The issue of transit through the United Kingdom when traveling to Canada is one of the most important for Ukrainian citizens planning to emigrate, take a tourist trip, or visit relatives in Canada. Given the lack of direct flights between Ukraine and Canada as of 2026, virtually all trips require a connection at one of the European hubs, and London remains one of the most popular options due to its developed infrastructure, numerous airlines, and convenient connections. However, the visa regime between Ukraine and the UK raises additional questions about the need for a transit visa, documents, and procedures that must be followed for legal transit through British airports.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of visa requirements for transit through London, considers various travel scenarios, explains the nuances of transit with a Canadian visa, and contains practical recommendations for Ukrainian travelers. Particular attention is paid to changes in UK visa legislation that came into force in 2025-2026, including the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization system and its impact on Ukrainians.
Visa status of Ukraine and the UK: fundamental context
To understand the transit rules, it is necessary to first understand the visa status of Ukrainian citizens in relation to the United Kingdom. Although Ukraine is part of the European visa policy and has had a visa-free regime with the Schengen countries since 2017, the UK remains a separate case, as it has left the European Union and is not part of Schengen.
As of January 2026, Ukrainian citizens require a visa to enter the UK, regardless of the purpose of their trip and the length of their stay. This rule applies to all regions of the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is critical to understand that the visa regime applies even to holders of Ukrainian biometric passports. Unlike Schengen countries, where a biometric passport entitles the holder to visa-free entry for 90 days within a 180-day period, this document does not grant any privileges regarding the waiver of visa requirements for the United Kingdom.
This fundamental difference often causes confusion among Ukrainian travelers who are accustomed to visa-free travel in Europe and mistakenly assume that the same rules apply to the UK. In fact, Ukrainians belong to the category of visa nationals — citizens of countries that require a visa for any type of entry into the UK. This means that, in theory, even simple transit through a British airport may require special permission.
However, UK visa legislation contains important exceptions and special rules for transit passengers, which make it possible to legally transit through British airports without obtaining a full transit visa under certain circumstances. It is these exceptions and their application to Ukrainians with Canadian visas that form the basis of our analysis.
Types of UK transit visas: a breakdown of categories
UK visa legislation distinguishes between several types of transit permits depending on how the passenger passes through the airport. Understanding these categories is critical to determining which document is required in a particular situation.
Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV)
The Direct Airside Transit Visa is the simplest and cheapest type of transit permit, intended for passengers who remain in the international transit area of the airport and do not pass through UK passport control. This type of visa allows you to stay exclusively in the airside area of the airport — that is, in the part located after passport control on departure and before passport control on arrival in another country.
A DATV costs £35 and allows for a single transit through a UK airport. The visa must be obtained in advance through the online system or at a British consulate or visa center, as it is not possible to obtain it directly at the airport upon arrival. This is a crucial point: if a passenger arrives at a British airport without the required DATV, they will not be allowed through customs control and will be forcibly sent back on a flight to their country of departure, and the airline that allowed such a passenger to board will face financial penalties.
The DATV is only suitable for transit through airports that have special airside transit facilities, i.e., the ability to transfer between flights without leaving the airport. As of 2026, only two airports in the UK officially offer such facilities: London Heathrow and Manchester Airport. This means that transit through other British airports, including London Gatwick, automatically requires passing through passport control, which makes DATV unsuitable for such routes.
Visitor in Transit Visa
The Visitor in Transit Visa is intended for passengers who must pass through UK passport control during transit but plan to leave the UK within 48 hours. This type of visa costs £64 and is significantly more expensive and complicated to obtain than DATV.
The most common situations where a Visitor in Transit Visa is required include the need to collect and re-check baggage, travel between different airports within the same city, or transit through an airport that does not have airside transit facilities. For example, if a passenger arrives at London Heathrow and their next flight departs from London Gatwick, they must physically leave the Heathrow airside area, pass through passport control, travel by ground transportation to Gatwick, check in, and pass through security again. Such a journey clearly requires passing through British border control, which makes a Visitor in Transit Visa mandatory.
The visa is valid for 48 hours from the moment of arrival in the UK, which means that the passenger must leave the country before the end of this period. In practice, this allows for an overnight transfer, a short visit to the city, or a long wait for a connecting flight, but does not give the right to a long stay or tourism.
