My wife and I are travelling from Canada to South Africa but we have to trasfer flights (different airline) in Paris on the way over and Frankfurt on the return. Our passports are valid beyond 30 days as per South Africa requirment but not beyond 3 months as required by Paris or Frankfurt. Will we need to go through Immigration at these places if we are only there for two hours? Or do we have to be only concerned with our final destination passport requirement?

Hi C,

I suggest that you call the French and German Consulates nearest to you.

There seems to be an even simpler solution.

Thanks, I guess I should have also mentioned that we are leaving next weekend thus not likely to get a passport renewal prior to leaving.

I should also add that we are changing flights but we will be booked all the way through from or original departure city thus remaining within hte international area of the airport. Anyone with info would be much appreciated.

International airports, from my experience, have transit lounges for passengers just changing flights. They stay on the air side of the terminal, and don't pass through immigration.

If you have to collect your bags and check in with the second airline, then you will most likely go through immigation. In that case I would be more worried about the short two hour layover than anything else. Why not ask the airline?

Hi Canada2009,

We posted at the same time.

If your bags are checked straight through, and you have boarding passes for the second flight, then you will probably just proceed to the departure gate for your second flight. You will still be on air side, and won't go through immigration.

Ask the airline to be sure, but I don't think you have to worry about passports in Paris or Frankfurt.

Thanks, puts my mind as ease, or moreso my wife. I have asked the air line and they said that my bags will be checked through so things should work out. Thanks once again.