Transiting or layover refers to passing through an airport while traveling to another country. In this case, a transit visa might be required. Every day, a large number of travelers transit through the UK. In this passage, we are going to discuss whether Chinese passport holders need a transit visa in Gatwick and how to apply for one.
Does a Chinese Passport Need a Visa for a Layover in Gatwick?
Yes. China is one of the visa-required countries for the United Kingdom. A transit visa is needed if:
- you are heading to another country and have sufficient funds to continue traveling.
- you can prove that you will be able to enter your destination country.
- you can prove that you are only going to transit through the UK instead of entering the country.
You have to persuade the officer that you will leave the UK and take an onward journey. Moreover, if you are not transiting through the UK to return to China, you must present a confirmed permit to enter your destination. However, if you satisfy the transit visa-free requirements that will be listed in the next section, you might not need a visa for the layover.
Visa-Free Layover Requirement for Chinese Passport Holders at Gatwick Airport
Chinese citizens will be exempt from a visa to transit airside when holding one of the following. You can also check whether a visa is needed on UK.GOV.
- A valid UK standard visitor visa.
- A valid UK marriage visitor visa.
- A valid EEA family permit as a partner or family member of an EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.
- A valid Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or USA visa.
- A valid permanent residence permit issued by Australia, Canada (issued after 28 June 2002), New Zealand, USA (issued after 21 April 1998).
- A valid US Immigrant visa endorsed with a US arrival stamp (not a wet-ink/ADIT stamp), an expired I-551 Permanent Residence card accompanied by a valid Form I-797, or a standalone US Immigration Form 155A/155B (attached to a sealed brown envelope.
- A valid residence permit or category D visa issued by a European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland.
- A valid biometric visa issued by Ireland with a “BC” or “BC BIVS” in the “Remarks” section.
- A valid group tourism visa under the Schengen Approved Destination Scheme (ADS) and you are traveling to the country that issues the visa.
- A valid Schengen ADS visa along with a valid air ticket traveling from a Schengen state and you stay there for less than 30 days.
Type of UK Transit Visas for Chinese Passport Holders
The UK transit visa can be divided into the types below depending on whether you are passing through the UK border control and how long you are going to stay. Passing through the border control is necessary on the following conditions.
- You will leave the main airport building for shopping, hotel check-in, or any other reasons; or
- You have to reclaim your luggage and check it in for the onward flight; or
- You have to catch an onward flight at a different airport from the one that you land at; or
- The connecting flight will leave on another day and you cannot stay overnight at the airport.
Below we have listed various types of UK transit visas, application fees and how long you can stay for your reference:
| Transit Visa Type | Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) | Visitor in Transit Visa | Standard Visitor Visa |
| When I Need | Change flights in the UK; Not pass through UK border control. | Change flights in the UK; Pass through UK border control; Leave the UK in 48 hours. | Stay in the UK for over 48 hours; or Frequently pass through the UK border control within a 6-month period. |
| How Long I Can Stay | 24 hours | 48 hours | 6 months |
| Application Fee | About £35 | £64 | £115 |
How to Apply for a UK Transit Visa
After confirming your eligibility to apply for a transit visa and choosing the proper visa type, you can start the application online using the instructions below.
Prepare Supporting Documents
- A valid Chinese passport with at least one blank page;
- Proof of onward ticket to leave the UK;
- Proof of financial capability to fund your trip;
- A recent passport photo;
- A valid visa or residence permit from the country that you are traveling to;
- Proof of employment/self-employment/retirement or student status (if applicable).
If the documents are not in English, please include a certified translation along with the original copy.
Apply for a Transit Visa Online
- Go to Gov.uk and click on the “Apply now” button.
- Register an email address and set a password. The email ID is used to activate your account and receive official notification, so please make sure it is valid.
- Provide a valid phone number and choose a proper method to contact you.
- Answer questions about personal information, including phone number, name, gender, marital status, address, nationality, date and place of birth, etc.
- Provide passport and ID card details, including passport number, issuing authority, issue date, and expiry date.
- Specify your employment status, financial situation, and expenditure.
- Give travel details and travel plans, such as date of arrival in and departure from the UK, place of landing, reasons for travel, duration of layover, destination, accommodation, etc.
- Explain your travel history to the UK and other countries (if applicable) and verify whether you have violated any immigration laws.
- Prove you are a person of good character by stating any possible convictions and penalties.
- Add information about the dependents and parents.
- Review the information that you have provided. If there is anything wrong, click on the “Change” link to correct it. If there is nothing wrong, click on the “Continue” button.
Fulfill the UK Transit Visa Application
- Check the mandatory documents and other supporting documents.
- Make a declaration to agree to all terms and conditions.
- Select a service for payment and fulfill payment through WorldPay.
- Upload clear photocopies or scanned copies of the required documents according to the instructions for further action.
- Attend an appointment to submit biometrics (fingerprints and personal photographs).
- Receive the visa about 3 weeks after your application is approved. The waiting time might be longer in peak seasons, so it is recommended to apply for it as early as possible.
8 Tips on Transition in Gatwick
London Gatwick, or Gatwick Airport is the second largest and busiest airport in the UK. As one of the top 10 airports in Europe, it is also a popular transit airport for Chinese to travel to other Europe countries, North America, etc. To avoid any delaying your onward trip, here are some useful tips for transiting at London Gatwick.
- Check basic information about the airline you will take, procedures to transit, and connection time, which will help you to plan your journey.
- Know where you are going. It might be difficult to find the right direction in this crowded airport. You should review the connection information or turn to the flight attendants.
- Check-in early. You might have to go through baggage claims/check-ins, security checks, border control, etc, so it is suggested to arrive earlier, preferably 3 hours in advance for a long-haul flight and 2 hours for a short-haul one.
- Fill out the disembarkation cards and forms in advance if possible, which will save you time at the immigration desk.
- Read the security pages on Gatwick airport portal and make preparations, which will accelerate security checks.
- Book special assistance at least 48 hours before arrival, such as support for people with limited mobility, seniors, visually impaired persons, etc.
- Try a variety of restaurants and bars at Gatwick, so you can taste local food without leaving the airport.
- Enjoy 10% off, prior reservations, and in-store collection at the World Duty-Free at London Gatwick if you want to do shopping.
FAQ
💙 Do I need a transit visa for a 3-hour layover in London?
Yes, unless you meet the visa-free requirements.
💙 Do I need a transit visa if I am not leaving the London airport?
Yes. You should apply for a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) unless you are exempt.
💙 Who is exempt from the UK transit visa?
Persons with EU settlement scheme family permit, standard visitor visa, or marriage visitor visa do not need a visa to transit through the UK.
💙 Do I need a transit visa for the UK if I have a US visa?
No. You can use a US visa to transit through the UK and travel to any other country.
Summary
Chinese passport holders should obtain a visa to transit through the UK unless they hold a valid visa or residence permit from some countries. The UK transit visa could be applied for on the Home Office portal. Whether you need a visa for a layover or not, we hope our tips will help you transit through quickly and smoothly.
Dolores Xiao