Important Travel Document Information – Please Read
A Transit Schengen Visa is a document that allows people to enter the Schengen area solely to change modes of transportation. For travelers who must switch flights at a Schengen airport, it allows passengers to pause and wait for their aircraft to their final destination in the international transit section of a Schengen airport.
Other Schengen Visa Options
Aside from Schengen Transit (A-Visas), you may also apply for the following:
- Schengen Short-Stay (C-Visa)
- Schengen Long-Stay (D-Visa)
What is a Schengen Transit Visa for Airports?
An Airport Transit Schengen Visa is a document that allows travelers to change planes at a Schengen airport. It allows them to wait for their flight to their destination country in the international transit section of a Schengen airport.
This visa, however, does not allow the holder to leave an airport’s international transit area, even if the tourist must remain overnight.
You will no longer be eligible for an Airport Transit Visa if you need to transit through more than one airport inside the Schengen Area. Instead, you should apply for a standard Schengen Visa (C Type).
This is due to the fact that flights between two or more Schengen nations are considered “domestic” flights, even if they are just used for transit.
In the event that you need to leave the airport to catch a flight in another country, you will also need to apply for a regular Schengen Visa (C Type).
Is a Schengen Transit Visa Required for Airport Transit?
When transiting through the international transit section of any Schengen country airport, nationals of the following countries require an airport transit visa:
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Eritrea\Ethiopia\Ghana
Iran
Iraq
Nigeria
Pakistan
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Exemptions from the Schengen Visa for Airport Transit
Even if you are from one of the above-mentioned countries, you may be excused from the airport visa requirement if you:
- hold a diplomatic passport
- are a family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen
- have a valid visa issued by a Schengen state, a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, Japan, the Republic of San Marino, or the United States
- have a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen state, a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, the Principality of Andorra, Canada, Japan, the Republic of San Marino
What Documents Are Required for a Schengen Transit Visa?
The following are the documents needed to apply for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa:
- Form for obtaining a visa. A standard short-stay visa application form that has been fully completed, printed, and signed.
- Here are two recent photographs. Taken within the past three months and in accordance with the Schengen visa photo standards.
- A valid passport is required. With at least two blank pages so that the visa sticker can be affixed. It must be valid and no more than ten years old.
- Documents pertaining to the final destinations continued travel
- The reservation for a return flight ticket to a third country shows that the trip is still in progress.
- If you require a visa, it will be issued by the country where you will be travelling.
- Policy for travel insurance. With a minimum of €30,000, this covers any medical crises.
- Proof of payment of the visa fee. Which is the same price as a short-term visa.
What is a Seafarer Transit Schengen Visa?
A Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers allows a seaman to disembark in a Schengen seaport. It allows them to dock their ship in a Schengen port and stay there for a short time until they can arrange for their next mode of transportation to a non-Schengen country.
For detailed information on specific parts of the visa process, you can refer to the links below to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
For detailed information on specific parts of the Schengen transit visa process, you can refer to the links to the right to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
Other EU Visa Types
A Visa is required for any third national wishing to enter or trasnit through any Schengen country. It could be a short-stay Schengen C-visa for stays of up to 90 days or a national D-visa / residence permit for longer stays in the Schengen zone.
Is a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers required?
Youll need a Transit Visa for Seafarers if you’re a national of a third-world country where visas are required and you plan to:
- Join a ship currently (or soon to be) docked in a Schengen port.
- Transfer from one vessel to another that is docked in a Schengen port (or will be).
- Disembark owing to contract expiration, illness, repatriation, urgent family concerns, vacation, and other reasons.
People Also Asked
Submit your application for a Transit Schengen Visa at least 15 days before your trip to the Schengen Zone. It is strongly advised that you submit your application as soon as possible, but no later than three months before your intended departure date.
Within two weeks, you should receive a response to your Transit Schengen Visa application.
This period may be extended up to 30 or 60 calendar days in the event of particular or extreme circumstances. As a result, it is strongly advised that you submit your application well in advance. You cannot, however, submit an application more than three months before your travel.
An Airport Transit Schengen visa is only valid in the international transit area of a Schengen airport for 24 hours. If you need to depart or stay in this area for more than one day, you must apply for a standard Schengen visa instead.
A Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers, on the other hand, allows its holder to stay in Schengen territory for a maximum of five days before exiting the Schengen area.
If your connecting flight is cancelled, you will need to contact the airline to rebook your flight. If you are unable to rebook your flight, you may need to apply for a short-stay visa for the Schengen country where you are transiting.
If you have a layover of more than 24 hours in a Schengen airport, you will need to apply for a transit visa. This is because you will be considered to be entering the Schengen Area even if you do not leave the airport’s international transit area.
No, you do not need a transit visa if you are only changing planes in a Schengen airport and you do not leave the airport’s international transit area. However, you must have a confirmed onward ticket to a non-Schengen destination and you must not be staying in the Schengen Area for more than 24 hours.