Transit Without Visa (TWOV)
Transit Without Visa is not a separate type of visa, but rather an exception to the general visa requirements, which allows certain categories of visa nationals to transit through the UK without applying for a transit visa. This is a critically important category for Ukrainians who have Canadian visas, as it is this category that makes it possible to transit through London legally without additional visa costs and bureaucracy.
TWOV does not require separate processing or application — it is an automatic right granted to passengers who meet certain criteria. However, passengers must ensure that they meet all requirements, as the airline will check their eligibility before boarding, and any non-compliance will result in denied boarding.
There are two subtypes of TWOV depending on whether the passenger passes through passport control or not: airside TWOV (without passing through border control) and landside TWOV (with passing through border control). Both options are available to Ukrainians with Canadian visas, making TWOV an extremely flexible tool for various transit scenarios.
Transit Without Visa conditions for Ukrainians with a Canadian visa
To take advantage of the right to transit without a visa, Ukrainian citizens must meet all of the following requirements simultaneously. Failure to meet even one of them automatically invalidates TWOV and requires a transit visa.
Arrival and departure by plane
The first and most basic requirement is that the passenger must arrive in the UK by plane and also leave by plane. TWOV does not apply to travel by land, sea, or any other means of transportation. This means that if a passenger flies to London and then plans to travel to France by Eurostar train or ferry, they cannot use TWOV and must apply for a full UK visa.
In practice, this requirement rarely causes problems for Ukrainians traveling to Canada, as transatlantic travel is, for obvious reasons, exclusively by air. However, it is important to ensure that both flights — the one entering the UK and the one leaving it — are flights and not a combination of different modes of transport.
Confirmed connecting flight within a specified time
The second critical requirement is to have a confirmed connecting flight departing from the UK no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day after arrival. This rule gives passengers up to 48 hours for transit, depending on their arrival time.
For example, if a passenger arrives at London Heathrow on Monday at 10:00 a.m., their connecting flight to Canada must depart no later than Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. This allows for approximately 38 hours of transit time, which is sufficient for an overnight layover, a short rest at an airport hotel, or even a quick visit to central London if time permits.
It is critical to understand that the flight must be confirmed, not simply booked with the option to cancel. The airline will check for a confirmed reservation before boarding, and if the reservation is on a waitlist or standby, it may result in denied boarding. Passengers must have printed or electronic copies of both tickets — for the flight to the UK and the connecting flight to Canada.
A Reddit user who is a Ukrainian citizen and has successfully transited through London to Canada confirmed this rule: “Assuming you meet the requirements there (namely, you have a Canadian visa and your flight out from the UK leaves by midnight the day after your flight arriving into the UK) then you don't need a UK visa.” This practical confirmation from a real traveler demonstrates that the TWOV system really works for Ukrainians, provided that the time limits are observed.
Correct documents for the destination country
The third fundamental requirement is to have all the necessary documents to enter the destination country — in this case, Canada. This means that Ukrainian citizens must have a valid Canadian visa, as Ukraine is not on the list of countries whose citizens can visit Canada without a visa.
Canada requires Ukrainians to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (also known as a visitor visa) for any visits to the country, including tourism, visiting relatives, short-term study, or business trips. The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which applies to citizens of visa-exempt countries, is not suitable for Ukrainians. This is a crucial difference, as some Ukrainians mistakenly assume that they can use the simplified eTA system, when in fact they must go through the full visa application process through the Visa Application Centre.
The Canadian visa must be valid at the time of transit through the UK and at the time of arrival in Canada. If the visa has already been used, expired, or canceled for any reason, the right to TWOV is automatically lost. British border services and airlines check the validity of Canadian visas during the check-in and boarding process, so it is impossible to bypass this requirement.
Exemption document: Canadian visa as the “key” to TWOV
The fourth and most important requirement for Ukrainians is the availability of a so-called exemption document — a special document that exempts them from the need for a transit visa. British visa law defines several types of such documents, and a valid visa to Canada (as well as to the US, Australia, or New Zealand) is one of the key exemption documents.
Official British visa rules clearly state: “The applicant must also: (a) be travelling to or from (or on part of a reasonable journey to or from) Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the USA and have a valid visa for that country”. This means that a Ukrainian citizen who has a valid Canadian visa and is flying to Canada or returning from Canada automatically qualifies for TWOV, even if they are a citizen of a country that normally requires a transit visa for the UK.
An important nuance is that British law allows TWOV to be used not only for a direct route to Canada, but also for a “reasonable journey.” This means that if your route includes Ukraine → London → Canada, it is considered a direct and reasonable route. Even if the route includes additional stops in other countries (e.g., Ukraine → Warsaw → London → Canada), it can still qualify as reasonable as long as all flights are part of a single logical route to the final destination.
TWOV also applies to the return journey from Canada, but with certain restrictions. If you are returning from Canada to Ukraine via London and less than six months have passed since your last entry into Canada, you can use TWOV even if your Canadian visa has expired, provided you have proof of your recent stay in Canada (e.g., a stamp in your passport). If more than six months have passed, you will need a valid Canadian visa or other exemption document.
Other exemption documents that also entitle you to TWOV include a US Green Card (issued after April 21, 1998), a Canadian permanent residence permit (issued after June 28, 2002), valid US, Australian, or New Zealand visas, and certain types of EEA residence permits. This means that a Ukrainian citizen who has, for example, a US Green Card can transit through London without a transit visa, even if they are not flying to the US. One Reddit user confirmed this, describing a 19-hour layover in London with the right to leave the airport thanks to their Green Card.
Scenario 1: Airside transit through one airport
The first and simplest transit scenario is when a passenger arrives at one terminal of a British airport and departs from the same or a connected terminal of the same airport without leaving the international transit area. This is known as airside transit, where the passenger remains in the area after departure passport control and before arrival passport control.
Example: London Heathrow Terminal 5 → Terminal 5
London Heathrow is the largest airport in the UK and one of the main European hubs for transatlantic flights. The airport consists of five terminals, with Terminal 5 serving mainly British Airways and their Star Alliance partners. If both of your flights — the incoming flight from Ukraine (e.g., via a connection in a European city) and the outgoing flight to Canada — depart from Terminal 5, transit is extremely simple and does not require moving between terminals.
In this situation, upon arrival, the passenger simply follows the “Flight Connections” or “Transit” signs inside Terminal 5, passes through security (if necessary), and proceeds to the gate for their next flight. The entire process takes place in the airside area without any contact with British passport control.
Ukrainians with a Canadian visa do not need a Direct Airside Transit Visa in this scenario due to the exemption provided by the Canadian visa. A Reddit user who is Ukrainian and has successfully completed such a transit confirmed: “You're correct. Assuming you meet the requirements there (namely, you have a Canadian visa and your flight out from the UK leaves by midnight the day after your flight arriving into the UK) then you don't need a UK visa.”
In addition, as of 2026, there is an additional relaxation: a temporary exemption from the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) requirement for airside transit passengers at Heathrow and Manchester. This means that even if the ETA system is extended to more categories of travelers in the future, airside transit passengers at these two airports will remain exempt from this requirement.
Moving between terminals at Heathrow
A more complicated option is when flights arrive and depart from different Heathrow terminals. The airport has a special system of free transfers between terminals, which allows passengers to move without leaving the airside area. The Heathrow Express and free buses connect all terminals within the so-called “Heathrow Free Travel Zone,” allowing transit passengers to move between terminals without passing through passport control.
However, it is important to make sure that your airline provides through-check baggage — that is, checks your baggage through to your final destination. If your baggage is only checked through to London, you will have to collect it at the baggage claim area, which automatically means going through British passport control and moving from airside to landside transit. In this case, different rules apply, which we will discuss below.
Scenario 2: Landside transit with passport control
The second scenario is more complex and requires the passenger to physically pass through UK passport control. This is called landside transit because the passenger leaves the airside area (international transit area) for the landside area (the general territory of the UK, which is accessible to local residents).
When is landside transit required?
The most common situations requiring landside transit include changing airports (e.g., Heathrow → Gatwick), the need to collect checked baggage and re-check it, or transiting through an airport without airside transit facilities. London Gatwick, despite being London's second-largest airport, does not have airside transit facilities, so all passengers arriving at Gatwick with a connecting flight must go through passport control.
