Lois Larson
An airport transit visa is a document that allows a traveller to pass through a country on their way to a third destination. This is usually required when a traveller has a layover in another country en route to their final destination. The visa requirements vary depending on the country and the traveller's nationality. For instance, citizens of certain countries require an airport transit visa when flying via Germany or France. In the United States, foreign citizens travelling through the country to get to another country typically need a transit visa (C). However, US citizens transiting through China may be eligible for a 24-hour Transit Visa Exemption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries requiring airport transit visa | Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Türkiye, Ukraine, the Republic of the Congo |
| Countries exempt from airport transit visa | Member states of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, the United States, Japan, Monaco, the Principality of Andorra, San Marino, countries or public bodies from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius), Australia, Israel, New Zealand |
| Documents required for airport transit visa application | Visa application form, two recent passport-sized photos, valid passport, proof of ongoing travel, visa or travel document valid for the main destination, proof of visa fee payment, Schengen visa insurance |
| Additional documents required for transit visa | Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page, application fee payment receipt, photo, evidence of onward travel arrangements, permission to enter another country after departing, proof of employment and/or family ties, evidence of ability to pay all costs while in the country |
| Transit visa exemptions | Citizens of countries that are party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (except China), aircraft crew members, sea crew members holding a seafarer's identity document, dual citizens with a passport from a country eligible for transit privilege |
| Transit privilege | Travellers who need a Schengen visa can benefit from the transit privilege if they do not leave the international airport area and their final destination is outside the Schengen area |
| Transit visa validity | 24 hours |
| Transit visa fee | €90 for adults, €45 for children (6-12 years old) |
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What You'll Learn
Transit Visa Exemptions
The requirements for transit visas vary depending on the country of transit. Here are some general exemptions where a transit visa may not be required:
- United States: Foreign citizens with a brief layover in the US on their way to another country may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, crew members travelling to the US to join a ship or aircraft may require a crewmember D visa, usually issued as a combination C-1/D or C-4/D-3 visa. Diplomatic passport holders and crew members of private yachts sailing in US waters for less than 29 days are also exempt.
- France: If you are travelling from an airport outside the Schengen Area and staying in the international zone of a French airport, you do not need a transit visa as long as your final destination is also outside the Schengen Area. However, if you wish to leave the international zone and enter France, you must hold a valid short-stay visa.
- Germany: Most travellers do not need a visa to transit in Germany as long as they do not leave the International Airport Area, known as the "transit privilege". However, citizens of certain countries are exempt from this privilege and will need a transit visa even if they do not leave the transit area. The German transit visa allows a maximum stay of 24 hours in the airport's international transit area.
It is important to note that these exemptions may not apply in all cases, and specific conditions or passport requirements may need to be met. Always check with the relevant embassy or consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding transit visa requirements.
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Transit Visa Requirements
A transit visa is a document that allows a traveller to pass through a country to another destination, without staying in the country. The requirements and rules for transit visas vary depending on the country. Some countries have agreements in place that allow travellers to transit without a visa. For example, Germany has the "transit privilege" which allows travellers to transit through a German airport without a visa, as long as they do not leave the International Airport Area. Similarly, the Visa Waiver Program in the United States allows citizens of participating countries to transit without a visa.
However, some countries require certain nationalities to obtain a transit visa, even if they are just passing through the airport. For example, France requires travellers from certain countries to have an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to pass through the international zone of a French airport during a layover or flight transfer. Germany also requires citizens of certain countries to have a transit visa, even if they do not leave the airport's transit area.
To apply for a transit visa, you may need to provide the following documents:
- A completed visa application form
- A valid passport with blank pages and validity beyond your intended return date
- Proof of ongoing travel, such as flight tickets with confirmed dates
- Proof of visa fee payment
- Visa or travel document valid for the main destination
- Travel insurance
- Proof of your ability to pay all costs while in the country, such as employment verification or evidence that another person will cover your costs
It is important to note that the requirements for a transit visa may vary depending on the country, so it is always best to check with the consulate or embassy of the country you are travelling through.
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Transit Visa Applications
Transit visas are required when a traveller's itinerary includes a layover in another country en route to their final destination. Typically, the traveller will not leave the airport but will still need permission to be there during the layover. The rules for transit visas vary from country to country, and some countries have specific requirements.
For example, in the United States, foreign citizens travelling through the US to get to another country usually need a transit visa. However, US citizens may need a transit visa for connecting flights in Russia and China, depending on the length of stay and the airport in China. Russia has its own list of countries that do not require a transit visa. US citizens and permanent residents can transit through Canada without a visa, but they need to bring the correct travel documents.
