# Transit Visas **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 8, 2002, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865 "2002-11-08T11:03:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![G.Cornelius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@G.Cornelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.Cornelius)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2002, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865/1 "2002-11-08T11:03:13Z")
A traveller is flying from county A to country B, but has to change airplane in country C. The traveller would normally require a visa to visit country C. Does this person require a visa for country C when: (a) The traveller does not change airplane: the plane lands and takes off again without the traveller getting off. (b) The traveller changes to another airplane in the same airport. © The traveller changes to an airplane at a different airport. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2002, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865/2 "2002-11-08T11:13:19Z")
Depends on the laws of country C, and the passport which the traveller holds. In general most countries would prefer to encourage the use of their airports as international hubs, so they would try to make transit as easy as possible for as many travellers as possible. Either they do not require a visa at all, or they will readily and cheaply issue a transit visa, which can often be acquired at the point of landing, and need not be got in advance. But not all countries would take that view, and some that do would still have special concerns about passport-holders from certain countries. If this is a real-life question, there’s no alternative but to check. ---
**Author:** ![Hemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Hemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hemlock)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2002, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865/3 "2002-11-08T11:17:06Z")
There is no “normally” where visas are concerned. Last time I got a transit visa, it allowed me 2 or 3 days in the country concerned. (a) should not require a transit visa. (b) shouldn’t, assumng you don’t go through passport control (ie remain airside at the airport). © Yes. It would help if you gave a specific travel plans. How many countries want a visa these days if you have a rich, western country’s passport and are travelling to another civilized place? Hardly any. ---
**Author:** ![G.Cornelius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@G.Cornelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.Cornelius)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2002, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865/4 "2002-11-08T11:44:22Z")
Although I am interested in the general question, I do have a specific instance in mind. I know a national of Guyana who has to stop en-route in the USA to change planes - without changing airport. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2002, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865/5 "2002-11-08T12:24:13Z")
Your friens should be OK as long as he doesn’t have to lay over for more than eight hours and doesn’t leave the airport. But to be on the safe side, here’s the address of the US embassy in Guyana Embassy of the United States of America 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana Tel: 592-2-54900 thru 9 Fax: 592-2-58497 They should give you the straightdope ---
**Author:** ![Hemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Hemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hemlock)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2002, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865/6 "2002-11-08T12:28:00Z")
If you’re changing flights in (say) Florida, LAX, JFK en route to (say) the UK, Canada, or whatever, my hunch is you will need one if you’re from a country where you need a visa to go to the US. This is US law but enforced by airlines at the point of departure (eg Georgetown). Not a big deal - but you have have to show a visa/ticket to the final destination, etc at the US embassy. Definitely check with the airline… ---
**Author:** ![emulsified](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emulsified/32/2915_2.png) [@emulsified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emulsified)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2002, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transit-visas/135865/7 "2002-11-08T15:38:23Z")
From [question #5](http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rs1/wwwhcnqa.html) on the US Embassies web site… > [@](#): > > Q: I am travelling through the US, do I need a transit visa? > > A: Under U.S. law, you do not need to get a transit visa if you travel through the United States on the same aircraft. In this case, you will be restricted to a transit hall at the American airports. However, if you change flights in the United States, you will need a transit visa. To get a transit visa you will have to apply for it at the American Embassy. According to the information that we have on file, several airlines require transit visas from all of their passengers who intend to transit the United States. You may contact the airlines agents for more information. So it looks like your friend might need a transit visa to change planes.