Do Indians need an airport transit visa or a regular Schengen visa for traveling via Germany? The answer to this question depends on your itinerary – whether it has one or more airport layovers in Germany – and the type of US visa you hold. Not fulfilling this additional visa requirement for your travel on Lufthansa flights between India and USA can result in denial of boarding. So, let’s understand what type of Schengen visa you need for transiting through Germany airports – Frankfurt, Munich, or both.
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Airport Transit Visa for US-India Itineraries with One Schengen Layover in Germany
A Schengen Airport Transit visa (type-A) is the permit you need for transiting through an airport in Germany to your non-Schengen destination. For example, if your Lufthansa flight connects you to your final destination in India/USA either at Munich Airport or Frankfurt Airport, then you need an airport transit visa for this itinerary. It allows you to spend your connection time (up to 24 hours) in the international transit zone within the airport. You cannot leave the airport during the layover.
What documents are required to apply for an airport transit visa for Germany?
You need the following documents to submit your transit visa application at a German visa application center, embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The German transit visa fee is 80 Euros (nearly 85 USD).
- German Transit Visa Application form
- Signed Declaration of Accuracy of Information
- Passport (issued within last 10 years and with at least 3 months validity from your travel date)
- A photocopy of your passport’s biometric and address page
- Confirmed flight ticket to USA/India
- 2 latest passport photographs
Additional documents may be required for further verification in individual cases.
How long does it take to get a German transit visa?
The standard processing time for German transit visa applications is 15 days. You can submit your application six months in advance but no later than 15 days before the scheduled date of your travel.
I have a US visa/green card. Do I need Germany’s transit visa for layover in Frankfurt or Munich?
Indian nationals holding a valid US visa or Green Card are exempt from the transit visa requirement as long as their US-India itinerary has one Schengen layover.
Schengen Visa for US-India Itineraries with Two or More Schengen Layovers
If your US-India itinerary has a layover at both Munich and Frankfurt Airport, then you are required to possess a regular Schengen visa (not a transit visa). A transit visa only permits you to catch a connecting flight to a non-Schengen country, whereas you must have a Schengen visa for connecting to a second Schengen airport on your way to a non-Schengen country.
You would also need a Schengen visa for your travel on connecting flights to India operated by Lufthansa and its codeshare partner, SWISS Airlines, which also operates out of Schengen airports in Zurich and Geneva. Simply put, a Schengen visa (type-C) is mandatory for transiting through more than one airport in the Schengen area. Read more about a regular Schengen visa required for international transit by Indians.
Do Indians holding green cards need a Schengen visa for Lufthansa flights via two Schengen airports?
Yes. Neither a valid US visa nor permanent residency status exempts you from the Schengen visa rules. A Schengen visa is one of the most important travel documents required for hassle-free travel on Lufthansa flights via two Schengen airports in Germany.
if we have b1 or b2 type US visa do we need Airport Transit Visa for layover in munich for 1.30 hrs for connecting flight
Hi Roni! Having a valid US Visa, you don’t need an airport transit visa if there is only one Schengen (Munich) layover in your itinerary.
Indianeagle – then could you explain what this article of ‘Indianeagle’ above means in that case?
“A Schengen Airport Transit visa (type-A) is the permit you need for transiting through an airport in Germany to your non-Schengen destination. For example, if your Lufthansa flight connects you to your final destination in India/USA either at Munich Airport or Frankfurt Airport, then you need an airport transit visa for this itinerary. It allows you to spend your connection time (up to 24 hours) in the international transit zone within the airport. You cannot leave the airport during the layover.”
I am confused now.
I am traveling to USA from BLR on B1-visa on Luftansa via Zurich stop – do i need a transit visa?
Hi Kumar! The quoted passage is generic information. Please note that Indian nationals holding a valid US visa or Green Card are exempt from the transit visa requirement as long as their US-India itinerary has one Schengen layover. If there is only one Schengen layover in your itinerary, you may not need an airport transit visa. However, it is recommended that you contact the airline or the Swiss Embassy for more accurate information.
Switzerland does not need an airport transit visa if there is only Zurich as a layover for Indians travelling to any destination. Your next airport must not be a Schengen Airport on the way to the USA or Canada. Only 4 Schengen countries regularly connecting India to the USA via Europe do not need Airport Transit Visa for Single Airport Schengen Layover. Switzerland, Netherlands, Finland and Poland. France needs but exempts if you have USA and Canada Visa. Condition is your next flight has to be within 24 hrs and you cannot leave the international area. Germany has similar rules but Lufthansa does not follow it if they are overbooked. They deny boarding tothose holding non refundable tickets so they pocket the entire fare.
