Indians can’t fly EU carriers to UK without transit Schengen visa

Indians travelling to the UK on European Union (EU) carriers like Lufthansa, Air France and KLM (which transit through their hubs at Frankfurt/Munich, Paris and Amsterdam, respectively) must now carry a transit/regular Schengen visa. The bloc introduced the requirement from January 1, 2021 -- about an year after Britain's exit from the EU. The new rule came into force at a time when India had an air bubble system for international connectivity (there were only direct flights from India to the UK, or there was a stopover in a Gulf country). With regular international flights now resuming, many Indian travellers to the UK who have booked a flight on a EU carrier are being caught off guard. Here's what you need to know about the new travel rule: * There are various Schengen visa types available depending on your reason for travelling from India to Europe. * The most common type is a short-term Schengen visa that allows its holder to travel freely throughout the Schengen area, which covers 26 EU countries or "Schengen States" without border controls between them. * Indians travelling to the UK via a stopover in an EU country will need a transit visa as Britain is no longer part of the EU. * An application for a Schengen visa can be submitted to the embassy or consulate of the Schengen member state of first entry. Transit visa * A Type-A Schengen visa allows citizens of non-Schengen states to transit through or wait for their connecting flight in the international zone of an airport located in a Schengen country. * It is compulsory for those travelling from a non-Schengen country to another non-Schengen country and who have to connect flights in the airport of a Schengen country. The holder of a Type-A visa is not allowed to enter the said Schengen country. What you need * The earliest that one can apply for a Schengen visa in India is three months before the planned trip, and minimum 15 working days before travel to Europe. * You will need a visa application form, two recently taken photos, a valid Indian passport, evidence of legal residence in India, travel insurance, a cover letter stating the purpose of the visit, reservation details of flights from India to Europe and back, proof of lodging for the entire duration of the intended stay, proof of civil status and documents to prove the sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay. Exemption/other options * Switzerland and its airlines are exempt from the new transit rule as the country is not part of the EU. * Indians traveling to the UK via the Middle East or Switzerland do not need a Schengen airport transit visa. * Indians on nonstop flights to the UK (Air India, Vistara, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic) do not need the visa.