Traveling between Heathrow and Gatwick requires leaving Heathrow, going through passport control, traveling by ground transportation (usually by bus or Gatwick Express train, which takes approximately 60-90 minutes), arriving at Gatwick, checking in for the next flight, and going through security. This entire process clearly requires entry into the UK, which is classified as landside transit.
Do you need a visa for landside transit?
In theory, Ukrainians need a Visitor in Transit Visa for landside transit, which costs £64 and allows them to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours. However, this is where the Transit Without Visa exemption comes into play, which makes this visa unnecessary under certain conditions.
Official British government documentation clearly states that visa nationals (including Ukrainians) can carry out landside transit without a visa if they meet all of the following criteria: arrival and departure by plane, a confirmed connecting flight before 11:59 p.m. the following day, the correct documents for the destination country, and the availability of an exemption document.
The key point is the exemption document: “The applicant must also: (a) be traveling to or from (or on part of a reasonable journey to or from) Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the USA and have a valid visa for that country.” This means that a Ukrainian citizen with a valid Canadian visa is entitled to landside transit through the UK without an additional transit visa, even if they pass through passport control and physically enter the country.
This is confirmed by numerous testimonials from Ukrainians on Reddit forums. A user who was planning to transit from Heathrow to Gatwick received confirmation: "Not true my friend, the UK allows transit without a visa for some nationalities if they hold a visa for certain countries like Canada, US, NZ or Australia. There's a list of caveats, but usually as long as it's an air-to-air transit, your onward flight leaves before midnight the next day, and your documents are valid for the arriving country and you have a visa, residence card, etc. for that country, then you don't need a transit visa."
Practical example: Kyiv → Heathrow → Gatwick → Toronto
Let's say a Ukrainian citizen is flying from Kyiv to Warsaw to London Heathrow (arriving at 2:00 p.m. on Monday) and then has a connecting flight from London Gatwick to Toronto (departing at 8:00 p.m. on Monday). This route requires travel between airports and mandatory passage through British passport control.
With a valid Canadian visa, such a passenger is eligible for TWOV and does not need a British transit visa. When passing through passport control at Heathrow, they must present their Ukrainian passport, a confirmed ticket for the Gatwick → Toronto flight (departing on the same day), and show their Canadian visa in their passport. The border officer will check these documents and allow entry into the UK as a transit passenger without a visa.
The passenger has the right to leave the airport, travel by ground transportation to Gatwick, and even if he has a few hours of free time, he can briefly visit central London, provided that he has time to return to Gatwick and depart by 11:59 p.m. the next day. In practice, however, allowing enough time for travel and unforeseen delays is a wiser approach than risking missing a flight for the sake of sightseeing.
New developments in 2025-2026: Electronic Travel Authorization and its impact
As of 2026, the UK has implemented a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which has added an extra layer of complexity to visa requirements and transit rules. Understanding how the ETA affects Ukrainians is critical to avoiding confusion and mistakes when planning your trip.
What is UK ETA
UK Electronic Travel Authorization is a digital entry permit similar to the US ESTA or Canadian eTA. The ETA system was introduced in October 2023, initially for Qatari citizens, then gradually expanded to other nationalities, and as of February 25, 2026, became mandatory for citizens of 85 countries who were previously able to visit the UK without a visa.
The ETA costs £10 (with plans to increase to £16), is valid for up to two years or until the passport expires (whichever comes first), and allows multiple entries into the UK. Applications are made online via the official UK ETA app or the government website, and decisions are usually made within three working days.
On February 25, 2026, the “no permission, no travel” policy came into effect, meaning that airlines must check for an ETA before allowing passengers to board flights to the UK. Passengers without a valid ETA or visa will not be allowed to board, regardless of the duration and purpose of their visit.
Do Ukrainians need an ETA?
The key question for Ukrainian citizens is whether the ETA requirement applies to them. The answer is clear: no, Ukrainians are not eligible for a UK ETA and cannot apply for one.
The ETA is intended exclusively for citizens of countries that fall into the category of visa-exempt nationals — that is, those who can visit the UK without a visa for short-term visits. This list includes citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea, and other developed countries.
