The Schengen Airport Transit Visa allows non-EU nationals to stay within the airport transit zone during layovers without entering the Schengen Area. Discover the visa requirements, exemptions, application process, and essential travel tips to ensure smooth transit through Schengen airports.
Traveling through Europe? If your journey involves a layover at a Schengen Area airport, you might need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to stay in the international transit zone. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
What is the Schengen Airport Transit Visa (Type A)?
The Schengen Airport Transit Visa, also known as Type A, permits non-EU nationals to stay in the international transit zone of airports within the Schengen Area.
It’s important to note that this visa only allows passengers to remain in the designated transit zone and does not grant access beyond the airport or any Schengen country. This visa is typically required for individuals travelling to non-Schengen countries with a layover in a Schengen state.
Who Needs a Schengen Airport Transit Visa?
Not all travelers need a Airport Transit Visa. However, citizens from specific countries must obtain this visa before travelling, even if they are only transiting through a Schengen airport.
Countries Requiring an Airport Transit Visa
The following countries’ nationals must apply for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa when passing through any Schengen state:
• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iran
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Somalia
• Sri Lanka
Additional Country-Specific Requirements
In addition to the general list of countries requiring a Schengen Airport Transit Visa, certain Schengen states impose additional visa requirements for citizens from specific countries. Below is a breakdown of the extra requirements by country:
Austria
Nationals of Syria are required to obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa when passing through Austria. This ensures that travelers from Syria who are transiting through Austrian airports stay within the designated transit areas without entering the Schengen Area.
Belgium
Belgium has specific visa requirements for nationals from several countries. Travelers from the Dominican Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Nepal, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and Palestine must apply for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa before their journey. These requirements help regulate the flow of passengers transiting through Belgian airports.
Cyprus
If you are a national of Turkey and transiting through Cyprus, you will need to secure a Schengen Airport Transit Visa. Cyprus requires this visa to ensure proper control of passengers passing through its airports on their way to non-Schengen destinations.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic mandates an Airport Transit Visa for nationals of Algeria, Armenia, Chad, Cuba, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Russia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and Palestine. This requirement is in place for travelers making stopovers or changing flights in Czech airports.
Denmark
Travelers from Syria passing through Denmark’s airports are required to have an Airport Transit Visa. This visa ensures that Syrian nationals stay within the designated transit zones during their layover or flight changes.
France
France has additional transit visa requirements for citizens from a wide range of countries. Nationals from Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte D’Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guinea, Haiti, India, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Palestine must obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa. This rule applies to travelers making flight connections at French airports.
Germany
Germany requires a Schengen Airport Transit Visa for nationals of Cuba, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Turkey. These travelers must remain in the international transit zones while passing through German airports.
Greece
If you’re transiting through Greece and are a national of Cameroon, Congo, Sudan, or Syria, you will need a Schengen Airport Transit Visa. Greece enforces this visa requirement to manage passengers passing through its airports enroute to non-Schengen countries.
Italy
Italy requires nationals of Senegal and Syria to obtain an Airport Transit Visa when passing through Italian airports. This visa ensures that travelers from these countries remain in the airport’s transit areas during their layover.
Netherlands
Travelers from Cuba, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nepal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen are required to obtain an Airport Transit Visa when passing through the Netherlands. This visa controls the movement of passengers from these countries while they transit through Dutch airports.
Norway
Norway mandates an Airport Transit Visa for nationals of Syria and Turkey. If you are from these countries and transiting through Norway, you must secure the visa in advance to stay within the transit zones during your journey.
Poland
In Poland, nationals of Armenia, Cuba, and Egypt are required to apply for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa when passing through Polish airports. This visa is necessary for passengers to remain in the international transit zones during their layovers.
Portugal
Portugal requires nationals from Guinea, Senegal, and Uzbekistan to obtain an Airport Transit Visa. This visa ensures that passengers from these countries can only stay in the airport’s international transit zones while transiting through Portugal.
Romania
If you are transiting through Romania, nationals of Egypt, India, Lebanon, