Is transit visa required for parents for return flight from Boston to India?

[theGCwait]

Hi,
My parents came to Boston, USA on a tourist visa in October on Luftansa (with stop over in Frankfurt). At that time their was no requirement for a transit visa and so they did not get one.
Now they are returning back to India from Boston next week, on Lufthansa. Do they need a transit visa from the German consulate?
(PS: They have a valid tourist visa with them.)

If they do, could you please give me the URL/website where we could download the forms and get information?

Thanks.

[Murali]

Based on the information we have so far that in case the airport transit visa required it will be given instantly at the airport without any cose to the travlers so do not worrry.
Also call Lufthansa and verify, just for your peace of mind.

[theGCwait]

I had called them last week (the German Consulate), They said that my parents dont need it, but today when I called them to reconfirm, they said they need it. When I said that last week it was the opposite, the lady redirected me to an officer, who was'nt at his desk, and so I left a message. I have also sent an email...still waiting for the reply.

Both times I asked Lufthansa they said that my parents do need a transit visa, but it would be better to call the German consulate for more accurate info. Dont know if they just answered 'casually' or they actually know the facts...

In the German consulate website their is an exemption, according to which my parents should NOT need the transit visa. See exemption #4 clause c)

http://www.germany-info.org/relaunch/info/consular_services/visa/countrylist.html?PHPSESSID=b061b0357213683664a4260 6978cc28b#except4

But I am confused with different replies everywhere. The Germ Cons. person, last week admitted that this transit visa issue had be changed 4-5 times in the past month!! What should I do??? Go by the website (carry the print of the page) or ....Kindly advice...

[lakshmisan]

Hi

I got a reply via email from German consulate in Boston yesterday regarding transit Visa.
"From 1st January 2005 all Indian nationals have to apply for an Airport Transit Visa except greencard holders (10 years validity) when they are flying via Germany to India or to the United States of America.This Airport Transit Visa can also obtained at any German airport while in Transit."

Hope this helps.

[theGCwait]

so do i need to go to the German Consulate in Boston? How much do they charge?

[raghuvennam]

Rule changed again go to the following link.
http://www.germany-info.org/relaunch/info/consular_services/visa/countrylist.html

[hibhagya]

I followed your link and saw there are exceptions for indian citizen who hold valid USA visa.
I was happy on seeing your link.now again i am confused seeing other people replies.
some were stating that they got a mail from german consulate stating that "from 1 jan 2005 one will need transit visa"
do you have any recent experiences??does any one travelled in past few days.I guess they are the one ,who will give accurate information.


Thanks
Bhagya

[raghuvennam]

Yes, from 1st jan 2005, you need airport transit visa. Lufthansa expresed its conserns, so german government has kept this on hold. Now you need not have airport transit visa if you have valid US visa. The transit visa will be issued when you land at the german airport, with out any charge.

My wife and in-law left to india on March 4th. So according to the first rule, i have taken airport transit visa for them. Then i came to know that the rule is change, so i called consulate and asked them. They said yes, now you need not have airport transit visa.
And when i went to drop them, other passengers (indians visiter visa) are not having trnsit visa.

The link i provided before, will be updated when ever there are changes. Just take the print out of the page in case.

[hibhagya]

I guess your experience will definetely clears lot of people confusion here in this board.
Besides,if they are giving transit visa at airport,do they need to carry any docs for getting transit visa???

Thanks again.

Bhagya

[saras]

I dont think they need anymore than a valid return ticket -boarding pass and the visitor visa.
Safer side,make copies of visa page for them if you want.

[hibhagya]

thanks for the info.

[theGCwait]

Pls read the following Sticky thread:
http://forum.path2usa.com/forum/showthread.php?p=14145#post14145