Urgent- German transit visa - travel on AP

V

vidongre

Registered Users (C)
This is pretty urgent!

I am travelling to India on Friday 05/23 by Lufthansa. I'll be re-entering US using AP. I do not have a valid H1B visa and I am an Indian citizen with Indian passport. I do NOT plan to get out of the airport (or even leave the gate - if not required). Do I need a transit visa for Germany???

I am sorry - I know this question has been answered a million times - but this is really urgent! Please please help!!!
 
I called German consulate

Thans meowmeow. I called the german consulate.

According to them I need to get a transit visa if i do not have a valid US visa - I am not sure if they understand the concept of 'Advance Parole'.

Can anyone please share their experience???

Thanks a bunch!
 
Re: I called German consulate

yup, you do need one, although they weren't very particular in checking for any documents in my case. When I called the New York consulate, the person told me that I don't need one. But then the response to my e-mail enquiry to Chennai consulate mentioned that I do need a transit visa. So then I called the German embassy in DC and was advised to get a transit visa. I think it's just $11, and takes about 15 mins to get one.

Originally posted by vidongre
Thans meowmeow. I called the german consulate.

According to them I need to get a transit visa if i do not have a valid US visa - I am not sure if they understand the concept of 'Advance Parole'.

Can anyone please share their experience???

Thanks a bunch!
Click to expand...
 
YES , you need a transit VISA, My advice dont travel on AP the recent news and problems with people traveling on AP are not encouraging.

Take car, best of luck.
 
Not required

No transit visa required for legal American immigrants, this includes the Adjustment of Status processing as well. But you need to carry your 485 receipts as a proof of legal status.

I travelled India in February 2003 on Advance Parole by United Airlines via Frankfurt. It was a smooth journey for me. But I faced little trouble while getting boading pass at Washington Dulles Airport itself. At ticket counter, she refused to issue boarding pass to me since Visa stamp in the passport has already expired. Then I showed her the 485 receipt notices, she is unsure of whether these counts towards a legal status. She approached her boss and informed her that 485 receipts are also a good proof for legal status. There after there is no problem for me...

Carry your 485 receipts for all the passengers, Advance Parole with you. You will not face any problem
 
Thanks to all for your responss

Today in the morning I went to the German consulate in Chicago and applied for a transit visa - just to be safe. The lady there heard my story and reiterated that I do need to have a transit visa (it's $11.00 - with copies of the confirmed tickets, passport, AP, EAD, 2 passport size photos and the visa application form)

Also, due to some additional security check, they can not stamp the passport instantly. They'll take atleast 24 hours. As my flight is tomorrow afternoon, she asked me to come tomorrow morning to collect the passport. According to her, there is 80% chance that I would get the transit visa approved - many times their security check system does not work and 24 hrs is not enough :rolleyes:

Well, so after another tension filled day, I am hoping that I would get the transit visa tomorrow - otherwise I am just going to try my luck with AP, EAD, I-485 receipts and all the other accessories.

I shall keep you guys posted! Thanks a lot for all your help!!!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well, listen Germany will Require transit VISA, I always wanted to travel through Germany to get Millage on United. But thy way they deal with Visa and and complex issues to us immigrants , i said i will never ever go through germany or even fly lufthanza. You will find at the embassy how rude they are !!!.
But again another advice , make sure if you have used your AP before (even expired) to keep it with you , they will ask you if you ever had an AP before and if you do have one you must show it to them. The AP in the INS law it says clearly upon entry to us you may get into sever consequences. the "sever consequences" many lawyers had problem and asked many time to have a deffinition to that. Well the final thing the laywers agreed on is that the IIO at port of entry has the full right to deny your entry even if you have an AP. resident must "MUST" take all immigration paperwork, payment stub , letter from employer approvong vacation just as a back up.

Wish you good luck man.
 
I'm flying Lufthansa to use United miles

We have 200K miles with United - thanks to the consulting firm that let me go last year! Just want to use the miles before United closes the shop... (though I don't want them to do so!) For now, Lufthansa was the only option through them!

Keeping the old AP is a good idea! Noted!!! Thanks MSHAKER.
 
Originally posted by MSHAKER
...... Well the final thing the laywers agreed on is that the IIO at port of entry has the full right to deny your entry even if you have an AP. ...
Click to expand...


It is clearly stated on your AP that having a valid AP does NOT guarantee entrance to the U.S., especially if you are subject to 3- and 10-year bar.
This is also mentioned on the BCIS web site.
 
I traveled in April'03 without a visa....

I had inquired from the German Consulate in NY and the lady who answered , told clearly that if I have a AP there is not need for transit visa. On her statement , I travled and didnot have even an iota of a problem....It was very smooth. No questions asked any where......Hope this helps.........
 
Just an addition....

Looks like the problem is all with United, if you travel Lufthansa direct ( Not as an operator of United) and check in thru a Lufthansa counter as opposed to United counter , I am sure you will not have a problem.......
 
Update

Today my husband went to the German consulate in Chicago at 9:00 am to collect our passports. When he went, the 'system was down' and they could not stamp the passport... (just what we were was afraid of!). They asked him to wait - after waiting for 2 hours, the system was back on track and we got our passports with transit visa. What a relief!!!!!!!

Again, thank you all for your advice.
 
Hi Guys!

I am planning to visit india soon. I have 3 AP papers. But I have not received my 485 Receipt notice as it was lost in the mail. When my attorney contacted the service center they gave the LIN and said they can't send another receipt(duplicate). What should I do? Any idea?

Thanks.
 
Got Transit visa

Hi,

I got German Airport Transit visa for me and my family today. It was issued the same day at New York. If you are travelling from the USA and intend to return on AP, you do need an Airport transit visa.

* It costs $12 for each person (payable in cash)
* The forms are available on the website
* You need confirmed tickets, passport, AP, 2 photos. You need copies.
* you need to state the date of departure (l + date of landing in Germany) and return date (again date in Germany).

They gave us visas for 2 stops in the airport with validity between my starting date and end date.

Hope this helps.

Happyperson
 
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