Very true, because I have travelled to India in the past from USA multiple times with expired US visa via Munich/Frankfurt and I was allowed by Lufthansa and had no problems in Munich and Frankfurt however my friend was not allowed by Lufthansa at Raleigh airport.
My Indian passport expires on March 11th and I am travelling to India from Canada on March 7th, with a 4 hours layover in Frankfurt. I’ve valid US visa and Canada visa. Will i be allowed to board the flight to Frankfurt in Canada?
Hi Samarth! As per the Indian passport rules for NRIs, your expired Indian passport won’t let you travel to India directly or via any other country. The likelihood of boarding denial to you at Ottawa Airport or Frankfurt Airport is high. Hence, it is recommended you get your passport renewed at the nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate in Canada.
Good morning – question is we are 4 ppl traveling from Chennai to Detroit in Lufthansa and one layover in Frankfurt for 3hrs.
1 – h1 visa stamped and valid to enter USA
2. H4 visa stamped and valid to enter USA
3. B1 visa stamped and valid to enter USA
4 . USA citizen
Do we need a transit visa ?
Hi Sanjay! Having valid US visas and US citizenship, you may not need a transit visa for a short layover in Frankfurt if you stay in the transit area during the layover.
By “valid US visa”, do you mean “any” of the possible US visas? The term valid US visa is vague. Could you please clarify.
Thanks
Hi Akanksha! A valid US visa could be an H1B visa, H4 visa, B1/B2 visa, US student visa, and US visa in other categories like O, M, and J.
Hello, My mom who has a valid visitor visa to the USA will be travelling to USA from Hyderabad with a short layover in Frankfurt airport. Will she need a Transit visa?
Hi Sirisha! In our opinion, she does not need. However, it is recommended that you contact the airline for more accurate information.
Hi,
Please let us know if there you faced any challenges in your travel
Hi
Myself and my daughter are travelling from Dallas to Chennai, transit at Frankfurt with 1.5 hrs layover time.
Myself – have valid H4 visa extended but not yet stamped in my passport.
Daughter- USA citizen
In this case do I need transit visa or I can show extended petition to travel via Frankfurt?
Also what is the procedure to acquire German airport transit visa if required?
Appreciate your help here
HI Vivek! You need a transit visa.
Hi
Can you help me. I booked a Lufthansa flight to Chennai, transiting at Frankfurt. but my H1B is expired, and I have a valid I-797 approval notice. I have only two weeks until my flight. Do we need to get a transit visa. I cannot cancel my flight now.
Hi
Even we are in the same situation. We booked a Lufthansa flight to Hyderabad, transiting at Frankfurt and layover 4 hours. but my H1B is expired, and I have a valid I-797 approval notice. I have only two weeks until my flight. After reading all the messages we thought to take the transit visa, but we are not getting the dates to take the transit visa. we have only two weeks. Please help.
Hi Sree,
I am in a similar situation, can I know what did you do?
Does US citizens need Schengen or transit visa for change of flights in Munich and Frankfurt on the way to India ? I believe US citizens are permitted to visit Germany (all states) without travel visa. Please confirm.
USA-> MUN-> FRKFRT->. Hyderabad
Im an Indian passport holder with a Canadian visit visa and work permit. I’m travelling from Canada to Dubai with a layover of 3 hours in Frankfurt. Do you think I need a transit visa.
Thanks for your help!
Hello,
I have a valid I797, and stamped on my passport till sep 2024.
I am travelling in March 29 through Luftansa and laypver is 3:30 hrs in FankFunt airport .
Do i need transit visa?
Thanks
Sesh
Hi, I am travelling from India to UK via Frankfurt on Lufthansa. I hold an active B1/B2 visa for US. Will I need a transit visa at Frankfurt?
Hi Asmita! In our knowledge, you don’t need a transit visa for a short layover at Frankfurt.
My mother and father are travelling from Hyderabad to Houston with a 6 hours layover at Frankfurt. Both of them has valid US B1/B2 visa. Do they need to get transit visa at Frankfurt?
Hi Krishna! Having a valid US visa, they may not need a transit visa. If there is a change of terminal during transit at Frankfurt Airport, and if it requires immigration check, you may need a transit visa. Please check with the airline too.
Hi, I am travelling from India to UK via Munich on Lufthansa. I hold a visitor visa for US. Will I need a transit visa at Munich?
Hi, I have flight from US to India via Munich, my US visa expired, what document can be provided for the application of airport transit visa? Its a layover of 4 hours.
Hi Jeena,
how long it takes to get transit visa.
