Transit rules for the UK, US and Schengen Area

Last checked: 19 October 2026 · Guides

Airside transit does not mean visa-free transit. The UK separates Direct Airside Transit from border-control transit ¹. The United States normally requires a C transit visa, valid visitor visa or Visa Waiver Program eligibility. The traveller is processed for US entry ². Schengen rules require an airport transit visa for nationalities on a common list, and individual states add national requirements ^3,4.

UK airside: Direct Airside Transit visa may be required ¹
UK landside: Visitor in Transit visa may be required ¹
US: C visa, valid B visa or VWP route ²
Schengen airside: Common and national nationality lists ^3,4
Checked: 19 October 2026

Transit systems compared

System	Airside position	If border control is crossed	Key check
United Kingdom	A Direct Airside Transit visa may be needed ¹	A Visitor in Transit visa may be needed for departure within 48 hours ¹	Use the UK nationality checker and ask the airline whether border control is crossed
United States	No general sterile-airside exemption is offered on the State Department route. Transit uses C, a valid B visa or VWP ²	All routes involve US immigration permission	Check visa or ESTA eligibility before boarding
Schengen Area	Named nationalities need an Airport Transit Visa, with exemptions ^3,5	Crossing the external border uses the ordinary Schengen entry rule	Check the common list and the airport state’s national list ^3,4

United Kingdom

A passenger changing flights without UK border control may need a Direct Airside Transit visa. A passenger who passes border control and leaves within 48 hours may need a Visitor in Transit visa ¹.

An ETA, qualifying UK visa or another listed document can remove the transit-visa requirement. The airline can say whether the itinerary requires border control, but the government checker determines the document rule ¹.

United States

The State Department says immediate and continuous transit normally uses a C visa. A valid B visitor visa can be used in some cases, and eligible Visa Waiver Program nationals can transit with ESTA ².

A transit itinerary does not permit sightseeing or a visit as the primary purpose. That activity needs the appropriate visitor permission ².

Schengen Area

The Visa Code requires nationals in Annex IV to hold an Airport Transit Visa for the international transit area. The common list includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DRC, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka ^3,5.

Individual Schengen states impose extra airport-transit requirements on additional nationalities. The European Commission publishes a state-by-state table. Valid visas or residence permits from specified countries, diplomatic passports and other categories can qualify for exemptions ^4,5.

Connection checks

Check every airport and every passport used on the itinerary.
Ask whether checked baggage must be collected and rechecked.
Check whether a terminal change crosses border control.
Confirm entry permission for the final destination.
Allow for overnight connections where the international transit area may close.

Common questions

Do I need a UK visa if I stay airside?

Some nationalities do. The relevant route is the Direct Airside Transit visa ¹.

Can I transit the US without entering?

US transit normally requires C, a valid B visa or eligible VWP travel with ESTA ².

Does every nationality need a Schengen airport transit visa?

No. The requirement applies to the common list and extra national lists, subject to exemptions ^3,4⁵.

Does an airport transit visa let me leave the airport?

No. Crossing the external border requires the ordinary entry permission.

Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.

Sources

UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
A UK ETA costs £20 and lasts 2 years or until your passport expires. Who needs one, who is exempt, how to apply and how to avoid paying extra.
US Visa Waiver Program countries
The current US Visa Waiver Program list, ESTA requirement, 90-day limit, passport rules and travel-history exclusions.
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System)
ETIAS is not yet running. It will cost €20, last 3 years and cover 30 European countries. Who will need it, who is exempt and the official site.
China entry rules
China’s 30-day visa-free policy, 240-hour transit conditions, online arrival card and separate Hong Kong and Macao rules.