Transit Visa Information
A transit visa is a temporary visa that allows travellers to pass through a country en route to their final destination. It is generally required when a traveller has a layover or stopover in a country that is not their destination and plans to leave the airport or stay for a short period.
Key Details About Transit Visas
1. What is a Transit Visa?
- A transit visa is a short-duration visa issued to travellers passing through a country.
- It does not permit long-term stays or activities such as tourism or business.
- Typically, valid for a few hours to a maximum of 5-7 days, depending on the country.
2. When Do You Need a Transit Visa?
- If your layover requires you to leave the airport's international transit area.
- When you need to change airports within the transit country.
- If your layover exceeds a specific duration (varies by country).
- For certain nationalities, some countries require a transit visa even if you stay within the airport.
3. Types of Transit Visas
- Air Transit Visa (ATV): For travellers staying in the airport's transit area.
- Seaport Transit Visa: For travellers passing through a country's seaports.
- Land Transit Visa: For travellers crossing through a country by road or train.
4. Eligibility for Transit Visa
- Valid travel documents (passport).
- A confirmed ticket for onward travel to a third country.
- Proof of transit necessity, such as a travel itinerary.
- Valid visa (if required) for the final destination.
5. Documents Required for Transit Visa
- Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended transit period.
- Transit Visa Application Form: Completed and signed.
- PhotographsPassport-sized Photos as per specifications.
- Travel ItineraryConfirmed flight/train/bus tickets.
- Visa for Destination CountryIf required for the final destination.
- Proof of FundsTo cover expenses during transit if needed.
- Hotel Booking (if applicable)Proof of accommodation for overnight stays.
6. Application Process
- Step 1: Determine if you need a transit visa for the country.
- Step 2: Gather required documents based on the country's requirements.
- Step 3: Submit an online or paper application through the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa centre.
- Step 4: Pay the application fee.
- Step 5: Attend an interview or submit biometrics if required.
- Step 6: Wait for processing and receive your transit visa.
7. Processing Time
- Generally, ranges from 1 to 15 business days depending on the country and workload at the embassy or consulate.
8. Cost of Transit Visa
- Costs vary by country, ranging from $10 to $100.
- Some countries waive fees for short layovers.
9. Countries Requiring Transit Visas
- Schengen Area: Air Transit Visa required for certain nationalities.
- USA: Requires a C-1 Visa for travellers passing through.
- UK: Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) is needed for some nationalities.
10. Exceptions and Exemptions
- Visa-Free Transit: Some countries allow visa-free transit for travellers of certain nationalities or under specific conditions (e.g., Singapore's 96-hour Visa-Free Transit).
- Transit Without Visa (TWOV): Available in certain countries for travellers with specific airline tickets and onward travel.
11. Common Reasons for Denial
- Incomplete or incorrect documents.
- Suspicious travel history.
- Lack of proof for onward travel.
- Issues with financial solvency or unclear purpose of travel.
12. Additional Tips
- Always check transit visa requirements well in advance of travel.
- Confirm with your airline if you’ll need to clear immigration during your layover.
- Keep all documents easily accessible during transit.