Why do I need a transit visa?
Traveling to another country is not always possible on a single flight. It happens that due to the geographical features and remote location of the country, you have to stop and transfer to another flight. If there is a visa regime in the stopping state, you will have to issue a transit visa. Without it, you will not be allowed to stay at the airport.
A transit visa is a stamp that gives you the temporary right to cross the border of another country while traveling.
When is a transit stamp required?
You will need to stamp your passport when entering the country. As a rule, you can obtain a permit for temporary stay on the territory of the state at the airport or by filling out a special questionnaire online. In other cases, this will need to be done through the consulate.
If the waiting time for the next flight is less than a day, a transit stamp may not be required. At the same time, you can also walk around the city, simply showing your passport and ticket for the next flight.
When do I need to get a transit stamp?
Canada, Australia and the United States are required to stamp in any case, no matter how long you wait for the transplant.
In cases where you are travelling by train or ship, you will also need to obtain a transit visa when crossing the border. This applies to countries where obtaining a regular visa is mandatory.
When changing the airport or terminal stamp is also required.
If the wait for the flight in the buffer zone exceeds the permissible time, or there is no transit zone at the airport, then it will also be necessary to obtain a transit visa.
This will also apply if you buy tickets for different planes.
Features of obtaining a transit visa in different countries of the world
Countries such as Monaco, the Vatican and San Marino do not require transit.
In China, you can stay for three days, but only if you fly through the airports of Beijing, Shanghai Guangzhou, Chengdu, Dalian, Shenyang, Chongqing.
It is allowed to stay in Tokyo without a transit visa for 4 days. To delay, you will need to provide a ticket and inform about the destination.
In Bulgaria, you can easily get transit if you already have a Schengen visa.
You will not have to apply for a visa in London if the transfer time does not exceed a day. Further, it will also be necessary to obtain a transit stamp or apply for a standard visa if the aircraft is delayed for a longer period.
Transit printing is also not required in the UAE. A feature in this country will be that you can get a visa, which will give you the right to stay in the country for a month. You will also get access to the streets of the city.
What to do if there are several transfers?
In this case, you will need to apply for a visa in the state in which the first landing took place.
It is recommended to specify in advance in which country you need to obtain a transit permit. For this purpose, there is a special database "Timatic", the information in which is constantly updated. You can also consult the embassies of the countries where the transfer is planned.
Types of transit visa
There are several types of transit stamps. In order to understand which one will suit you, you need to clarify the timing of the transit and what kind of travel you will have.
Single entry visa. It lasts up to 10 days. During this time, you can enter and exit the country during the specified period.
Double entry visa. This can be done when you need to visit the same country twice.
Multivise. Issued and issued for a long time. This visa is ideal for frequent travelers who want to stroll through the streets of the country they are staying in.
It is important to remember that you can get a transit visa only if your passport has a visa of the country to which you are going.
Cost of obtaining a transit visa in different countries
When you are going on a trip, do not forget to set aside a separate amount for registration of a transit stamp. As a rule, the cost of transit does not differ from a regular tourist visa. It does not affect the price and duration of the visa.
In the Schengen countries, the cost of registration will be about 35 euros. If you need to get a stamp quickly, you will have to pay twice as much.
In the US, a transit sticker costs $160. In addition, you will have to go through the full procedure of obtaining a regular visa. This includes an interview, a package of documents, and a special form DS-160.
The process of transit in the UK is much easier and cheaper. Here you will have to fill out a special form on the Internet, collect the necessary documents and pay $92.
A 72-hour transit visa is available in Australia. At the same time, the tourist must provide convincing evidence that he does not intend to stay for a longer period. These rules apply in Japan, but only for a day. For a longer visit, a hotel reservation will be required.
Transit visa is a unique opportunity to see another country in the delay between transfers. During your stay in the country you can walk through the streets of the city, visit interesting places and have a good rest.