Do I need a visa for a self-transfer flight?

This is one of the questions we get asked the most. Whether you need a visa or not for your self-transfer flight depends on the immigration laws in the country. It also depends on your passport.  In this article, we will answer this question in detail, as well as provide some tips on how to make sure that your travels go smoothly. Read on to learn more!

1. Do You Need a Visa for Self-Transfer Flights?

You are planning a self-transfer flight.

Thousands of people have self-transferred every day. That’s especially true in the EU and when traveling with low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet. Aren’t sure if you have a self-transfer? Here’s how you can check it.

Do you need a visa for self-transfer flights?

You might. It depends on the country you are traveling to, the country you’ll have a stopover or layover in, and your passport.

Here’s how you should be thinking of it.

1.1 Self Transfer Means Separate Flights

You have two or more separate flights.

These flights are treated as separate flights. They aren’t connecting flights. You have to check in separately. You have to follow different baggage rules. Here you can learn more about self-transfer flights baggage rules. You have to go through immigration at every airport you’ll be traveling through.

1.2 Self Transfer Means You Have to Re-Check Baggage Yourself

Because you have separate flights, you recheck the baggage after every flight.

You do this, not your airline. That means your baggage isn’t transferred between flights automatically. Unlike how it happens with baggage on connecting flights. If your baggage gets delayed or lost, it makes things even harder.

For this, you have to go through immigration.

1.3 You Have to Go Through Immigration

Yes, also at the airports on your way (even if you aren’t leaving them).

Unless you are having a self-transfer flight without luggage. In this case, there is a slight possibility that you may be able to avoid that. But it’s better to do proper research on this (how it works in the airport you’ll be transitting at). And you should also be prepared for possible hickups on the way.

1.4 Will You Need a Visa for Self-Transfer?

Yes, if any of the countries on your way require it.

Because after each flight, you need to go through passport control. You may need a visa for this, as you are entering the country (even if you don’t plan to leave the airport). So make sure you check this – when you book a self-transfer flight, be sure to double-check visa requirements for any countries that your journey may take you through.

While it’s easy to get advice from Facebook groups, online communities and ChatGPT, the best way is always to refer to reliable official sources of information before making travel decisions.

In case of self-transfer flights, you can’t stay in the transit area.

2. US, UK, EU, Australian Nationals (How Strong Is Your Passport?)

If you are a US, UK, EU, or Australian national, the chances are you won’t need a visa even if you are transferring through a country on a self-transfer flight. Because US, UK, EU, and Australian (and some other) passports are very strong, and allow nationals of these countries to visit many countries without a visa — just a free stamp issued at the airport with no advance paperwork required.

However, even if you come from these countries, you can’t just assume that you can get everywhere without a visa. There are always countries with strict entry requirements. Plus, there are other things you should take into account. 

Do you need a visa for self-transfer flights? To find this out, check official sources such as the country’s official government sites.

3. Do You Need a Visa for a “Regular” Connecting Flight?

Do you need a visa for connecting flights?

In most cases, no. You don’t need a visa for an airline-protected connecting flight. If you have booked a connecting flight under one booking reference number, most probably, you won’t need a visa for this flight. 

However, there are exceptions, for example, the US.

Does a self transfer flight need visa? It might. It depends on the country you are traveling to, and your passport. But do you need a visa for a connecting flight? A proper connecting flight? Mostly, no.

4. Self Transfer Flights: Baggage, Check-in, and Immigration

Are you planning to book a self-transfer flight?

There are some other things you should consider.

4.1 Collecting and Rechecking Luggage

If you are traveling with a checked bag, you will need to collect it and recheck it after every flight leg of your journey.

When flying self-transfer, you are responsible for getting your luggage from one plane to the next. To guarantee all of your items make it to each destination safely, don’t forget to pick up any checked bags at the first stop and then take them straightaway over to the check-in desk for your following flight.

Keep in mind that in order to do that, you will need to go through immigration (passport control).

If you don’t have checked luggage, you will still need to visit the check-in counter to complete the check-in process for your upcoming flight, unless you have already checked in online and have a boarding pass. In such a scenario, you can directly proceed to your boarding gate.

If you have a self-transfer, we recommend traveling with a carry-on only.

Read more: Self-Transfer Flight Baggage Rules

Tip: Travel with a carry-on only! Traveling with a carry on only can be a great way to save time, money and stress. By bringing only a small, lightweight bag that fits in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, you can avoid long check-in queues, extra airline fees for checked bags, and the hassle of trying to locate your luggage at the baggage claim.

4.2 Check In for the Next Flight

Do you need to check in for your next flight leg if you have a self-transfer?

If you haven’t checked in online, you will need to visit the check-in counter to complete the check-in process for your upcoming flight. Even if you are traveling without checked baggage. Don’t forget that this may come at a fee (this is why most people get their boarding passes online).

Tip: Always check in online. It will save you time. Especially if you are traveling with a carry-on only.

4.3 Immigration for Self-Transfer Flights

Do you always need to go through immigration if you have a self-transfer?

Yes. Even if you do not need a visa for your self-transfer flight, you will always need to go through passport control. 

You see, self-transfer flights are DIY connecting flights made by passengers, not by airlines. Hence, they are not protected by the airlines. And what’s more important, if you have a self-transfer flight, most likely, you won’t be allowed to stay in the transit area of the airport. Why? Because most likely, your plane will land in a part of the airport where you will have to go through passport control in order to get anywhere else.

That means you’ll have to “enter the country”.

Even if you don’t have a checked bag, and have checked in online. 

Don’t forget that this takes time.

4.4 Don’t Book a Flight with a Short Layover

Don’t risk short layovers with self-transfer flights!

Taking a self-transfer flight with a short layover may be tempting, yet it can come with numerous risks. With only limited time to get from one plane to the next, even minor delays in your first flight could mean trouble – such as missing connections and incurring additional costs. Therefore, it is important to understand these potential drawbacks before you make this decision.

Moreover, airlines are not responsible for missed connections in self-transfer arrangements. Say your first flight gets delayed or canceled; then it is up to you to bear the cost of booking a new ticket on the second leg of your trip — and this can be costly as you are booking the flight last-minute. 

The same applies if you need accommodations, as all associated costs become your responsibility.

Therefore, it is generally recommended to book self-transfer flights with a longer layover to allow for any delays. This duration varies based on the airport, airline, and destination you’re going to; however, typically an ideal layover would be for at least 4 hours so as to give yourself ample time for transferring and successfully catching your next flight.

Tip: Do not book a self transfer with only a 2 hour-long layover. Mostly it is too short. 4 or 5 hours is OK. 45-minute layovers are okay, though still risky, only with airline-protected connecting flights.

What is your experience with self-transfer flights? Do you book self-transfer flights often? Have you had any problems with self-transfers? Have you ever missed a self-transfer flight? Write in the comments below.

Featured photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels