Can you leave the airport?
To leave the airport, Filipino citizens need a UK Visitor in Transit visa (up to 48 hours) or a Standard Visitor visa.
Airside vs landside: what it means
You stay in the international transit area and never pass passport control.
You clear immigration to collect bags, change airports, use an outside hotel or visit the city. This always needs entry permission for the United Kingdom.
Tips before you book
- Heathrow has no airside hotel. An overnight connection may need a UK visa.
Layover guides for the United Kingdom
Frequently asked questions
Do Filipino citizens need a transit visa for the United Kingdom?
Usually no, if you stay airside. Filipino citizens are not on the UK's Direct Airside Transit Visa list, so they can usually change planes airside in the UK without a visa if they have a confirmed onward flight and the right documents for their destination.
Can Filipino citizens leave the airport during a layover in the United Kingdom?
To leave the airport, Filipino citizens need a UK Visitor in Transit visa (up to 48 hours) or a Standard Visitor visa.
Other transit rules for Filipino passport holders
Official sources
Last checked against these sources on 3 November 2026. Rules change, so always confirm with the official source or your airline before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.