Just returned after a three week vacation in India. We were lucky enough to get our APs approved (and in our hand) 2 days before we were scheduled to leave. We did not get a transit visa to travel through Frankfurt. Highlights of the travel:
1.) Lufthansa ticket agent checked our passports when leaving Houston and asked if we had a valid visa (all the visas in our passports have long expired). We showed him the APs and that satisfied him.
2.) Same story when returning from Chennai - the agent reviewed the AP and made some notes.
3.) When getting off the plane at Frankfurt, they made us take a bus to the main terminal, to make the connection (both ways). On the way back to Houston, before exiting the plane, an agent again checked the passport and I had to pull out the AP document again.
4.) Passport control (with AP) again at the gate at Frankfurt.
5.) I filled out the white I94 card and left out the "where visa issued" field blank. Filled in the AP issue date for the field asking for the visa issue date.
6.) Stood in the visitors line at Houston. The BCIS officer was quite knowledgeable about traveling with AP. Stamped the passport and the APs and returned one copy of the AP. Stamping says that Parole expiry date is one year from the date of entry. No fingerprinting or photos.
In short, for travel through Frankfurt with AP, transit visa is not required. Although you have to show your documents at every turn, everyone involved appear to be knowledgeable.
1.) Lufthansa ticket agent checked our passports when leaving Houston and asked if we had a valid visa (all the visas in our passports have long expired). We showed him the APs and that satisfied him.
2.) Same story when returning from Chennai - the agent reviewed the AP and made some notes.
3.) When getting off the plane at Frankfurt, they made us take a bus to the main terminal, to make the connection (both ways). On the way back to Houston, before exiting the plane, an agent again checked the passport and I had to pull out the AP document again.
4.) Passport control (with AP) again at the gate at Frankfurt.
5.) I filled out the white I94 card and left out the "where visa issued" field blank. Filled in the AP issue date for the field asking for the visa issue date.
6.) Stood in the visitors line at Houston. The BCIS officer was quite knowledgeable about traveling with AP. Stamped the passport and the APs and returned one copy of the AP. Stamping says that Parole expiry date is one year from the date of entry. No fingerprinting or photos.
In short, for travel through Frankfurt with AP, transit visa is not required. Although you have to show your documents at every turn, everyone involved appear to be knowledgeable.