BRITISH TRANSIT VISAS

Visitor In Transit
Direct Airside Transit
Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Concession

US Citizens with a valid passport do not require Transit visa for the United Kingdom.

Visitor-In-Transit

Applicants who are traveling to another country but they must stay in UK overnight (MAXIMUM STAY UP TO 48 HOURS), or must change airports/airlines to catch a connecting flight in the UK.

Biometric Data

All visa applicants are required to provide finger scans. This is now part of the application process. By collecting biometric data from all visa applicants the British Consulate Generarl, Los Angeles will be able to:

  • Better protect you from identity fraud Strengthen the control of the UK's borders
  • Make the UK an even safer place to visit

How will this affect you?

All applications should be submitted and paid for online. You will then be directed to make an appointment online at one of the Application Support Centres in your area in order to submit your biometric data. Once you have submitted your biometric data you can send in your passport, printed and signed application form, your stamped biometric appointment form, the Priority Service receipt with the bar code and the supporting documents to Global VIP Services so that we can submit your visa application to the British Consulate General, Los Angeles for processing.

Please prepare and submit the following items:
  1. Passport - Your current original signed passport, which must be valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank visa pages.

  2. Passport-Style Photographs - One color passport size photograph 2”x2” on a white background with a full front view of face. (Do not staple or glue the photograph to the application).

  3. Complete Visa Application - Download the Application Form, online including the payment of the consulate visa fee. Print and sign the application and print the Confirmation receipt.

  4. Priority Service Notice - With effect from June 1st, 2010 for Global VIP Services to submit your application for priority processsing, it is necessary that you pay the priority service processing fee of $150 plus tax to the British Consulate through the WorldBridge Website. and

    -Select United States on the pull down menu

    -Click on "Purchase Products and Services"

    -Select your designated UK border agency from the pull down menu - see page 1 of your UK online application form for your desiganted UK agency

    -Click on "Priority Service"

    -Fill in the form and pay the relevant fee

    -The system will then generate a receipt with a bar code

    -Print the receipt with the bar code and include it with your applicaiton package so that the British Consulate accepts your application form GLOBAL VIP SERVICES for rush processing.

  5. Biometric Receipt - You will need to include your biometric receipt which is stamped by the service certner.

  6. Supporting Documents:

    1. Evidence of your legal residence in the USA and permission to re-enter the USA after your trip– Please submit original documents. Examples:
      • Permanent Resident Card Valid US visa (e.g. H1B, F1) Advance Parole Document Employment Authorization Card (does not permit re-entry to US) Valid DS 2019 (Formerly IAP66) Valid I-20 (must be signed on the reverse by designated school official) Valid I-94

        • Please provide original documents and copies of all requested documents in support of your application. Please also provide a daytime telephone number.

      Travel Document - One copy of your round trip Confirmed Flight Reservation.

      Hotel Confirmation– A copy of your hotel confirmed reservation in the UK.

      Evidence of funds available for your visit. Recent bank statements (for the past 3 months)

    2. Evidence of Employment – A signed letter from the Employer giving the name, position, length of service of the applicant and the purpose of the travel.

  7. Payment: You may pay all the fees with one Cashier's check/ money order payable to “GLOBAL VIP SERVICES”.

    1. Consular Fees
      • You will pay this directly to the British Consulate online, during your application processing.

    2. Our Service Fee is $100- the British Consulate's processing time is usually 48 hours for this type of visa.

    3. FedEx Return Mail Service – See Order Form for details.

  8. Order Form – Complete and sign Global VIP Services Order Form.

  9. Send Us - All relevant Documents and Fees mentioned above Via FedEx Overnight Service To:

    Global VIP Services
    6241 Glade Ave, # L201
    Woodland Hills, CA 91367

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Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)

Applicants from certain Countries require a Direct Airside Transit Visa to transit the United Kingdom. If they are remaining airside - i.e. not changing airline, not leaving the airport and flying onward on the same day.

Please prepare and submit the following items:

  1. Passport - Your current original signed passport, which must be valid for a minimum of 6 months with at least two blank visa pages.

