Do I need a transit visa in Frankfurt, Germany on the way to India? [duplicate]

Do I need a transit visa in Frankfurt, Germany on the way to India? [duplicate] - Metro station with passengers on platform

I am travelling from US to India, with an Indian passport but expired F1 visa and going there to get my H1B visa stamping. I have a stop at Frankfurt, Germany for 4 hours while flying to India. Do I need a transit visa for my trip?



Best Answer

We have many related questions but I couldn't find one addressing this exact situation. Relevant information can be found on Germany.info and Lufthansa.com.

Indian citizens do need a transit visa in Frankfurt unless exempted under some other rule, which includes having a valid US visa (which is apparently not your case) or

If they return from the USA after having used the visa (however, the return has to occur within latest four days after expiration of the validity of the visa)

That's a bit odd given the way US visas work but it's apparently the way it's interpreted in Germany. So depending on the expiration date of your F1 visa, you could be exempted under this rule. Otherwise, you will need an airport transit visa.


EDIT: The clause has now disappeared from the website (see archive.org). In the Schengen visa code, the exemption is for

third-country nationals holding a valid visa for a Member State or for a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area of 2 May 1992, Canada, Japan or the United States of America, or when they return from those countries after having used the visa.

That rule most definitely hasn't changed but the German interpretation might have. I am not sure how it works in practice.




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Does Frankfurt require transit visa for Indian citizens?

Yes, in general Indian citizens need a tranist visa to pass through the international area of airports in Germany, but there is a list of exceptions, one of which is: "Nationals of the above named countries Do NOT require an airport transit visa if: . . .

Do you require transit visa for Frankfurt?

German Transit Airports In these five airports in Germany, you can stay at the International Transit Area without a visa: Frankfurt/Main airport (open 24 hours) Munich Airport (open 24 hours) Hamburg Airport (4:30 a.m. \u2013 11:30 p.m. only)

Do I need a visa when transiting through Germany?

The vast majority of other foreign travellers benefit from what is known as \u201ctransit privileges\u201d. If during transit through a German airport, you do not leave the International Airport Area and if your destination is not within the Schengen area, you do not need a transit visa.

Do you need a transit visa for connecting flights?

A connecting flight follows a route from point A to point B with a stop in point C (in this case, you will need a transit visa).



India to Canada with Layover in Frankfurt, Germany (Without European/Schengen Visa)




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