UK Transit Visa Requirements for Nigerians

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A transit visa allows holders to pass through the UK as part of their journey to another country. There are two different types to choose from depending on the length of time the holder will be spending in the UK before travelling to their destination country, and whether or not they will be going through UK border control.

Applicants require proof that they are passing through the UK in transit from one country to another, proof of their destination, and evidence that they are only visiting the UK as a traveller in transit and will not be staying longer than is permitted. It is imperative that travellers ensure that they meet the requirements for the appropriate visa option before applying or booking any tickets as a rejection or delay may cause disruption to their travel plans.

Page Contents

• Overview
• Requirements for the UK Direct Airside Transit Visa
• Requirements for the UK Visitor in Transit Visa
• Requirements for Exemption from the Transit Visa for the UK
• Transit Through the UK: Dos and Don’ts
• How Can IAS Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to apply for a UK Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) if you are travelling through the UK without passing through border controls before catching your flight out of the country. All applicants must prove that they are allowed entry into their destination country. In order to prove this, applicants will be asked to provide the following documents upon application:

• A valid passport
• A valid visa
• A valid green card
• A residence permit

In order to provide evidence of your travel route and length of stay, you must also have access to at least one of the following:

• A flight booking email
• A ticket/boarding pass
• Proof of confirmation from a travel agent

As part of your application, you will need to make an appointment at your nearest Visa Application Centre, where you will be asked to provide evidence of your transit arrangements and your biometric information (photograph ID and fingerprints) will be taken for records. Nigerian applicants may need to travel to Lagos or Abuja to find their nearest Visa Application Centre.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or your chosen Visa Application Centre will contact you within 3 weeks with a decision regarding your visa application.

Remember that you will need to bring your documents with you when you travel through the UK in case your visa requires further verification upon arrival.

You will need to apply for this type of transit visa if your stop in the UK lasts longer than 24 hours and you pass through UK border control before leaving the country. The UK Visitor in Transit visa costs £64 and lasts for 48 hours.

As with the DATV, the application process is mostly online, and you must again provide evidence that you have been granted entry into your destination country. You can do this by providing:

• A valid visa
• A valid green card
• A valid passport
• A residence permit

You will also need to provide proof of your travel route and the length of your stay. You can do this by submitting your:

• Flight booking email
• Ticket or boarding pass
• Confirmation email from a travel agent

Because your stay in the UK is longer than it would be if you were transiting airside, it is more likely that you will also be asked to provide evidence of where you will be staying before catching your flight out of the country. You can do this by submitting your accommodation booking details and confirmation email.

You will also be asked to make an appointment with your nearest Visa Application Centre (most likely in Lagos or Abuja) where you will be interviewed and asked to provide evidence of your transit plans. Your biometric information (fingerprints and photo ID) will be taken for records. You should receive a final decision concerning your visa application within 3 weeks.

If you can prove that you need to pass through the UK in transit on a regular basis, perhaps for work or family, you might find that a long-term Standard Visitor visa is a more convenient option.

This visa allows holders to stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months per visit, and it can last for 2, 5 or 10 years. For more information about the Standard Visitor visa, check out our helpful guide on the IAS website.

Visitors who are in transit in the UK are allowed to bring their “personal allowance” goods into the airport with them from their flight, but any goods that might violate regulations, such as commercial goods for sale and prohibited items, must be declared at UK border controls. You must also declare cash of £10,000 or more being carried into the UK, even if this amount is split up amongst your family.

Please refer to the UK government website for further information about what you can and can’t bring into the country with you.

Please do not try to bypass declaration rules as you may be subject to seizure, fines, or further legal action.