The United Kingdom government has published a list of 73 countries and territories whose nationals must obtain an airport transit visa before passing through a UK airport, a requirement that applies in 2026. The guidance, released on the UK government's official website, affects travellers transiting through British airports without entering the country.
List of Countries Required to Get UK Airport Transit Visa
Nationals of the listed countries cannot pass through UK airport transit zones without holding the appropriate visa. The full list includes several African nations, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and others, alongside countries from Asia, the Americas, and Europe.
The 73 countries and territories covered by the requirement are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, China (People's Republic of), Colombia, Congo, Congo Dem. Republic, Cyprus (northern part of), Dominica, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini (Swaziland), Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Naoero, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela (non-biometric), Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe, and North Korea (not listed above but implied via transit rules).
Traveller Advisory and Related UK Border Updates
Travellers from the listed countries who plan to connect through UK airports should confirm their transit visa requirements well ahead of travel to avoid being denied boarding by airline carriers. The UK government's guidance is part of broader immigration controls affecting international passengers.
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that the UK had listed three conditions that travellers must meet for faster border clearance. Additionally, the UK previously named the only African country whose citizens are eligible for faster border clearance, with eligibility criteria published on the UK government's official website setting out the conditions a traveller must meet before applying for membership.
The UK's airport transit visa requirement is a key factor for nationals of the affected countries, including many African nations, when planning international travel through UK airports. The full list and detailed guidance are available on the UK government's official website, and affected travellers are advised to check their specific visa obligations before booking or boarding flights.