  2. Passport-Style Photographs - One color passport size photograph 2”x2” on a white background with a full front view of face. (Do not staple or glue the photograph to the application).

  3. Complete Visa Application - Download the Application Form, online including the payment of the consulate visa fee. Print and sign the application and print the Confirmation receipt.

  4. Priority Service Notice - With effect from June 1st, 2010 for Global VIP Services to submit your application for priority processsing, it is necessary that you pay the priority service processing fee of $150 plus tax to the British Consulate through the WorldBridge Website. and

    -Select United States on the pull down menu

    -Click on "Purchase Products and Services"

    -Select your designated UK border agency from the pull down menu - see page 1 of your UK online application form for your desiganted UK agency

    -Click on "Priority Service"

    -Fill in the form and pay the relevant fee

    -The system will then generate a receipt with a bar code

    -Print the receipt with the bar code and include it with your applicaiton package so that the British Consulate accepts your application form GLOBAL VIP SERVICES for rush processing.

  5. Biometric Receipt - You will need to include your biometric receipt which is stamped by the service center.

  6. Supporting Documents:

    1. Evidence of your legal residence in the USA and permission to re-enter the USA after your trip– Please submit original documents. Examples:
      • Permanent Resident Card
      • Valid US visa (e.g. H1B, F1)
      • Advance Parole Document
      • Employment Authorization Card (does not permit re-entry to US)
      • Valid DS 2019 (Formerly IAP66)
      • Valid I-20 (must be signed on the reverse by designated school official)
      • Valid I-94

        • Please provide original documents and copies of all requested documents in support of your application. Please also provide a daytime telephone number.

    2. Travel Document - One copy of your round trip Confirmed Flight Reservation (You may reserve flights but do not purchase the ticket before the Visa is issued)

  7. Payment: You may pay all the fees with one Cashier's check/ money order payable to “GLOBAL VIP SERVICES”.

    1. Consular Visa and Priority Service Fee - You will pay this directly to the British Consulate online, during your application processing.

    2. Our ServiceOur Service Fee is $100- the British Consulate's processing time is usually 48 hours for this type of visa.

    3. FedEx Return Mail Service – See Order Form for details.

  8. Order Form – Complete and sign Global VIP Services Order Form.

  9. Send Us - All relevant Documents and Fees mentioned above Via FedEx Overnight Service To:

    Global VIP Services
    6241 Glade Ave, # L201
    Woodland Hills, CA 91367

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Transit Without Visa (TWOV) Concession

If you are a visa national or a DATV national (see below) who is exempt, you can transit without visa if you will:

  • arrive at a UK port on a ship and leave on the same ship within 24 hours; or
  • arrive and leave by air within 24 hours and have no intention of staying in the UK (you can travel by rail or
    road between two airports); and
  • have a confirmed onward booking that will leave within 24 hours of your arrival in the UK.
You must also have the documents you need:
  • to enter the country you are traveling to; and
  • for any other country that you may pass through on your journey.
You are advised to contact your carrier before departure. Some Airlines may refuse to board passengers without visas.

This waiver does not apply to:

  1. Nationals of these countries:
    Afghanistan Congo, Dem. Republic of Kenya Senegal
    Albania Ecuador Lebanon

    Serbia and Montenegro(including documents issued by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo)
    Algeria Eritrea Liberia Sierra Leone
    Angola Ethiopia Macedonia Sudan
    Bangladesh Gambia Malawi Somalia
    Belarus Ghana Moldova Sri Lanka
    Burma (Myanmar) Guinea Mongolia Tanzania
    Burundi Guinea – Bissau Nepal Turkey
    Cameroon India Nigeria Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
    China, PR Iran Palestinian Authority Uganda
    Colombia Iraq Pakistan Vietnam
    Congo Ivory Coast Rwanda Zimbabwe

    2. If you hold a passport from one of these countries, you will need a Direct Airside Transit or a Visitor in Transit
    visa unless you qualify under one of the exemptions.

  2. Anyone intending to visit friends, family, go shopping or sightseeing etc. You will require a visit visa.
  3. Anyone holding STAFF or OPEN dated tickets. You will also require a visit visa.

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