Transit Visas Explained: What They Are, When Indians Need Them, And How To Apply

For Indian travellers planning international journeys, understanding transit visas is an essential part of being prepared. Many long-haul routes require changing planes in another country, and whether a transit visa is required can depend on factors that are often overlooked when booking tickets. These include the transit country's rules for Indian passport holders, the length and nature of the layover, and whether the traveller needs to clear immigration along the way. Transit visa requirements are not always obvious. A short stop does not automatically mean visa-free transit, and staying inside the airport may still require prior permission in some countries.

Knowing how these rules work in advance helps travellers choose the right routes, apply for visas on time, and avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.

What Is A Transit Visa?

A transit visa is a short-term visa that allows a traveller to pass through a country while travelling onward to another destination. It does not allow tourism, business activity, or extended stays. Its sole purpose is to let you complete your journey legally.

For Indian passport holders, some countries require a transit visa even if the traveller never leaves the airport terminal. Others allow visa-free transit, but only when very specific conditions are met.

The Two Main Types Of Transit Visas

1. Airport transit visa (airside transit)

Airport transit visa is needed for a specific purpose. Photo Credit: Unsplash

An airport transit visa applies when a traveller remains entirely within the international transit area and does not clear immigration. The journey involves changing planes but not officially entering the country.

In Europe, these rules are often framed under the Schengen Area, although requirements still vary by country and nationality. For Indian travellers, this means that transit rules can differ even between neighbouring European airports.

This type of transit visa is typically used when:

• The layover is short and same-day
• The baggage is checked through
• No immigration clearance is required

2. Transit visa with entry (landside transit)

A transit visa with entry is required when a traveller must pass through immigration during transit. This usually happens when the itinerary involves an overnight stop, an airport change, or baggage collection.

Despite the name, this visa does not allow sightseeing or tourism. It only permits limited entry for the purpose of continuing the journey.

This type of transit visa is typically used for:

• Overnight layovers
• Changing airports within the same city
• Rechecking baggage on separate tickets

Also Read: 2026 Visa Hacks Every Indian Traveller Must Know For Europe, UAE, Japan & Beyond

When Do Indian Travellers Need A Transit Visa?

There is no universal rule. Whether an Indian traveller needs a transit visa depends on a combination of factors, including the transit country's policies, the nature of the layover, and the visas the traveller already holds.

In practice, what matters most is what the traveller is required to do during transit, not just how long the stop is. Indian travellers are more likely to need a transit visa in the following situations:

• The layover is overnight and requires leaving the airport
• Airports or terminals need to be changed
• Tickets are booked separately
• Baggage must be collected and rechecked
• The transit country mandates visas even for short airside connections

This is also where many travellers get caught out. Airlines rely on international immigration databases, and if those systems indicate a visa is required, boarding will be denied if you are not prepared.

Transit Visa Exceptions For Indian Travellers

Germany has a transit visa exception for Indians. Photo Credit: Unsplash

There are also important exemptions that Indian travellers can benefit from, provided all conditions are met. In some cases, airside transit is allowed without a visa. Those holding a valid US, UK, Canadian, or Schengen visa can be exempted from transit requirements sometimes. Moreover, certain countries have relaxed transit rules for Indians. However, these exemptions are precise. If even one condition is not met (such as the wrong visa category or an overnight layover), the exemption no longer applies. We shall explain this later with specific examples.

How To Check Transit Visa Rules Before Booking

The safest time to verify transit visa requirements is before purchasing flight tickets. This allows travellers to adjust routes if necessary. A proper check should include official embassy or consulate websites of the transit country, airline visa-check tools and checking rules for every transit point (not just the destination).

How And When To Apply For A Transit Visa

When to apply

Transit visa applications should ideally be submitted four to eight weeks before travel. While processing times are usually shorter than tourist visas, delays are common during peak travel seasons. Applying late significantly increases the risk of missing travel dates.

Where to apply

Transit visas are always issued by the country where the transit occurs, not the final destination. Depending on the country, applications may be submitted through an embassy or consulate, an authorised visa application centre or an official online portal.

Documents typically required

While requirements vary by country, most transit visa applications ask for:

1. Valid passport
2. Confirmed onward flight tickets
3. Proof of entry permission for the final destination
4. Completed application forms and photographs

Some countries may also request insurance or proof of funds.

Also Read: VFS Global Visa Application Centres Relocate In Delhi And Mumbai. New Addresses Inside

Transit Visa Vs Tourist Visa: What's The Difference?

Transit Visa Rules: Explained With Examples

These three routes highlight how official transit rules differ by country, and why some systems offer exemptions for Indian travellers while others remain strict.

Example 1: Delhi - Frankfurt - Toronto

This is a common long-haul route for Indian travellers flying to Canada. Under Germany's official rules, Indian passport holders are now allowed visa-free airport (airside) transit if they are travelling onward to a third country, hold a valid visa for that destination, and remain within the international transit area.

That is why an Indian traveller passing through Frankfurt with a valid Canadian visa, a confirmed onward ticket, and a same-day connection can usually transit without a German airport transit visa. Germany treats such travellers as passengers who are not seeking entry into Schengen territory.

However, this exemption applies only to airside transit. If the itinerary requires leaving the airport, clearing immigration, or staying overnight, Germany's rules change, and a Schengen short-stay visa becomes mandatory.

Example 2: Delhi - Singapore - Sydney

Singapore follows a different approach. Under its official Visa-Free Transit Facility (VFTF), Indian passport holders may be allowed to enter Singapore and stay for up to 96 hours without a visa, provided they meet specific conditions. Eligible passengers can leave the airport and stay in the city if they hold a valid visa or long-term residence permit from countries such as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, or certain others, along with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. For eligible Indian travellers transiting through Singapore, this means the transit is not limited to staying inside the airport.

There are important limits. The 96-hour visa-free transit facility cannot be used for both legs of the same journey; it can apply either on the onward or return transit, but not consecutively.

In practice, this means an Indian passport holder transiting through Singapore may qualify for visa-free transit if they hold a valid Australian visa, have confirmed onward travel, and comply with all transit conditions. Singapore's system is designed to facilitate smooth connections for travellers who have already been vetted by certain countries. If even one condition is not met, the exemption does not apply, and a transit visa must be obtained in advance.

Example 3: Delhi - London - New York

The UK operates under a much stricter framework. Its official policy requires many nationalities, including Indian passport holders, to hold a Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) unless they fall under specific exemptions.

As a result, an Indian traveller transiting via London without a valid US, UK, or Canadian visa will generally need a DATV, even if the layover is short and the airport is not exited. The UK does not offer the same broad airside exemptions as Germany, nor the conditional transit facilities seen in Singapore. Because UK airlines strictly enforce these rules at departure, travellers without the required transit visa are denied boarding in India.

Common Transit Visa Mistakes To Avoid

Many transit issues arise because travellers:

1. Assume short layovers never require visas
2. Overlook baggage recheck and terminal change rules
3. Book separate tickets without checking transit implications
4. Confuse transit exemptions with permission to enter a country

Most problems surface before departure, not at the transit airport.

Key Takeaway

Transit visas are not about distance or duration. They are about where and how you stop along the way. For Indian passport holders, rules vary widely and can change without much notice.

The safest approach is to check transit requirements for every journey, apply early when needed, and never assume that staying inside an airport automatically means visa-free travel.