In Germany, most travellers do not need a visa to transit as long as they do not leave the International Airport Area. This is known as the "transit privilege". However, citizens of around 20 countries need a transit visa, even if they do not leave the transit area. The German transit visa allows travellers to stay in the airport's international transit area for up to 24 hours, and it is prohibited to leave the area with this visa. The standard fee for a German airport transit visa is €90, and it takes a minimum of two weeks to process.
For France, travellers from certain countries need an "A" airport transit visa (ATV) if they are staying in the international zone of an airport in metropolitan France while waiting for a connection to a destination outside the Schengen Area. Travellers who need to transit through two airports or stay overnight need a short-stay Schengen visa.
The Schengen Area has specific requirements for transit visas. An Airport Transit Schengen Visa (Type A) allows travellers from non-Schengen countries to transit through the international zone of a Schengen Area airport without entering the Schengen Area. This visa is mandatory for travellers from select countries, even if they remain in the airport. If transiting through more than one Schengen airport or changing airports within the same country, a regular Schengen Visa (C Type) is required.
To apply for a transit visa, travellers may need to provide:
- A completed visa application form
- Passport-sized photos
- A valid passport with blank pages and validity beyond the intended return date
- Proof of ongoing travel, such as flight tickets
- Visa or travel documents for the main destination
- Proof of visa fee payment
- Insurance
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Transit Visa Fees
The cost of a transit visa varies depending on the country. For example, a Direct Airside Transit Visa for the UK costs £39, whereas a Visitor in Transit Visa costs £70. The UAE issues two types of transit visas: one for 48 hours and another for 96 hours. These are sponsored by UAE-based airlines and must be processed and approved before entering the UAE.
In the case of the United States, there is no mention of a specific fee for a transit visa. However, there are various visa categories, such as the crewmember D-3 visa and the diplomatic transit (C-2) visa, which may be required depending on the purpose of entry and the traveller's nationality. It is important to note that some countries, such as the United States, may require proof of ability to pay all costs while in the country.
For France, an "A" Airport Transit Visa (ATV) is required for certain passport holders, but there is no specific fee mentioned. A multiple ATV authorises several transits through one or more Schengen countries, but it does not permit entry into the Schengen Area. If you need to enter the French territory, you must obtain a valid short-stay Schengen visa.
Switzerland, on the other hand, stipulates that the airport transit visa fee is payable in the currency determined by the Swiss representation. The fee is due when the application is submitted and is non-refundable, even if the application is withdrawn or rejected. The Swiss representation may adapt the fee amount based on exchange rate fluctuations. Payment methods include online via credit card, money order, or at the visa counter using Mastercard, Visa, or cash.
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Transit Visa Duration
The duration of a transit visa depends on the country one is transiting through. Here is a list of the durations of transit visas for some countries:
Germany
The German transit visa allows travellers to stay in the airport's international transit area for up to 24 hours. Travellers are prohibited from leaving the international transit area. The standard fee for this visa is €90, and it takes at least two weeks to process. Applications can be submitted no more than six months before departure.
France
The Airport Transit Schengen Visa (ATV) for France is valid for 24 hours and only allows transit within the international zone of the designated airport. If travellers need to stay longer or leave the transit area, they will need a regular short-stay Schengen visa.
Russia
The duration of the transit visa for Russia depends on the traveller's country of origin and the airport in Russia they are landing in. US citizens transiting through Russia may be eligible for a 24-hour Transit Visa Exemption or a 72-hour Transit Visa Exemption if they are entering the country through specific cities.
China
Similar to Russia, the transit visa requirements for China depend on the duration of stay, the country of origin, and the airport in China. US citizens transiting through China may be eligible for a 24-hour Transit Visa Exemption that allows them to leave the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
An airport transit visa (ATV) is a document that allows travellers to pass through a country without entering—usually by remaining in the international zone of an airport during a layover or flight transfer.
The need for an airport transit visa depends on your nationality and travel itinerary. Check with the consulate or embassy of the country you'll be transiting through.
The requirements for an airport transit visa vary depending on the country you're travelling through. Generally, you'll need a valid passport, proof of ongoing travel, and proof of visa fee payment. Some countries may also require photographs and proof of insurance.
The processing time for an airport transit visa can vary, but it is generally recommended to apply at least two weeks before your travel date.
