Expert: Roberto Gomes - 5/10/2011

Question
We are travelling from South Africa to London on Air France.
We have to go via Paris on our way there and via Amsterdam and Paris on the way home. We are only in transit and the stops are not more than about half an hour.
Do we visas for Holland and France.

Answer
Dear Pam,

First of all since you did not mentioned your passport nationality, I'm assuming that is from South Africa.

To enter the UK you'll need a visa that also be necessary for France if your connection is more than 24 hours which is not the case. On the way back transit without a visa over Amsterdam and Paris is also possible provided that is made within 24 hours.

I don't know what kind of tickets you have, but it will help if the airlines involved have agreements between themselves to allow you to check yourself and your baggage direct to the destination, since you won't be allowed to disembark on the connecting points to make check-in again with the continuing airline.

My best Regards,
R.Gomes