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UK Visa Desk

FAQ

Transit visa: questions Indian applicants ask

Direct answer

6 questions Indian applicants ask about the Transit visa, answered with the figures that apply in 2026: Do Indians need a transit visa to change planes at Heathrow?

Reviewed by UK Visa Desk counselling team, Visa counsellors, Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd, Patiala. Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024. Last verified .

Every answer below is dated to the dataset it draws on. If your question is not here, ask it on WhatsApp and we add it to the page.

Information only. We do not file the Transit visa. Already in the UK? We refer you to a regulated adviser (OISC or SRA) and charge nothing for the introduction. Applying from India and unsure which route fits? Ask the desk on WhatsApp.
Our sister site already covers this: Transit visa guide on Lifeset Overseas. We link rather than repeat it.

Questions and answers

Do Indians need a transit visa to change planes at Heathrow?

Usually yes. If you stay airside and your connection is on the same day, a Direct Airside Transit visa at £41.50 applies. If you need to collect baggage, change terminals through border control or stay overnight, a Visitor in Transit visa at £74.50 applies.

Does a Standard Visitor visa cover transit?

Yes. A valid Standard Visitor visa lets you transit without a separate transit visa, airside or landside.

I hold a valid US visa. Am I exempt?

Possibly, under the transit without visa concession, which depends on the type of visa, your onward destination and whether you stay airside. The Lifeset Overseas guide lists the exact conditions; do not rely on the airline alone.

How long is a transit visa valid?

A Direct Airside Transit visa is for the connection on the day of travel. A Visitor in Transit visa allows up to 48 hours in the UK. Neither can be extended or switched.

Is the fee shown in rupees?

The Home Office charges in rupees at its quarterly rate, about ₹5,492 for Direct Airside Transit and ₹9,859 for Visitor in Transit at the rate shown in October 2026. The exact amount appears when you pay online.

Where do I apply?

Online on gov.uk, then biometrics at a VFS UK visa application centre in India. Lifeset Overseas tracks appointment availability by city, and its transit guide walks through the form.

  • Punjab licence: 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024valid to 22 July 2029
  • CIN: U52291PB2024PTC060508Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd