Traveling via Frankfurt on Expired H1B VISA Stamping

[abhitidke]

I am an indian citizen and have planned to travel India in Feb 2015 and returning in March 2015. The H1B visa stamped in my passport is expired in June 2014 but I have valid I-797.

 

My travel is from SFO to Mumbai via Frankfurt with the transit time of 4 Hr. As I'm going to travel with expired US visa, do I require transit visa to travel via Frankfurt?

[jairichi]

You need a transit visa.

[adityang]

I am in same boat. German consulate says "2. If they return from the USA after having used the visa" (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Transit__Visa.html). Earlier it had a statement that return should be latest by 4 days of visa expiry but that clause has been removed. I am going in Jan (already booked :(, without knowing) so i will have to cross my finger. My visa would have been expired by 3.5 months then. Don't understand why these people need to make all things so complicated...

[shrib7]

hey....so here is My case : .this is my travel details on 30th jan SFO --> Frankfurt, Germany  2 hrs wait time in FRA then connecting flight

Frankfurt, Germany --> Mumbai , My US H1B visa expired on may 2014, i have valid i-797.till may 2015 ..My h1b visa was issued in India,

I called San Francisco's German consulate (415-775-1061) VISA dept, that lady told me that if your h1b VISA is issued in india (home country)  even though its expired you can still go back to your home country  however while coming back to USA make sure you have valid US visa stamp, .......i am just trying to help you guys, so would recommend to contact that country's consulate by phone in case of question, and dont believe on roomers

Cheers!!

[jairichi]

Well, good luck.

First the airline itself might not issue a boarding pass if they find that about the situation. Since you have nothing in writing and German consulate website (posted in a response above) says without a valid US visa a transit visa is required to fly via Frankfurt they will trust a website rather than your words. And, it is not a rumor it is what is mentioned in their official website.

[mohan007]

hey....so here is My case : .this is my travel details on 30th jan SFO --> Frankfurt, Germany  2 hrs wait time in FRA then connecting flight

Frankfurt, Germany --> Mumbai , My US H1B visa expired on may 2014, i have valid i-797.till may 2015 ..My h1b visa was issued in India,

I called San Francisco's German consulate (415-775-1061) VISA dept, that lady told me that if your h1b VISA is issued in india (home country)  even though its expired you can still go back to your home country  however while coming back to USA make sure you have valid US visa stamp, .......i am just trying to help you guys, so would recommend to contact that country's consulate by phone in case of question, and dont believe on roomers

Cheers!!

 

hey.. did you travel to india? Did you fave any problems or situations where you have explain about your visa(or anything) to anybody? Can you please share your experience.

I have travel plans to bangalore via frankfurt in next month. I am in same situation, and what to know your experience.

Thank you!!

[payal9987]

I am in same boat. German consulate says "2. If they return from the USA after having used the visa" (http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/05__Legal/02__Directory__Services/01__Visa/__Transit__Visa.html). Earlier it had a statement that return should be latest by 4 days of visa expiry but that clause has been removed. I am going in Jan (already booked :(, without knowing) so i will have to cross my finger. My visa would have been expired by 3.5 months then. Don't understand why these people need to make all things so complicated...

 

 

Hey adityang,

I have my flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt to Delhi on May 29 (tomorrow). My h1b is expired. I would really appreciate a response about whether you tranvelled through Frankfurt (from USA) and needed any transit visa.