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Transit Visas for Colombian Nationals

Hello,

This is my first post here - I need some advice about visas for Colombian nationals and I'm not sure where to look, so hopefully someone here can help me.

My friend is Colombian, he lived in the UK for quite a few years before returning about a year and half ago. He has been given a 6 month, multiple entry visa to the UK so that he can come back for a short trip and visit myself and my family and I am trying to help him find a ticket. Previously, when he travelled between the UK and Colombia, there were no problems at all but he is now finding that most stopovers will require him to have a transit visa.

Does anyone know is there are any Colombia-UK routes which will allow him to travel only with the UK visa, or will he require a transit visa for any stopover? Also, if he does require a transit visa for the US or Spain, etc., how long does that take to get? We had to wait over a month for his UK visa interview and then a while longer for his application to be processed -- does a transit visa application take as long?

Thank you very much for any help that you can give me :)

By Ayla on Aug 24, 2008, 07:34 in Visa & paperwork.

viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 24, 2008, 07:57:

No transit visa is required to travel to the UK via France (provided you have a valid UK visa) or Spain (if you do not have to change terminals) and provided you do not leave the airport's international transit area. A visa is required for transit via the USA. Of course double check with the airline since they are the ones who will allow you boarding or not.

Check this http://www.ambafrance-co.org/spip.php?article901 and this: http://www.maec.es/subwebs/Consulados/Bogota/es/MenuPpal/Trmites de visados/Preguntas frecuentes/Paginas/preguntasfrecuentes_bogota.aspx

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Ayla says on Aug 24, 2008, 08:59:

Thank you so much, that's really helpful.
Unfortunately I can't get the second link to work, can you possibly tell me what is says?

Thanks again!!

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 24, 2008, 09:35:

http://www.maec.es/subwebs/Consulados/Bogota/es/home/Paginas/Home_Bogo...
then go to Tramite de Visados and Preguntas Frecuentes

FAQ:
"Viajo a un país que no pertenece al convenio Schengen, pero hago escala en Madrid, ¿necesito visado?

Para realizar un tránsito aeroportuario o conexión internacional no es necesario disponer de visado. No obstante, debe consultar con la aerolínea si en el aeropuerto de Madrid va a cambiar de terminal internacional al realizar la conexión, en cuyo caso sí tendría que solicitar visado."

No transit visa is needed for Spain if coming from and going to a non-Schengen country (i.e: Colombia and the UK), unless you need to change terminals. Then you would need a visa.

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cedritos says on Aug 27, 2008, 05:06:

There is no transit visa for Spain. The Spanish themselves seem to have little idea of the rules. If, like my Colombian friend, you don't have to change terminals in Barajas (easyjet and air comet both fly from and into terminal 1) you may still encounter problems.

see

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/madness-in-madrid-transit-in-bar...

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 27, 2008, 05:29:

To avoid problems make sure the luggage can be checked from Bogota all the way to London. Change airlines only if they have an agreement to handle each others' luggages, that means to avoid the hassle do not use easyjet or ryanair to get to/from Madrid, or any separate ticket for that matter.

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cedritos says on Aug 27, 2008, 05:44:

By the way, my friend did get his bags through Easyjet (after numerous phone calls) on the day before he flew back to Colombia!

I agree with viajero123 on the agreement between airlines for luggage. Until Avianca fly direct to London (I have it on good authority that it will happen next year-it should already be running but fuel costs have made them rethink) the best bet for Colombians visiting the UK is with Air France. I imagine Iberia to Barajas then BA to the UK would be ok but only if you get both legs on one ticket.

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