My US Visa has expired and i am traveling to india to get it stamped. I have a transit from zurich airport. I have a valid Ireland visa , do i still need transit visa as Ireland not being my destination of trip?
Hi I am US Citizen holding US passport and flying from Nashville to Mumbai in Lufthansa flight. I have one stop in Munich in both ways . Do I need transit visa ? They have 1 hr layover and flight number is changing at the Munich airport,
Hi Nick! You don’t need a transit visa for Munich, in our opinion. However, it is recommended you check with the airline and the German embassy.
Hello, I am on a USA Student Visa (F1) until 2027, I am traveling to India via Frankfurt with a layover of 2hrs via Lufthansa, do I need a Transit Visa? I already tried contacting Lufthansa customer care, but those guys are of no help.
Hi, did you face any issues while traveling to India via Frankfurt? could you please give us an update?
Travelling from USA to India via Frankfurt, do I need a Transit Visa? I have a Valid US Visa (expires in 2027), and I am a citizen of India, I am traveling to India, via Frankfurt Airport with a layover of 2 hours (only one Layover)
Hi Saketh! In our opinion, you don’t need a transit visa as you have a valid US visa and there is only one Schengen layover.
Hi
How was u r journey ?
Did they ask u transit visa ?
Hi,
Do we need a Airport transit visa while transiting via Frankfurt(3hrs lay over) , travelling from US to India, ?
1) Green Cards holders and
2) US citizen
Hello,
I am an Indian citizen with an F1 US Visa, My layover is in Munich for around 10 hours! Do I require a Transit Visa? Please give a correct answer based on the past experiences.
Also if anyone already traveled recently through Luftansa from the US to India, Can you please let me know if you faced any issues traveling?
Hoping for a response soon.
Thanks,
Hi , student f1 visa also requires transit visa ?
Hello
I am traveling from Delhi to Austin via two layovers, Munich and Frankfurt. I understand I need a Schengen Visa Type C as there are two layovers. Confirm if my understanding is correct, and how long it takes to process. My flight is on 9th July. Also If your company helps to process it.
Hi Mohit! We’re sorry that we don’t deal in visas.
Hello Indian Eagle
Myself and my daughter are travelling from Nashville to Hyderabad, transit at Frankfurt with 4 hrs layover time.
Myself – have valid H1 visa extended but not yet stamped in my passport.
Daughter- USA citizen
In this case do I need transit visa or I can show extended petition to travel via Frankfurt?
Appreciate your help
Hi I am travelling to India from UK with Lufthansa, I have a layover at Munich airport for 2 hours, I have a valid UK Visa and hold a Indian Passport, will I need Transit Visa for my journey to and fro ?
Hi, I’m on student US visa and travelling from LA to Delhi with one layover at Frankfurt airport of 2 hours. Do I need a transit visa? My flight number is changing after layover, but terminal number is same. I contacted Lufthansa airlines and they are saying they don’t know about visas, have to contact embassy. Please help.
My wife and I are travelling to India from USA through Frankfurt (Lufthansa Airlines). We have expired US visa which we plan to renew while we are in India. We have a valid Canadian visitor visa with us. Do we need to get a transit visa?
Hi Venkat! In our knowledge, you may not need a transit visa for Frankfurt while holding a valid Canadian visitor visa.
I an travelling from Austin to Hyd via Toronto and Frankfurt with valid H-1B visa extension for my stamping. Do I need a transit ?
Hello, I am going to travel from Atl to Hyd via Frankfurt on August 3rd. I have valid H-1B visa stamp on my passport which expires August 19th, since expiry is post travel do i need transit visa or am i good to travel? I also have my extension approved and valid 797
Hi Sam! In our opinion, you can travel via Frankfurt with your existing H1B visa. However, it is recommended that you can contact the airline for more accurate information.
Hello, I’m travelling from US to Dubai, has a layover at Frankfurt. I’m currently holding a US Visa and does i need to have Schengen visa too during transit.
I am an Indian passport holder with a valid UK visitor visa. I’m planning to fly to the UK via Munich by Lufthansa (3hrs layover). I have a valid multiple entry Schengen C type visa issued by Belgium with the remarks ‘BNL2 TRANSIT’ and a valid USA C1D visa. Do I need a transit visa to fly via Munich ?
Hi,
I am travelling from New Delhi to Malaga (Spain) via Frankfurt with a 2 hour layover.
The return leg from Malaga (Spain) to New Delhi is via Munich with a 15 hour layover.
I have a B1/B2 US Visa (unused).
Do I require Transit Visa for any of the legs of the journey?
Thanks in advance.