Transit Visa at Frankfurt Airport

[sharathpsasi]

I am going to India for stamping of my renewed H1B as my earlier visa stamped expired in May, 2010. I have a layover of maybe 2-4 hrs at the Frankfurt airport. Would I need any visa for my 4hr layover at the airport in Frankfurt? Please advice.
Thanks.
Saw this on german Website but had a doubt on red bold line below: Please advice.
Transit Visa Country List
Nationals of the following countries are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports in Germany:

AFGHANISTAN

BANGLADESH

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

ERITREA

ETHIOPIA

GHANA

INDIA

IRAN

IRAQ

JORDAN ** (please see below)

LEBANON

MYANMAR

NIGERIA

PAKISTAN

SOMALIA

SRI LANKA

SUDAN

SYRIA

TURKEY

Exceptions: Nationals from the above list are entitled to transit through the international transit zones without an airport transit visa:

If they hold a valid visa for the United States of America
If they return from the USA after having used the visa
If they hold one of the following residence permits:
Form I-551 permanent resident card (valid for 2 to 10 years),
Form I-551 Alien registration receipt card (valid for 2 to 10 years),
Form I-551 Alien registration receipt card (no expiry date),
Form I-327 Re-entry document (valid for two years — issued to holders of a I-551),
Resident alien card (valid for 2 or 10 years or no expiry date. This document guarantees the holder’s return only if his stay outside the USA has not exceeded one year),
Permit to re-enter (valid for two years. This document guarantees the holder’s return only if his stay outside the USA has not exceeded two years),
Valid temporary residence stamp in a valid passport (valid for one year from the date of issue).

[shervin143]

http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79909

[txh1b]

On the outbound leg to India, you do not need a Transit Visa provided you do
not leave the International Transit Area and do not change
Terminals.

[sharathpsasi]

Thanks Shervin for the info.

txh1b I think all threads posted as per Shervin's link point to the fact that Belgium might be just the option; as airport transit visa is needed elsewhere in Europe (LHR/Frankfurt). Thanks for all your input.

[txh1b]

Ok fine. Get a transit visa then.

AFAIK, you don't need one. Been there in similar situation multiple times and never got one unless something has changed this year.

Email the german consulate if you want to or read others posts that have emailed the consulate and gotten the same response.

http://immihelp.comhttps://www.immih...ia-usa-travel/

[sharathpsasi]

Hi just got a response from the German consulate saying that I would need an airport transit visa. I guess these guys just keep on changing rules often making it harder for travelers. This is ridiculous I must say!!!
Thanks once again!!!

[txh1b]

Hi just got a response from the German consulate saying that I would need an airport transit visa. I guess these guys just keep on changing rules often making it harder for travelers. This is ridiculous I must say!!!
Thanks once again!!!

Not true. Point them to the website or call them.

Email another consulate in US. I have email from Chicago consulate that says no visa needed but it is couple of years old and I am sure nothing has changed since then as I did travel late last year.

[sharathpsasi]

okay I can do that. SInce its couple of years old things might have changed. I am not sure either.
But I don't think all the time you travel you have an expired visa???? Once you have a valid US visa they don't mind.

[txh1b]

Not really. I have had an expired visa for a long time now. No issues. There is more confusion for AP holders as they say visa is needed on return journey but that is again false.

I had a friend email the Houston consulate in May this year and they said no visa needed as well. Not sure which one you emailed. May be it depends on the time of the day the email in answered

Just google "Germany Transit Visa Needed" and you will hit so many posts from many forums and you can decide based on statistics of yay or nays

[sharathpsasi]

oh Okay. If you had an expired visa for long how did you make it back into US without a valid one late last year????
Any how I emailed the consulate here in Boston and have now emailed the one in Chicago. Will post the reply from them on the same asap!!!
Thanks.

[txh1b]

Did you think there is a tunnel for my entry? Just kidding...AP - Not Andhra Pradesh - Advance Parole

[txh1b]

Here is another great tool from Skyteam...

http://www.skyteam.com/about/travelhelp/travelinfo.html

here are the results for my quesry on the page.


TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Those transiting to a third country
by the same or first connecting flight without leaving the
transit lounge. Warning: Transit only possible at
Cologne/Bonn, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Dusseldorf
Airports and Berlin Tegel (only Air Berlin operated flights),
see conditions below.
- Nationals of India may use the TWOV facility mentioned
above if: - holding a valid visa issued by Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus,
Ireland (Rep. of), Japan, Liechtenstein, Romania, USA (SEE
NOTE 37998) or United Kingdom, traveling to any
non-Schengen Member State; or
- returning from Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland (Rep.
of), Japan, Romania, USA or United Kingdom after having
used the visa.
NOTE 37998: An expired visa for the USA will be accepted,
provided holding an I-797 notice of an extension
applicable to that visa. - Conditions: TWOV available, provided passenger:
- holds all travel documents required for entry into
country of destination; and
- is properly ticketed with a confirmed reservation for the
connecting flight:
- within 24 hours, through Frankfurt or Munich; OR
- on the same day between 04:30 and 23:30 through Hamburg;
OR
- on the same day between 04:30 and 23:00 through
Cologne/Bonn; OR
- on the same day between 06:00 and 21:00 through
Dusseldorf (SEE NOTE 40424);OR

[sharathpsasi]

got it!!!hahaha...thanks lot man!!!keep ya all posted when i hear back from the consulate!!!AGAIN

[sharathpsasi]

dude how did you come up with the posting from skyteam link. what did you input on the web page as I do not see the NOTE 37998 you have mentioned in the post. Please advice.

[txh1b]

Here are my choices. I have spent more time on your transit than what I did when I travelled

Nationality - India
Resident Alient - Select if Applicable
Transit point - Germany
Destination - India
Countries visited in last 6 days - USA
Embarking from - USA
PP type - Normal

Here is the complete text from what is displayed in the new window with these choices.

National India (IN) /Embarkation U.S.A. (US)
Transit Germany (DE) /Destination India (IN)
Visited U.S.A. (US)
ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

Germany (DE)


TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Those transiting to a third country
by the same or first connecting flight without leaving the
transit lounge. Warning: Transit only possible at
Cologne/Bonn, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Dusseldorf
Airports and Berlin Tegel (only Air Berlin operated flights),
see conditions below.
- Nationals of India may use the TWOV facility mentioned
above if:
- holding a valid visa issued by Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus,
Ireland (Rep. of), Japan, Liechtenstein, Romania, USA (SEE
NOTE 37998) or United Kingdom, traveling to any
non-Schengen Member State; or
- returning from Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland (Rep.
of), Japan, Romania, USA or United Kingdom after having
used the visa.
NOTE 37998: An expired visa for the USA will be accepted,
provided holding an I-797 notice of an extension
applicable to that visa.
- Conditions: TWOV available, provided passenger:
- holds all travel documents required for entry into
country of destination; and
- is properly ticketed with a confirmed reservation for the
connecting flight:
- within 24 hours, through Frankfurt or Munich; OR
- on the same day between 04:30 and 23:30 through Hamburg;
OR
- on the same day between 04:30 and 23:00 through
Cologne/Bonn; OR
- on the same day between 06:00 and 21:00 through
Dusseldorf (SEE NOTE 40424);OR
- on the same day between 06:00 and 23:00 through Berlin
Tegel (TXL), provided arriving and departing on a flight
operated by Air Berlin, with a minimum connection time of
75 minutes (SEE NOTE 40425).
*Note:TWOV is not possible when arriving from a
non-Schengen Member State AND departing to a Schengen
Member State TIRULES/R34
NOTE 40424: Inbound carrier must provide prior notice to
authorities by fax: +49 211 421 20521; tel: +49 211 421
63695 or SITA Telex DUSOVXH.
NOTE 40425: Inbound carrier must provide prior notice to
the Handling Agent at TXL by Fax or SITA Telex. Passenger
is not permitted to travel with animals carried in the
cargo hold (AVIH). Passenger and hand baggage will be
subject to a risk security check.
Additional Information:
- Visitors must hold visible means of support, onward/return
tickets or evidence of continuing journey by other means of
transport and/or other documents required for next
destination.
For details, click here
Warning:
- Non-compliance with the entry/transit requirements (incl.
forged documents and unsigned passports) results in:
For details, click here



Germany (DE)

No vaccinations are required to enter Germany from any
country.

India (IN)


Passport required.
- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid
on arrival.
Passport Exemptions:
- Holders of an Emergency Identity Certificate issued to
nationals of India.

VISA NOT REQUIRED.

Additional Information:
- Indians on acquiring or holding another nationality,
For details, click here



India (IN)

YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION NOT REQUIRED.

Recommended:
- Malaria prophylaxis. Malaria risk exists throughout the year
in the whole country below 2000 m. (with 40% to 50% of cases
due to P. falciparum). There is no transmission in parts of
the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim.
Highly chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine-resistant
P. falciparum reported.
Recommended prevention in risk areas: III. In Assam: IV.

CHECK TINEWS/N1 - PORTUGAL REINSTATES SCHENGEN BORDER
CONTROL.



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18 November 2010