Ukraine is not on the list of ETA-eligible countries because Ukrainians are visa-required nationals — they need a full visa for any type of entry into the UK. The official list of ETA-eligible nationalities does not include Ukraine at any stage of the system's implementation.
This fundamental difference often causes confusion, as some online sources claim that “all foreigners will need an ETA from 2026,” but in fact this only applies to visa-exempt nationals. For visa-required nationals (including Ukrainians), traditional visa requirements continue to apply without the possibility of using the simplified ETA system.
Temporary exemption from ETA for airside transit
However, even for those nationalities that normally require an ETA, there is an important exception: a temporary exemption from the ETA requirement for airside transit passengers at London Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
From January 16, 2025, the UK Home Office has announced that passengers transiting airside through Heathrow or Manchester and not passing through passport control are exempt from the requirement to obtain an ETA. The official statement clearly states: “Passengers who are transiting airside and do not pass through UK border control are now exempt from the requirement to obtain an ETA.”
This exemption applies regardless of the passenger's nationality — even citizens of countries that normally require an ETA can transit airside without one. However, the exemption is temporary and under constant review, so the situation may change in the future.
For Ukrainians, this exemption has limited practical impact, as they cannot obtain an ETA anyway due to their visa-required status. However, it further simplifies airside transit through Heathrow and Manchester, confirming that such transit does not require any additional permits other than the TWOV exemption provided by a Canadian visa.
Landside transit and ETA
For landside transit (when a passenger passes through passport control), an ETA remains mandatory for eligible nationalities. However, since Ukrainians are not ETA-eligible and require a visa to enter the UK in any case, the only exception for them remains TWOV based on a Canadian visa.
This means that a Ukrainian citizen with a Canadian visa who is traveling in landside transit (e.g., Heathrow → Gatwick) does not need an ETA (since they cannot obtain one) or a transit visa (thanks to the TWOV exemption). The only documents required are a Ukrainian passport, a valid Canadian visa, and confirmed tickets for both flights.
Canadian visa requirements for Ukrainians
To fully understand transit through London to Canada, it is also necessary to consider Canadian visa requirements, as it is the Canadian visa that is the key to British TWOV.
Types of Canadian visas for Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens require a visa to enter Canada regardless of the purpose of their trip. Unlike citizens of visa-free countries, who can use the simplified Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system costing 7 Canadian dollars, Ukrainians must apply for a full Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
There are two main types of TRVs depending on the purpose of the trip: Visitor Visa (tourist/guest visa) and Transit Visa (transit visa). A Visitor Visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 6 months and is suitable for tourism, visiting relatives, short-term study, or business trips. A Transit Visa is intended solely for transit through a Canadian airport for a maximum of 48 hours without the intention of leaving the airport transit area.
Ukrainians traveling to Canada as their final destination require a Visitor Visa. The application fee is CAD 100, but for Ukrainians, the transit visa is free as part of special support measures. The application process includes submitting an online application, providing biometric data (fingerprints and photo) at the Visa Application Centre, and waiting for a decision, which is usually made within 2-4 weeks.
The process of applying for a Canadian visa in Ukraine
As of 2026, the Canada Visa Application Centre (VAC) is operating in Kyiv after resuming operations in 2023. The centre is located at 8 Illinska Street, Ilinsky Business Centre, Kyiv, and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To submit your biometric data, you must make an appointment by sending an email to [email protected]. After receiving a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) from the Canadian government, applicants must make an appointment and come in person to the VAC with the following documents: passport, letter with instructions for submitting biometric data, appointment confirmation, and written consent from the visa center signed by each applicant.
It should be noted that some categories of Ukrainians are exempt from the requirement to submit biometrics abroad before entering Canada: persons aged 14-17, persons over 60, and those who have previously held a Canadian visa and have not violated its terms. These categories can submit biometric data upon arrival in Canada at special border points.
Canadian visa as an exemption document for UK TWOV
Once a Ukrainian citizen receives a valid Canadian visa in their passport, this document automatically entitles them to Transit Without Visa when transiting through the UK on their way to or from Canada. There is no need to submit a separate application or obtain additional confirmation from the British authorities — the presence of a visa is sufficient proof of entitlement to TWOV.
