Transit visa
Visit visas · Outside UK
What you should know
For passing through the UK on the way to another country.
Submitted at a visa application centre (VAC) in your country of residence.
How UKVI counts Transit processing time
Processing time starts the day UK Visas and Immigration receives your biometric information at a visa application centre (VAC) overseas. It ends when a decision letter or email is issued. Weekends and UK public holidays do not count.
The published wait reflects UKVI's current customer-service standard for the Transit route, not a personal estimate. Your application can take longer if documents need to be verified, an interview is requested, or if your case is complex (for example, a previous refusal or criminal record).
You may be eligible to pay for a faster decision if you need a result sooner. Priority and Super Priority services are not available for every route — check the gov.uk page below for current availability.
When you might wait longer than 3 weeks
- Documents need to be verified directly with the issuing authority.
- Your application is incomplete or evidence of funds was not provided.
- UKVI requests an interview to confirm details about your application.
- You have a previous refusal, immigration breach, or criminal conviction on file.
- UKVI is dealing with unusually high demand or a system outage.