Urgent advice required re Pairs aiport transit vias - HELP

thur says on Jun 15, 2007, 01:47:

Call the embassy? He doesn't need to go to the embassy, a phone call would be enough to ask for information. I don't get what's not clear about the website of Air France or the embassy: "... todos los viajeros colombianos que se encuentren en tránsito en la zona internacional de los aeropuertos franceses (excepto los portadores de visas válidas para los países del ESPACIO ECONOMICO EUROPEO, Canadá, Estados Unidos o Suiza) necesitarán una Visa de Tránsito Aeroportuaria ...", the UK is member of the EEA, so no transit visa is required.
Timatic says the same thing: http://tinyurl.com/2yxz2d
The information is also just a phone call away, however they don't attend consular information on Friday: 638.14.44 (in Bogotá). He could try to use the other telephone numbers and ask anyway. If he _does_ need a visa, then he will have to go to the embassy (no appointment necessary) with the form, the money and the other requirements (not on Friday): http://www.ambafrance-co.org/article.php3?id_article=478 However, it takes a minimum of 15 working days to give the visa, so he would be screwed going one day before his travel date.
Greetings,

~ Sights & Sounds ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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getting better says on Jun 15, 2007, 03:48:

It IS confusing in my opinion Thanks very much for your advice. However it is still confusing in my opinion:
:
"excepto los titulares de visas válidas, título de estadía o residencia para los países del Espacio Economico Europeo, Canadá, Estados Unidos o Suiza)"
this does not make it clear whether tourist visas are OK or not but if you look at the London consulate it says he defintely does need a VTA:

And I do think he can get it the day before the flight, because it also says:
"La respuesta a la solicitud de visa de tránsito aeroportuario se da con 1 día."

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getting better says on Jun 15, 2007, 04:11:

Here are the contradictory/confusing links How can anyone understand this:?

London consul

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getting better says on Jun 15, 2007, 04:15:

and the other

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getting better says on Jun 15, 2007, 04:16:

is http://www.ambafrance-co.org/article.php3?id_article=478#sommaire_2

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thur says on Jun 15, 2007, 04:52:

Understand. I understand the confusion and worse... I am confused. It says "visas válidas, título de estadía o residencia", which I saw as 3 exceptions, one being "a valid visa" including tourist. Air France only speaks of "valid visa". Timatic also speaks of "a visa", period. The other link apparantly only makes 2 distinctions as "a valid visa being of stay or residency". Bummer, let him call the embassy on one of the other telephone numbers for information. Ouch, sorry.
And you're right about the one day (which also could mean two/three: meaning asking for one on day 1, day 2 is the processing day and picking it up, or picking it up on day 3).
Greetings,

~ Sights & Sounds ~
www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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getting better says on Jun 15, 2007, 10:16:

Good news (I think) Air France in Bogota say that you definitely don't need an airport transit visa. Since they are the ones that effectively decide the rules I think he will be OK. Once he gets to Paris then they can hardly stop him going to England.
What I think, and I use word think without any responsibility to anyone if I am wrong, is that different French embassies in different parts of the world are interpreting the rules slightly differently, and whilst strictly Airport Transit Visas should be required for Colombians travelling through Paris to UK accordign to the quite ridiculous rules, because UK is not in Schengen, the French are showing a bit of common sense and not interpreting the rules strictly for Colombians going to the UK.
Anwyay I will post on this excellent forum any developments.

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thur says on Jun 20, 2007, 00:59:

Is that the official word? So there are 3 exceptions (including "a" visa, whatever form it is)?
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

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getting better says on Jul 8, 2007, 12:51:

OK he arrived without problem via Paris with no aiport transit visa. So you don't need one with a UK visa. Thank goodness.

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