this is updated periodically.

The UK’s ETA scheme has also brought in requirements for some non-visa nationals when they enter the UK during transit.

Employers should not rely on outdated assumptions about nationality-based exemptions, as additions to the list can occur at short notice due to security or policy changes.

2. Exemptions based on other visas or residence permits

Travellers holding certain valid visas or residence permits may also be exempt from UK transit visa requirements. For example, holders of valid visas or residence permits for the US, Canada, Australia or New Zealand may be permitted to transit through the UK without a DATV, provided they are travelling to or from that country. Similarly, holders of common format residence permits issued by EEA or Swiss authorities may qualify. In practice, this means a passenger with a valid US visa and confirmed onward travel to the US could transit the UK without applying for a separate DATV. Another notable exemption applies to holders of an Irish biometric visa endorsed with “BC” or “BC BIVS”. While these provisions reduce duplication, passengers must carry the original documents proving their exemption, and airline staff are instructed to deny boarding if the evidence is not presented.

3. Airline and transport staff exemptions

Certain airline crew and international transport staff benefit from exemptions when transiting the UK for professional duties. These are tightly defined under international aviation agreements and apply only where the crew member holds valid identity documentation issued by their employer. The exemption is not available if the crew member is travelling for personal reasons, in which case standard visa rules apply. Airlines and transport operators have a duty to ensure that exempted staff are correctly documented, as carriers can face fines if they bring passengers to the UK without valid entry clearance. For HR and mobility teams in aviation, maintaining updated compliance records for crew members is therefore crucial.

Section D: Employer & HR Considerations

For employers and HR teams responsible for staff mobility, UK transit rules cannot be treated as an afterthought. Even short connections through London or other UK airports can lead to refusals if employees do not have the correct immigration status. The risks are not only operational but also compliance-related, particularly for sponsor licence holders. Employers must understand how transit requirements interact with broader immigration obligations and integrate these checks into their mobility policies.

1. Risk of refusal at border and impact on assignments

If an employee arrives at the UK border without the correct transit visa, they can be denied boarding before departure or refused permission to continue their journey on arrival. Such incidents frequently result in missed client meetings, delayed assignments and additional costs for rebooking travel. In some sectors, a single missed connection can cause contractual breaches or reputational harm. Employers should not assume that transit permissions are straightforward; even routine routes can trigger visa requirements if baggage needs to be rechecked or if a long layover is involved. Pre-travel checks are therefore essential to avoid disruption.

2. Right to work and sponsor licence compliance

Transit visas are strictly limited in scope and do not authorise employees to undertake work, attend training, or join business meetings. A Visitor in Transit visa, for example, permits no activity beyond onward travel. If an employee uses a transit visa to engage in work-related activity during a layover, both the individual and their employer are in breach of immigration law. For sponsor licence holders, even indirect breaches of the Immigration Rules can result in Home Office scrutiny and possible compliance action. The Home Office has demonstrated a willingness to investigate whether employers knowingly permitted misuse of visas, and such findings can impact licence ratings or even result in suspension. Employers must therefore ensure that itineraries and staff briefings make clear what activities are prohibited under each visa type.

3. Practical guidance for HR teams on staff travel planning

HR teams should carry out pre-travel visa checks for all employees, even where the journey involves only a short transit connection. These checks should be based on the most recent information, including the updated lists of visa nationals who require a Direct Airside Transit Visa or a Visitor in Transit visa. Employers should also liaise with travel providers to confirm whether flight bookings allow passengers to remain airside throughout their connection, or whether baggage collection and recheck will force them through border control. Employees must be trained to travel with all necessary documents, including evidence of onward travel, visas for the final destination and any proof of exemption relied upon.

Finally, employers should put in place clear contingency protocols so that if a transit visa is refused or boarding is denied, both the employee and the organisation know the immediate steps to take and how to manage the disruption.

4. Integrating transit compliance into global mobility strategy

Transit requirements should be embedded into wider global mobility processes rather than treated as a separate issue. Employers should integrate UK transit visa checks into travel authorisation workflows and ensure that line managers and travel teams understand the risks. For multinational employers, it may be appropriate to create internal guidance or checklists tailored to common staff travel routes. Regular liaison with immigration advisers can also help identify emerging risks, such as changes to the visa nationals list or new Home Office policy announcements. By approaching transit planning strategically, employers reduce the risk of last-minute refusals and demonstrate a proactive compliance culture to the Home Office.

Section E: Summary

In 2025, UK transit rules remain restrictive and closely enforced. The Direct Airside Transit Visa and Visitor in Transit visa apply only in narrow circumstances, each with strict time and activity limits. Where a connection is longer or involves business or leisure activity, a Standard Visitor visa is required. The phased introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation adds further obligations for some non-visa nationals, making up-to-date checks essential.

Exemptions ease requirements for certain nationalities and visa holders, but reliance on them carries risk if documents are not presented correctly. For travellers, errors can mean denied boarding or refused entry. For employers, misuse of transit visas can create both operational disruption and Home Office compliance exposure. Treating transit as part of wider mobility planning, rather than an afterthought, is the safest way to avoid costly mistakes.

Section F: FAQs

Do all travellers need a UK transit visa in 2025?

Only nationals of certain countries, listed by the Home Office as visa nationals, require a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) or a Visitor in Transit visa. Many nationalities, including EU citizens, can transit the UK without a visa, though they remain subject to border checks.

What is the difference between a DATV and a Visitor in Transit visa?

A DATV applies where a passenger remains airside within the airport and does not pass through UK border control. A Visitor in Transit visa is required where the traveller must enter border control, for example to recheck baggage or transfer to another flight. The Visitor in Transit visa is valid for a stay of up to 48 hours and does not allow work or study.

Are EU nationals affected by UK transit rules?

Since Brexit, EU nationals no longer benefit from free movement and must undergo UK border checks. However, they do not normally require a transit visa unless they fall into another category requiring one.

How long can I stay in the UK on a transit visa?

The Direct Airside Transit Visa allows a maximum of 24 hours within the airside area. A Visitor in Transit visa permits up to 48 hours in the UK, strictly for the purpose of onward travel. Longer connections or stopovers for business or leisure require a Standard Visitor visa.

What should employers do if an employee is refused transit at the UK border?

If an employee is refused transit, the employer should ensure the individual’s immediate welfare and arrange alternative onward travel. The incident should be reviewed to confirm whether the correct visa was applied for and if documentation was sufficient. Sponsor licence holders should assess whether the refusal raises compliance implications and, where necessary, consider disclosure to the Home Office to protect their compliance record.

Section G: Glossary

Section H: Additional Resources & Links