
Country / Territory
Related contacts

Senior Manager - Consular Practice
Related offices
- Abu Dhabi
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Bogotá
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Buenos Aires
- Caracas
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIC)
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Dublin
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Panama City
- Paris
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh Immigration Technology Innovation Lab
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- Santiago
- São Paulo
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
Related contacts

Senior Manager - Consular Practice
Related offices
- Abu Dhabi
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Bogotá
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Buenos Aires
- Caracas
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIC)
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Dublin
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Panama City
- Paris
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh Immigration Technology Innovation Lab
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- Santiago
- São Paulo
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
Related contacts

Senior Manager - Consular Practice
Related offices
- Abu Dhabi
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Bogotá
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Buenos Aires
- Caracas
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIC)
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Dublin
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Panama City
- Paris
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh Immigration Technology Innovation Lab
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- Santiago
- São Paulo
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
By: Nikhil Bande
Travellers often find themselves in situations which may require a transit visa to change flights from the same or nearby airport within the transiting location. Travellers may choose different airports within the transiting location or opt for delayed flight connections, which may compel them to obtain a transit visa or appropriate visitor visa for the transiting location. Such transit visas may allow them as short as four hours to a few days to pass through the transiting location and board flights to the final destination.
Will you need a transit visa?
Transiting locations may also impose transit visa requirement on travellers holding a certain visa type for a destination country. The nationality of the traveller may also come into consideration when determining the transit visa requirement. Hence, it is vital to know if you need a transit visa for the transiting location based on your situation. If the transiting applicant intends to cross the immigration checkpoint for a few hours by getting a visa on arrival at the transit location, then transit visa may not be a requirement in such situations.
Transit visa may be secured in advance if it is a mandatory requirement at the transiting location or can be applied at the transiting airport border control post.
For transiting smoothly, I would suggest that the traveller must be able to demonstrate that:
- The traveller possesses enough funds and has a clear intention to transit to their final destination;
- The traveller has relevant travel authorization to be present at the destination for the duration of their visit; and
- The only purpose of landing at the transiting airport is to transit and not to cross the border.
Certain countries can facilitate transit visas that can be used via transiting through an airport or they may issue a short stay visa. For instance, certain Schengen states can issue a short stay visa to travellers who intend to go from one non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country by crossing through the territory of any Schengen member country. The visa may be valid for one or several crossings within a defined maximum duration.
Transit visa regulations are often changing, and travellers are advised to check with the relevant immigration offices or airlines to remain informed of the situation. Sometimes, minor changes to policy go unnoticed, especially for the landside transit, and may put the traveller in a tricky situation to figure out onward journey within the stipulated rules of transit, which may be coupled with expensive ticket rearrangements and loss of time.
For further advice on transit visa regulations, please contact Nikhil Bande at [email protected].
Country / Territory
Related contacts

Senior Manager - Consular Practice
Related offices
- Abu Dhabi
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Bogotá
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Buenos Aires
- Caracas
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIC)
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Dublin
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Panama City
- Paris
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh Immigration Technology Innovation Lab
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- Santiago
- São Paulo
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
Related contacts

Senior Manager - Consular Practice
Related offices
- Abu Dhabi
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Bogotá
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Buenos Aires
- Caracas
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIC)
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Dublin
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Panama City
- Paris
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh Immigration Technology Innovation Lab
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- Santiago
- São Paulo
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
Related contacts

Senior Manager - Consular Practice
Related offices
- Abu Dhabi
- Atlanta, GA
- Auckland
- Beijing
- Bengaluru
- Bogotá
- Boston, MA
- Brisbane
- Brussels (Benelux)
- Buenos Aires
- Caracas
- Chicago, IL
- Dallas, TX
- Doha
- Dubai (DIC)
- Dubai (DIFC)
- Dublin
- Frankfurt
- Hong Kong
- Houston, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Johannesburg
- Kochi
- Kuala Lumpur
- London
- Los Angeles, CA
- Matawan, NJ
- Melbourne
- Mexico City
- Nairobi
- New York, NY
- Panama City
- Paris
- Perth
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh Immigration Technology Innovation Lab
- Rio de Janeiro
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose
- Santiago
- São Paulo
- Silicon Valley, CA
- Singapore
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
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Partner David Crawford discusses how Canada’s new Liberal government could bring more predictable immigration policies focused on labour needs.

Awards
Partner Cosmina Morariu of Fragomen in Canada received the Ecosystem Builder Award as part of the inaugural Semiconductor Achievement Awards, hosted by Canada’s Semiconductor Council.

Blog post
Partner Azeem Mohiuddin discusses how Qatar is implementing a strategic vision to develop a workforce that is prepared for future challenges and opportunities, highlighting the role of skilled migration in addressing gaps in the local workforce.

Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss the SEVIS reversal and the continued challenges US international students may face.

Video
Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat discusses Thailand’s Digital Nomad Visa—officially known as the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)—and how you can apply for it.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains that children of H-1B visa holders must secure a new legal status or leave the US when their H-4 dependent visas expire at age 21.

Media mentions
Partner Kevin Miner discusses unusual biometrics requests in H-1B and I-140 cases, noting they depart from standard practice.

Blog post
Regional Immigration Manager David Makau provides essential information about the launch of Bahrain's new Golden Visa portal, highlighting key details for applicants.

Video
Partner Diana Quintas shares everything you need to know about Brazil’s Digital Nomad Visa – a great option for remote workers looking to live and work in Brazil.

Media mentions
Partner Haseena Enu discussed her role in a pilot program mentoring Afghan legal professionals as they rebuild their careers in the US.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explained that SEVIS terminations are creating uncertainty for international students in the US and their employers.

Media mentions
Partner Amy Cococcia discusses the impact of tightened US immigration policies on work visa processing.