Transit visa for London (LHR)
Who can connect at London Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom, without a visa: an airside transfer on one ticket, staying in the international transit area.
- Indian passportVisa needed unless exempt
India is on the UK's Direct Airside Transit Visa list, so you need one even airside. Exempt with a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa or permanent residence, an EEA or Swiss residence permit, a Schengen long-stay (type D) visa, an Irish biometric visa, or a UK visitor visa. A Schengen short-stay visa does not exempt you.
- Pakistani passportVisa needed unless exempt
Pakistan is on the UK's Direct Airside Transit Visa list, so you need one even airside. Exempt with a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa or permanent residence, an EEA or Swiss residence permit, a Schengen long-stay (type D) visa, an Irish biometric visa, or a UK visitor visa. A Schengen short-stay visa does not exempt you.
- Bangladeshi passportVisa needed unless exempt
Bangladesh is on the UK's Direct Airside Transit Visa list, so you need one even airside. Exempt with a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa or permanent residence, an EEA or Swiss residence permit, a Schengen long-stay (type D) visa, an Irish biometric visa, or a UK visitor visa. A Schengen short-stay visa does not exempt you.
- Sri Lankan passportVisa needed unless exempt
Sri Lanka is on the UK's Direct Airside Transit Visa list, so you need one even airside. Exempt with a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa or permanent residence, an EEA or Swiss residence permit, a Schengen long-stay (type D) visa, an Irish biometric visa, or a UK visitor visa. A Schengen short-stay visa does not exempt you.
- Nepali passportVisa needed unless exempt
Nepal is on the UK's Direct Airside Transit Visa list, so you need one even airside. Exempt with a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa or permanent residence, an EEA or Swiss residence permit, a Schengen long-stay (type D) visa, an Irish biometric visa, or a UK visitor visa. A Schengen short-stay visa does not exempt you.
Leaving the airport during the layover
Passing UK border control needs a Visitor in Transit visa (leaving within 48 hours) or a Standard Visitor visa, unless you qualify for Transit Without Visa with US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, EEA or Irish documents.
Watch out
Changing airports (Heathrow to Gatwick, say) or checking bags in again on a self-transfer means passing UK border control, so a Direct Airside Transit Visa is not enough. Flying on to Ireland needs a visitor visa.
Checked on 25 October 2026 against these sources. Transit rules change often, and the airline and the immigration authority have the final say, so confirm with your airline before you travel.