Is transit visa necessary for flight connection in Moscow (changing from Sheremetyevo I to II)?
 

I have a question for a friend. Her daughter is flying from London to Delhi on Aeroflot. She has to connect in Moscow, arriving at Sheremetyevo I and departing from Sheremetyevo II.

She will be in India for two months, and then reverse the trip, again laying over in Moscow and switching from Sheremetyevo II to I.

The question is: Does she need a transit visa because she is going from I to II? And can the return trip be on the same visa, or does she need to get two?

My friend is very upset about this situation (the trip is less than 2 weeks) and is getting conflicting info from the airlines and the airports that she is talking with. Her daughter is currently studying in Oxford, and this involves her going into London for the arrangements.

Any info you could provide will be very welcome!

My understanding is that anyone transiting in Moscow, even within the same terminal, must have a transit visa.

Why don't you check the Russian Embassy website and/or call them ?

Thanks. My friend is attempting to get the official word; in the meanwhile I thought maybe someone here has faced a similar situation.

Are you sure that a change of terminals is required at SVO?

If you transit within the same terminal, you do not need a transit visa (transit being under 24 hours).

If you need to change terminals, you do need a transit visa and you will need two visas, one for the outward journey and one for the return.

The airlines and airports are not good sources of information for visas.

Check http://www.rusemblon.org

Thanks, Odin. My friend was also checking with the Russian embassy. And, yes, her tickets reflect that she arrives in I and departs from II. Looks like visa time for them.

I'm surprised that flights from London would arrive at T1 as this used to be the domestic terminal. Perhaps it's changed or she is not coming directly from London.

I agree with Odin, and I think that your friend is misreading the ticket. Call Aeroflot in London to verify this.

Aeroflot flights from London arrive in SVO II (I have been on this route as recently as February, and was to have gone on Saturday). Aeroflot flights to/from India are also at SVO II--the terminal is often packed with people waiting transiting to/from the India routes (as Aeroflot previously was 1/2 other airlines' fares to/from India).

In the case of transiting less than 24 hours and not changing terminals, most people don't need a visa--check with your local Russian consulate for verification. If she did need a transit visa, two would be required (one for each trip).

If you want you can email me an image of the ticket, but it would be best to call Aeroflot directly to verify the terminal.

hi this time I'm in similar situation... going to Germany from India and have to change from terminal F to D.. do it will need transit visa?????.. time difference between flights are 2 to 3 hours.............