When checking in for a flight, the airline will check for a Canadian visa and a confirmed ticket for a connecting flight to Canada. If both documents are in order and the time limits are met, the passenger will be allowed to board without any additional visa documents for the UK.
Practical aspects of transit: infrastructure and logistics
Understanding the theoretical visa rules is necessary but not sufficient for successful transit. It is also important to know the practical aspects of traveling through UK airports, time restrictions, and potential pitfalls.
Minimum connection time
Different airports and airlines set a minimum connection time (MCT) required for successful flight connections. At London Heathrow, the MCT varies from 60 to 90 minutes for connections between international flights within the same terminal, and from 90 to 120 minutes when moving between terminals.
For landside transit, which requires travel between airports (e.g., Heathrow → Gatwick), the recommended minimum is at least 4-5 hours, taking into account passport control, baggage claim, travel (60-90 minutes by transport), re-check-in, and security control. Many experienced travelers recommend allowing even more time, especially if the first flight is at risk of delay.
Baggage: through-check vs separate check-in
A critical factor is whether the airline offers through-check baggage to the final destination. If both flights are operated by the same airline or partners within an alliance (Star Alliance, Oneworld, SkyTeam), baggage is usually automatically rechecked for the connecting flight without passenger involvement.
However, if the flights are purchased separately (separate tickets) or operated by airlines without interlining agreements, the passenger must collect their baggage in London and re-check it, which requires passing through passport control even if both flights depart from the same terminal. In this case, landside transit rules apply, not airside.
Before booking tickets, it is extremely important to check with the airline whether they offer through-check baggage. If not, you will need to allow extra time for baggage collection and re-check-in.
Choosing an airline and route
As of 2026, there are no direct flights between Ukraine and Canada. All trips require at least one connection in a European or Middle Eastern hub. The most popular routes from Ukraine to Canada include connections through Warsaw, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Paris, or London.
For transit through London, the most popular airlines are British Airways (via Heathrow), Air Canada (via Heathrow with a connecting flight to Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal), and Lufthansa or LOT Polish Airlines with a connection at their hubs before flying to London. Air Canada has also announced the expansion of its European network for summer 2026 with additional flights from European cities to Canadian destinations.
Ticket prices range from $300 to $1,500 CAD depending on the season, time of booking, and number of connections. Flights with two connections are usually cheaper but take longer and increase the risk of missing a connection due to delays.
Unforeseen situations and risks
The biggest risk when using TWOV is that you will not be able to obtain a transit visa at the airport if something goes wrong. The official policy clearly states: “You cannot obtain a transit visa while on the plane or at the border. If you require one and arrive without it, you will be refused entry, sent back to your original location, and your remaining flights may be canceled by the airline.”
This means that if for some reason your Canadian visa is invalid, expired, or the airline mistakenly does not allow you to board the flight, you will not be able to obtain an emergency transit visa in London. The only option is to return to your country of departure at your own expense, plus the possible complication of future visa applications due to a record of refusal of entry.
Therefore, it is critically important to triple-check the following before traveling: the validity of your Canadian visa, the accuracy of the information on your tickets, the availability of confirmed reservations for both flights, and compliance with time limits (connecting flight before 11:59 p.m. the next day).
Alternative routes: is it worth considering other options
Although transit through London is completely legal and practical for Ukrainians with Canadian visas, it is also worth considering alternative routes that may be easier or cheaper depending on the specific circumstances.
Transit through Schengen countries
Ukraine has a visa-free regime with the Schengen countries, allowing Ukrainians to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. This means that transit through Warsaw, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, or any other Schengen hub does not require any additional visas or permits — only a biometric passport is sufficient.
Routes via Warsaw (LOT Polish Airlines) are particularly popular among Ukrainians due to their geographical proximity, competitive prices, and ease of transit. Frankfurt (Lufthansa) and Amsterdam (KLM) offer excellent connections to Canadian cities with short layovers and reliable service.
The advantage of transiting through Schengen is the complete absence of visa requirements for Ukrainians, the ability to leave the airport for several hours without any restrictions, and less stress regarding documents compared to the British TWOV, which requires compliance with specific rules.
