Transit Visa Requirements At Frankfurt Airport: What You Need To Know

If you're travelling through Frankfurt Airport and wondering if you need a transit visa, the answer depends on a few factors. For most travellers, if you don't leave the international airport area and your destination is not in a Schengen country, you won't need a transit visa. However, if you need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover, such as to change terminals or if your final destination is in a Schengen country, you may require a visa. Nationals of certain countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, and Jordan, generally require a transit visa when passing through the international transit area of German airports. On the other hand, citizens from countries like the UK, the US, Canada, and Japan may be exempt from this requirement if they hold valid residence permits or visas. It's important to carefully check the requirements based on your nationality and specific travel circumstances to ensure you have the necessary documentation for your journey through Frankfurt Airport.

Nationals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo require a transit visa

A German transit visa allows you to switch flights in Germany to travel to a non-Schengen country. It is valid for up to 24 hours and you are prohibited from leaving the international transit area.

To apply for a German transit visa, you will need the following documents:

• A completed application form in English or German
• Two passport photographs that meet the strict requirements
• A valid passport for at least three more months with at least one blank page
• A copy of your passport's data page (A4 size)
• A confirmed airline ticket to your final destination and a copy
• A declaration of accuracy of information
• A copy of your valid visa/residence permit for your final destination, if applicable
• Proof of residence, such as your driver's license or a utility bill
• Proof of employment, self-employment, or student status

The process for a transit visa application usually takes a maximum of five working days. It is recommended to apply no earlier than six months before your planned date of transit and no later than two weeks before your travel date.

If you don't leave the airport, you don't need a transit visa

If you're travelling through Frankfurt Airport and don't plan on leaving the airport, you may not need a transit visa. This is known as the "transit privilege" and applies to the majority of foreign travellers. However, this is dependent on several factors, including your nationality, the duration of your stopover, and your final destination.

Firstly, your nationality plays a crucial role in determining whether you need a transit visa. Nationals of certain countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Jordan, and Turkey, generally require an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of German airports. On the other hand, holders of valid visas or residence permits from specific countries, such as the US, Schengen countries, Canada, and Japan, are often exempt from this requirement. It's important to check the official regulations for your specific nationality.

Secondly, the duration of your stopover is a factor. If your transit time does not exceed 12 hours, you typically will not need a German transit visa. However, if your stopover is longer, especially if it exceeds 24 hours, a transit visa may be required.

Lastly, your final destination is also a consideration. If your destination country is a member of the Schengen Zone, you will likely need to apply for a regular Schengen visa, not just a transit visa. Additionally, if you need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover, such as to change terminals or collect baggage, you may require a visa.

Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) is one of the German airports that have an international transit area, allowing you to transit without formally entering the Schengen area. This means that if you don't leave the international transit area and your nationality does not require a transit visa, you can generally pass through Frankfurt Airport without needing one. However, it's always advisable to check the specific requirements for your nationality and situation, as there may be exceptions or additional considerations.

If you need to enter the Schengen area, you may need a transit visa

If you are travelling through Frankfurt Airport and need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover, you may need a transit visa. This applies if, for example, you need to change terminals or if your final destination is in a Schengen country. Nationals of certain countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Jordan, and Turkey, are required to have an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of German airports.

To be exempt from the transit visa requirement, you must be a holder of a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen country or one of the following countries: Andorra, Japan, Canada, San Marino, or the United States of America. Additionally, holders of certain national residence permits from Andorra, Canada, Japan, the United States of America, and San Marino are also exempt.

If you are a UK resident, a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit or UK visa is sufficient to be exempt from the transit visa requirement. It is important to note that this exemption does not include BRP-share codes or electronic residence permits. British citizens do not require a visa to transit through Germany.

The German Missions in the United Kingdom only accept visa applications from UK residents. If you are not a UK resident, you must apply through the German Mission in your country of residence or its Visa Application Centres. The application process typically takes up to 15 calendar days, and you can apply up to six months before your trip.

To apply for a transit visa, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Two passport photographs
• Valid passport with at least one blank page and at least three months of validity beyond the date of your transit
• Copy of your passport's data page
• Confirmed airline ticket to the final destination and one copy
• Declaration of Accuracy of Information
• Copy of the valid visa/residence permit for your final destination, if applicable
• Proof of residence, such as a driver's license or utility bill
• Employment or student verification letter, if applicable
• Additional documents for minors, such as a birth certificate and school certificate

If you have a UK Biometric Residence Permit Card, you don't need a transit visa

If you're travelling via Frankfurt Airport and you have a UK Biometric Residence Permit Card, you don't need to apply for a German transit visa. This is because UK residents holding a valid UK Biometric Residence Permit Card do not need a transit visa to pass through German airports. This has been the case since 28 June 2024 and applies only to holders of valid UK Biometric Residence Permit Cards.

It's important to note that this exemption does not include BRP-share codes or electronic residence permits. A valid UK visa also does not exempt you from visa requirements for transit through Germany. So, if you are a UK resident but do not have a UK Biometric Residence Permit Card, you will need to apply for a transit visa.

Frankfurt Airport is one of five airports in Germany with an international transit area. This means that if you have a UK Biometric Residence Permit Card and are transiting through Frankfurt Airport, you can remain within the international transit area without needing a transit visa. However, if you need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover, for example, to change terminals, you may require a visa. In this case, it's important to plan ahead and apply for a visa well before you travel.

It's also worth noting that if your final destination is within the Schengen member states, or if you need to pick up your baggage or check in again, you may need a different type of visa, such as a C-type entry visa. So, if you have a UK Biometric Residence Permit Card and are transiting through Frankfurt Airport, be sure to check the specific requirements for your journey to ensure you have the correct documentation.

If you are a holder of a US, Schengen, or other select country visas, you don't need a transit visa

The "transit privilege" applies to those who do not leave the International Airport Area and whose destination is not in a Schengen country. In this case, you do not need a transit visa to pass through a German airport. Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) is one of the airports in Germany that has an international transit area, allowing travellers to transit without formally entering the Schengen area.

However, it is important to note that if you need to enter the Schengen area during your stopover, such as to change terminals or if your destination is in a Schengen country, you may require a visa. Therefore, it is recommended to plan accordingly and apply for a visa well in advance if necessary.

In addition to US and Schengen visas, there are other select country visas that exempt holders from the German transit visa requirement. This includes valid visas from EEA countries (the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), as well as visas issued by Japan, Canada, Australia, Israel, New Zealand, and Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, among others. Please note that some exemptions may have specific requirements, such as a maximum transit time of 12 hours or holding a specific type of passport.

It is always recommended to check the latest official information and requirements before travelling to ensure you have the correct documentation and visas, if needed.

Frequently asked questions