What is Transit Visa?

Transit visas refer to a layover in a country while traveling to a destination by air. On several occasions, passengers get a transit visa with a traveler’s itinerary. The travelers do not exit the airport, but they need permission to stay there during the layover period. A layover can be for a few hours, and afterward, travelers get their flight to the country, which is their destination.

People often use the term transit flight or connecting flight to indicate that they are traveling to their destination via another route, and they will stop there briefly. For example, people who travel through the United States to reach another country generally need to have a transit visa. However, if you are a US citizen, you may require a transit visa to connect to China, Russia, and some other countries.

Which Countries Require Passengers to Have a Transit Visa?

Every country has its own visa policies and traveling requirements that depend on various factors, which are as under:

• The country you are traveling to and from.
• Your citizenship.
• Duration of stay.

If the layover period is under 24 hours, and the travelers do not go out of the airport, then they may not require a transit visa. However, some countries require travelers to have a transit visa even if the layover period is less than 24-hour.

The fundamental principle of transit visa indicates that if the country you are passing through does not require the citizens of your country to get a visa for a longer stay, you also don’t need a transit visa. On the other hand, if the country you are passing through requires the citizens of your country to obtain a visa for a longer stay, it might or might not require you to have a visa when you arrive there.

Read More: Australia: Five Major Visa Changes for International Students

Transit Visa Policies

In some cases, you apply for the visa and obtain it before arriving in the country. The Schengen region in Europe has a policy for the countries whose citizens require a transit visa. The US citizens do not require a visa to visit or enter the countries in the Schengen zone. Nevertheless, US citizens require a visa for entering or passing through Russia.

 Similarly, transit visa policies in China vary depending on the length of stay and the location you are flying from. Also, transit visa policy in China depends upon the airport you are landing at. In fact, US citizens require a visa if they want to stay in China. There are some exceptions to the transit visa of China.

The US citizens transiting through China may qualify for a 24-hour transit visa exemption. They may be eligible to pass through China as well as go out of the airport to explore the city. In some cases, US citizens may get a 72-hour transit visa exemption if they are landing in some particular cities. In addition, a 144-hour transit visa exemption is also available, but in that case, you have limited options regarding airports.

Travelers Need to Check Transit Visa Policies

To be on the safe side, it’s better to check with the consulate of the country you are transiting through. Additionally, there is a set of requirements for US citizens traveling to other countries. Travelers should remember that a transit visa is only valid for transition purposes. If they want to stay for a longer period of time, they might need a different visa. In other words, you need a transit visa for staying for a brief staying period.

Your nationality and destination determine whether you need a transit visa. A Transit visa connects you to your final destination. With time, countries may change their transit visa policies. This indicates that the policy, which is in effect today, may not remain the same in the next year.

Read More: Canada Announces Major Visa Changes to Support International Students

Types of Transit Visa

Transit visas may have different types. For example, in France, there are two types of transit visa: Airport transit visa and Short-stay visa. The airport transit visa enables travelers to transit through the international zone of the airport. In this case, they do not have to enter the territory of the country; travelers should remember that this regulation does not apply to everyone.

All the travelers need to contact the embassy of the country from where they are connecting to the other flights. Complete information is necessary because it saves you from any hassle at the last minute. For travelers, who want to stay for a brief period and plan to travel from one non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen destination by transiting through France or any other Schengen country, their visa’s validity maybe for 1 trip or a maximum of up to five days.

Although travelers get details about transit visas regulations, it’s better for them to double-check all the details before making their departures. If you do not abide by the rules, you will have to pay additional charges or penalties depending upon the visa policy and regulations of the country.

Traveling Preferences

Some people have to reach their destinations as soon as possible. Therefore, they might get late due to transit visas. Preferably, they should look out for direct flights (if available) so that they do not have to spend extra time at some other destination.

Suggestion for Transit Visa Holders

At times, you may have to stay for a longer period of time before getting a connecting flight to reach your destination. It’s a good idea to keep a journal or novel with you. For several travelers, waiting-time is a hassle, but reading a good novel or an informative book will be a healthy activity for you.

A Transit visa is a short staying period at an airport in a country before getting the connecting flight to reach the final destination. The staying period can be from one-hour to 24-hour or more. Transit visa policies depend upon different factors such as the destination you are traveling to and from, your citizenship, and the length of your stay. Travelers need to check all the necessary details before boarding. Get complete information from the airline you are traveling through. Also, check with the consulate of the country, you are transiting through.