Do You Need a Transit Visa?
Flying through another country on your way to your destination? Check if you need a transit visa for your stopover, before you book. Free, no signup.
- 1Enter your route · Passport, stops, destination
- 2We check official rules · Government sources, cited
- 3Get your verdict · Per stop, with next steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about transit visas and airport transfers.
What is a transit visa?
Do I need a transit visa if I don't leave the airport?
What is a DATV (Direct Airside Transit Visa)?
What is a Schengen Airport Transit Visa (ATV)?
Can my airline deny boarding even if no transit visa is required?
Does the transit visa checker cover all countries?
What does it mean when a result says it cannot confirm something?
What should I do if the checker says I need a visa?
Is this transit visa checker free?
Do I have to create an account or upload any documents?
Transit Visa Requirements by Country
UK · DATV (Direct Airside Transit Visa)
The UK requires nationals of certain countries to obtain a DATV to transit airside through UK airports, even without passing through border control. A valid US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Irish or Schengen visa can waive it, and several of those waivers apply only when your journey is to or from the country that issued the visa. A Direct Airside Transit visa costs £41.50 on gov.uk.
Check UK DATV rules on gov.uk
Schengen Zone · Airport Transit Visa (ATV)
The EU requires nationals of 14 countries (Annex IV list) to hold an ATV for transiting through Schengen-area airports. Certain US, Canadian, Japanese or Schengen documents can waive it, and the waiver depends on the document and on your route. Individual Schengen states may maintain additional national ATV lists.
Check full visa requirements
Qatar · Airside Transit + Optional Transit Visa
No visa is required for airside transit at Hamad International Airport (DOH). To leave the airport during a layover, a Qatar Transit Visa is available for eligible passengers, valid for up to 4 days (3 nights), applied for through Discover Qatar. It costs QAR 100 per applicant and the process takes at least 3 working days, so arrange it before you fly.
Turkey · Conditional e-Visa for Exit
Airside transit through Istanbul does not require a visa for most nationalities. Two exceptions matter: ten nationalities need a free electronic Airport Transit Visa (e-ATV) even airside at IST when the onward flight goes to Mexico, Panama, Colombia or Venezuela, and if you want to leave the airport you may need a Turkish e-Visa unless you hold a valid US, UK or Schengen visa. Confirm eligibility at evisa.gov.tr.
Every rule records the source it came from, and the date it was last checked. Always confirm with your airline before travel. Last updated: Sep 2026.
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