Transit through Istanbul
Another popular option is transit through Istanbul Airport (Turkish Airlines). Turkey offers a visa-free regime for Ukrainians for 90 days, and Turkish Airlines has an extensive network of flights to both Ukraine (Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv) and Canada (Toronto, Montreal). Istanbul Airport is one of the largest and most modern hubs in the world with excellent conditions for transit passengers.
The disadvantage is a significantly longer travel time compared to European routes, as Istanbul is located further southeast, adding several hours to the total travel time. However, Turkish Airlines ticket prices are often competitive, making this option attractive for budget-conscious travelers.
Direct routes with minimal connections
In terms of minimizing stress and risks, the best option is routes with as few connections as possible and through airports with a visa-free regime for Ukrainians. For example, Kyiv → Warsaw → Toronto (one connection in the Schengen area) is much simpler than Kyiv → Warsaw → London → Toronto (two connections, one of which is in a visa country).
If you already have a Canadian visa and plan to transit through London for other reasons (e.g., significantly cheaper tickets or a more convenient schedule), TWOV makes this entirely practical. However, if the difference in price or convenience is minimal, it is worth considering visa-free routes through Schengen to simplify your travel.
Conclusion: clear recommendations for Ukrainians
After a detailed analysis of all aspects of transit through London to Canada, clear and unambiguous conclusions can be drawn for Ukrainian citizens planning such a trip in 2026.
First, yes, Ukrainians can transit through London to Canada without a British transit visa, provided they have a valid Canadian visa and comply with certain rules. This applies to both airside transit (without passing through passport control) and landside transit (with passing through control, for example, when changing airports). The right to such transit is granted through the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) mechanism, which is an official exemption from the UK's general visa requirements for transit passengers with visas to certain countries, including Canada.
Second, it is critical to comply with all TWOV requirements simultaneously: arrival and departure by plane, a confirmed connecting flight departing no later than 11:59 p.m. the day after arrival, a valid Canadian visa, and the correct documents for entry into Canada. Failure to meet even one of these requirements automatically invalidates TWOV and requires a transit visa to be obtained in advance, as it is not possible to obtain one at the airport.
Third, Ukrainians are not eligible for UK Electronic Travel Authorization and cannot apply for it because they belong to the visa-required nationals category. However, this does not create problems for transit, as there is a temporary exemption from ETA for airside transit passengers at Heathrow and Manchester, and for landside transit, a TWOV exemption based on a Canadian visa is sufficient.
Fourth, airlines are required to check TWOV compliance before boarding. If the check is not passed, the passenger will be denied boarding, resulting in the loss of the ticket and possible additional costs. Therefore, before traveling, you must ensure that all documents are in order, time limits are met, and reservations are confirmed.
Fifth, it is recommended to have printed or electronic copies of all critical documents: Ukrainian passport with Canadian visa, both airline tickets (inbound to the UK and outbound to Canada), and booking confirmations. Although in theory the system is electronic and airlines have access to all information, in practice, having physical copies significantly speeds up the verification process and reduces the risk of misunderstandings.
Sixth, for complex itineraries or if you have doubts about compliance, the British government's official visa calculator is available at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa. This tool allows you to enter your nationality, type of travel, and itinerary details, and then provides a personalized recommendation on whether you need a visa. Many Ukrainians have successfully used this tool to confirm their eligibility for TWOV before booking tickets.
Finally, while transiting through London is perfectly legal and practical, it is also worth considering alternative routes through Schengen countries, where Ukrainians have visa-free travel and can transit without any additional requirements. Warsaw, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Paris offer excellent connections to Canada, often at competitive prices and with fewer visa formalities. The decision between transiting through London or Schengen should be based on a comparison of ticket prices, schedule convenience, personal preferences, and comfort level with different visa requirements.
Transiting through London to Canada for Ukrainians in 2026 is not only possible but also quite practical thanks to the Transit Without Visa system, which recognizes a Canadian visa as sufficient grounds for exemption from British transit visa requirements. The key to a successful trip is careful planning, checking all documents, adhering to time limits, and understanding the specific rules that apply to different transit scenarios. With the right preparation, transiting through one of Europe's largest aviation hubs can be a smooth, efficient, and hassle-free part of your journey to Canada.