A transit visa lets you pass through a country on the way to a third destination, sometimes allowing a short stay outside the airport. It is designed for layovers, not for visiting the transit country as the main purpose.
By Krosz Editorial Team · Reviewed by Krosz Visa Operations · Published 2026-09-15 · Updated 2026-09-15
Purpose
Passing through a country en route to a third destination.
Who is it for?
Travellers with a layover in a country that requires a transit visa for their nationality.
Typical application method
Application before travel, often online or at an embassy, with the onward ticket.
Can Krosz help?
Krosz helps you confirm whether you need a transit visa and prepare documents. We are a private service and not a government authority.
Krosz does not publish fabricated processing times, fees, validity or stay durations. Country-specific figures appear only when pulled from Krosz's verified visa database.
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
Overview
A transit visa authorises passage through a country on the way to a third destination. Depending on the country, it may allow a short stay outside the airport or only a stay in the international transit area.
It is designed for layovers — connecting flights, cross-border trains or short stopovers — not for tourism or business in the transit country. The stay is brief and the onward journey must be documented.
It differs from an airport transit visa, which restricts the traveller to the international zone and usually allows no exit from the airport.
Exemptions depend on your nationality, the destination and your circumstances — always confirm for your exact combination.
Activities
Passing through
Travelling through to a third destination.
Short layover
A brief stay, sometimes outside the airport.
Onward journey
Continuing your trip with a confirmed onward ticket.
What you normally cannot do
Documents
Only documents relevant to this category are shown. Exact requirements vary by country — confirm for your destination.
Passport
Valid with sufficient validity and blank pages.
Photograph
Recent photo meeting the destination's rules.
Application form
Completed transit visa application.
Onward ticket
Confirmed onward flight or transport to the third destination.
Destination visa
Valid visa for the final destination where required.
Process
A category-specific application timeline. Steps may differ by destination and your circumstances.
Check if you need one
Confirm whether your nationality and layover require a transit visa.
Book onward travel
Have a confirmed onward ticket to a third destination.
Prepare documents
Gather passport, onward ticket and destination visa if needed.
Apply & pay
Submit the transit visa application online or at the embassy.
Processing
The authority verifies the onward journey.
Decision
Receive a short-validity transit visa.
Krosz tool
Tell us where you want to travel and your passport. We'll route you to the right Krosz visa page.
Destinations
Only destinations where Krosz has verified data for this purpose are shown. We never claim every country offers a visa with the same name.
Krosz does not currently process this visa category for specific destinations.
Contact the relevant embassy or authority for the country you plan to visit, or for guidance.
Comparison
| Point of comparison | Transit Visa | Airport Transit Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | May allow leaving the airport | Restricted to the international zone |
| Stay | Short, sometimes landside | Only airside, no exit |
| Use case | Layover with a brief stopover | Pure airside connection |
| Exemptions | Varies by nationality | Many passports exempt |
Be prepared
General, educational reasons relevant to this category. We never publish invented refusal rates.
Practical
FAQ
Tell us where you're planning to travel and our team can help you understand the application process.
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Krosz is a private visa & travel assistance service — not a government website, agency or embassy. Visas are granted solely by the relevant government authorities.
Krosz is a private visa assistance platform and is not affiliated with any government or embassy. Visa decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Last reviewed: 2026-09-15.
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