Transit Schengen Visa

A Transit Schengen Visa is a permit for persons who only need to enter the Schengen territory in order to change their means of transport. There are two types of Transit Schengen Visas:

Airport Transit Schengen Visa
Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers

What is an Airport Transit Schengen Visa?

An Airport Transit Schengen Visa is a permit designated for travelers that have to change flights at a Schengen airport. It enables them to stop and wait in the international transit area of a Schengen airport for their flight to their destination country.

However, this visa does not permit its holder to leave the international transit area of an airport, even if the traveler has to wait overnight.

Please note that if you need to transit through more than one airport within the Schengen Area, then you are no longer eligible for an Airport Transit Visa. You should instead apply for a regular Schengen Visa (C Type).

This happens because flights between two or more Schengen countries are considered to be “domestic” flights, even if they are undertaken for transit purposes.

You will also have to apply for a regular Schengen Visa (C Type), in case you need to leave the airport in order to take your flight in another airport within the same country.

Do I need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa?

The nationals of the following countries need an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of any Schengen country airport:

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Ghana
Iran
Iraq
Nigeria
Pakistan
Somalia
Sri Lanka

In addition, most Schengen states have added some extra countries in the list of those who need an airport transit visa, when traveling through their airports. Following, find the list of the Schengen states and the countries, the nationals of which need a transit visa when passing through their airports:

Austria

Syria

Belgium

Dominican Republic
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Nepal
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria

Switzerland

Syria
Turkey

Czech Republic

Chad
Egypt
India
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Libya
Mali
Mauritania
Niger
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Yemen
Palestinians

Germany

India
Jordan
Lebanon
Mali
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Turkey

Denmark

Syria

Greece

Sudan
Syria

Spain

Cameroon
Côte D’Ivoire
Cuba
Djibouti
Gambia
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Jordan
Liberia
Mali
Sierra Leona
Syria
Togo

France

Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo (Brazzaville)
Côte D’Ivoire
Dominican Republic
Guinea
Haiti
India ( Since July 23, 2018, France has abolished the Airport Transit Visa regime for Indian citizens)
Mali
Mauritania
Philippines
Russia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Palestinians

Italy

Senegal
Syria

Luxembourg

Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Nepal
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Togo

Netherlands

Cuba
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Nepal
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria

Portugal

Guinea
Senegal

Airport Transit Schengen Visa Exempt Categories

You may be exempt from the airport visa requirement, even if you belong to any of the above listed countries, if you:

hold a diplomatic passport
are a family member of a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland
hold a valid visa issued by a Schengen state, a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, Japan or the United States
hold 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, Republic of San Marino, or the United States
are a flight crew member national of a contracting party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation

AtoZ Serwis Plus Transit Schengen Visa Solutions

As one of the world’s leading visa and immigration companies, AtoZ Serwis Plus has decades of experience in global visa applications. Our strong track record, experienced teams and up-to-date knowledge make us the first choice for Schengen visa.

How AtoZ Serwis Plus Can Help

With our knowledge of Transit Schengen Visa, AtoZ Serwis Plus can help you submit a Student visas application with confidence.

A dedicated Transit Schengen Visa consultant will help you:

Complete your Schengen visa application
Collect all essential documents
Visa Interview Preparation – if required
Updates & Follow-up with the Consulate

Reach out to us and discover how we can help you with your Transit Schengen Visa application.

FAQs

How Long Is the Transit Schengen Visa Valid For?

An Airport Transit Schengen visa is valid for 24 hours, and only in the international transit area of a Schengen airport. If you need to leave this area, or to remain there longer than one day, then you will have to apply for a regular Schengen visa instead.

On the other hand, a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers permits its holder to stay a maximum of five days in the Schengen territory, before leaving to a non-Schengen country.

Where to Submit the Transit Schengen Visa Application

You will have to submit your Transit Schengen Visa application at the representative visa authority of the country where the airport / seaport where you will change flight / vessel is located. This representative authority may be:

The embassy of the country where the airport / seaport is located
The consulate
A visa center of a third party to which this country has outsourced visa submission
The embassy / consulate of another country to which this country has outsourced visa submission

When to Apply for a Transit Schengen Visa

Submit your Transit Schengen Visa application at least 15 days prior to your trip towards the Schengen Zone. It is highly recommended to submit your application as soon as possible, though you cannot do it more than three months prior to your planned departure date.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Transit Schengen visa?

You will receive an answer on your Transit Schengen Visa application within two weeks approximately.

In case of specific or extraordinary situations, this period may extend up to 30 or 60 calendar days. That is why you are highly suggested to lodge your application well in advance. However, you still cannot submit an application more than three months prior to your trip.

How to Apply for a Transit Schengen Visa

To apply for a Transit Schengen visa, follow the steps listed below in the given order:

Check if you are required to hold this visa.
Complete the application form.
Collect the required documents. You can find the required documents for a Schengen visa listed and explained above in this article.
Make an appointment.
Attend your appointment to submit the required documents.
Pay the fee. The fee for a Transit visa is €60. Still, you should check the list of Schengen visa fees since you may have to pay a reduced fee instead, or no fee at all.

What Documents Are Required When Applying for a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers?

The required documents to apply for a Transit Schengen Visa for Seamen are as following:

Visa application form. Duly filled in and signed by the applicant.
Two recent passport-size photos. According to the criteria for Schengen visa application photos.
Valid passport. Issued within the last ten years, and valid for three more months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen territory.
Copies of passport data pages.
Original and photocopy of Seaman’s book.
Letter from the inviting Shipping Company. Issued by the inviting Shipping Company in the Schengen country in which the seafarer will disembark.
Travel medical insurance. Valid for all Schengen-countries with a minimum coverage of €30,000 of all health emergencies, including repatriation in case of death.
Flight reservation (if applicable).
Employment contract. Contract with the navigation company / ship in order to board the ship.
Proof of paid visa fee.

What Documents Are Required When Applying for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa?

The required documents to apply for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa are as following:

Visa application form. A regular short-stay visa application form, fully completed, printed and signed at the end.
Two recent photos. Taken within the last three months and according to the requirements for a Schengen visa photo.
Valid passport. With at least two blank pages in order to be able to affix the visa sticker in it. It must be no older than ten years and with a validity.
Documents related to the onward journey to the final destination
- Return flight ticket reservation showing the ongoing travel to a third country
- Visa issued by the country of your travel destination in case you need a visa
Travel insurance policy. That covers any medical emergencies with a minimum of €30,000.
Proof of paid visa fee. Which costs the same as a short-stay visa, that is €60.

What is a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers?

A Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers is a permit for seaman to disembark in one of the Schengen seaports. It enables them to leave their vessel at a Schengen seaport, and remain there for a limited period, until they get their next means of transport to a non-Schengen country.

Do I need a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers?

You will need a Transit Visa for Seafarers if you are the national of a third world country to which visa requirement applies, and you intend to:

Join a vessel that is (or will be) in a Schengen port
Transfer from one vessel to another vessel which is (or will be) docked in a Schengen port
Disembark due to end of contract, sickness, repatriation, urgent family matters, holiday etc.

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