A transit visa allows you to enter a country temporarily to change flights or catch another form of transport to your onward destination. These visas are often essential if your passport is not eligible for visa waivers or other online visa alternatives in the country in question.

A transit visa is a specialized, short-term visa that allows a traveler to pass through a country's territory on their way to a final destination. In 2026, these visas are typically required if your layover involves leaving the international transit area of the airport—for example, if you need to go through immigration to collect and re-check bags, change airports (like moving from London Heathrow to Gatwick), or if you want to leave the terminal to stay in a hotel overnight. The necessity of a transit visa depends heavily on your nationality and the country you are passing through. Some countries, like the UK or the US, have very strict "Direct Airside Transit" rules, while others allow many nationalities to transit without a visa as long as they don't pass through border control. A transit visa usually has a very limited validity, often between 24 and 72 hours. It is not intended for tourism or business; its sole purpose is to facilitate your onward journey while ensuring you comply with the local immigration laws of the "middle" country.