Do I need a UK Transit Visa?

[HavocXphere]

If you don't leave the airport you shouldn't need a visa is what I thought, it's bull to need one for a stop over. It is not like you're actually leaving the airport.

As logical as that sounds...it's wrong...he needs a visa even if not leaving the airport. The UK has a very snazzy website which tells you these things:

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/south-africa/transit/somewhere_else/no

I travelled through Heathrow in Feb to the USA. Spent almost 4 hours layover going and 9 hours coming back.

I did not need a UK visa.

You didn't need a visa because you were exempt. OP is not.

 

[Voicy]

Yeah the Heathrow waiver is because the UK piggybacks off the USA's visa checks on you.

As for the transit VISA, I doubt that airport staff at ORT will even let you board if you don't already have your visa in place.

But I'm glad you picked Lufthanza/Swiss. Much nicer airports.

 

[Ancalagon]

As logical as that sounds...it's wrong...he needs a visa even if not leaving the airport. The UK has a very snazzy website which tells you these things:

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y/south-africa/transit/somewhere_else/no


You didn't need a visa because you were exempt. OP is not.

I found that website confusing that is mostly because I was in disbelief. Like, why on earth would I need a visa to use your airport?

I do think they could have improved it though. Like, you answer the 4 questions and then they say you may need a visa unless you meet one of the following exemptions. Why not just ask you more questions until they can say with certainty whether you would need a visa or not? Don't do half a job UK.

Cos you get to the end of this process and it's like, you MAY need a VISA unless. I want YES or NO. And, then they mention this Schengen ADS thing, and immediately my brain sees the word Schengen and thinks I am fine. I'm probably not the only one. Then, even if you search for this Schengen ADS thing, most of the hits you get are from that Visa website or press releases about it. So I think, well maybe it refers to Schengen Visas in general?

Yeah the Heathrow waiver is because the UK piggybacks off the USA's visa checks on you.

As for the transit VISA, I doubt that airport staff at ORT will even let you board if you don't already have your visa in place.

But I'm glad you picked Lufthanza/Swiss. Much nicer airports.

I don't think they would have let me board, so I am relieved to have sorted it out.

 

[HavocXphere]

Cos you get to the end of this process and it's like, you MAY need a VISA unless. I want YES or NO

That would require clicking through more buttons for the 10+ exemptions.

It's not perfect, but it's pretty good. I find most country's visa websites (if they even have one) far less user friendly.

 

[Ancalagon]

That would require clicking through more buttons for the 10+ exemptions.

It's not perfect, but it's pretty good. I find most country's visa websites (if they even have one) far less user friendly.

Yes, but that is still better because it gives you certainty.