US green card holder: Do I need a transit visa when my journey includes a flight within a Schengen country?
I am an Iranian citizen and US permanent resident. I'm traveling home over the new year break and I booked my flights with Alitalia like this:
JFK -> ROME -> TEHRAN
TEHRAN -> ROME -> MILAN -> JFK
All the connections are from the same terminals. I know that green card holders are exempt from transit visa in Italy. However, someone pointed out to me that since I have two connections in Italy on the way back, they might be considered domestic flights and I might need to get a transit visa (although I don't change terminals).
So do I really need the transit visa?
EDIT: thank you all for your help. I contacted the airline and they couldn't help. The consulate in my area is closed today and but I'll ask them what kind of visa (transit or Schengen) I need and I'll update once I have more info.
EDIT2: so I ended up changing my flight due to other reasons, but I went to the Italian consulate and they gave me a Schengen visa valid for 3 days that would have covered my connection in Italy.
Best Answer
Yes, you really need a full Schengen visa. This page from the French foreign ministry explains it well:
You may need to leave the International Zone :
- because you need to change airports ;
- or for any other reason. In all these cases, you enter the Schengen Area, and, unless you are exempt from short-stay visa requirements, you must apply in advance for an entry and stay visa in order to transit through France.
The same rules apply to Italy, which is also in Schengen. See also: Is a Schengen visa/transit visa required for a transit flight through two Schengen airports?
Pictures about "US green card holder: Do I need a transit visa when my journey includes a flight within a Schengen country?"
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).Do you need Schengen visa for transit?
If you are traveling through an airport in the Schengen area, even if you are not leaving the terminal, you may need to obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa. The requirements stipulating your entry into a Schengen Airport as a third-country national are determined by your resident status and citizenship.Can I transit through a country without visa?
Travellers may sometimes require transit visas in order to pass through a country that is not their destination country. Transit visas are typically required if you have a layover in a country of more than a few hours.Can I take a connecting flight through USA without visa?
ESTA is required in all cases of entering the U.S.Travelers must apply for and receive ESTA even when transiting in the U.S. to a third country without a visa. You must apply for ESTA in any of the following cases: transit, transfer, or stopover (layover).Do I Need A Transit Visa If My Plane Has A Stop In The US?
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