What kind of UK transit visa do I need? Please help.
Hi, I'm travelling from India to Switzerland on the 17th of June and coming back on the 29th of June. I'm travelling for business/conferene pruposes.
Here is my itinerary (and the confusion):
From India to Switzerland: 17th June: Leave India at 2:40 AM, arrive in London at 8:55 AM (local time). Layover in London from 8:55 to 13:05 on 17th June. Then, depart at 13:00 from London to Geneva.
For this part of the trip, the layover at Heathrow is around 4 hours, and departure is on the same day.
From Switzerland to India: 28th June - departure from Geneva to Heathrow at 12:35, arrive in London at 13:25. Layover in London is from 13:25 (28th June) to 9:55(29th June). Then, depart from London to India at 9:55 on the 29th of June.
For this part of the trip, the layover at Heathrow is around 20 hr 30 min, and departure is on the next day.
Confusion: On the UK govt website, it is not clear what kind of visa I need. I tried contacting British Airways, but they are clueless as well about the requirement to pass through the border control in the UK. As per my current understanding, I require a direct ariside visa while I'm going to Switzerland and require a visitor in transit visa while returning home.
is that correct? do i have to apply for both the visas?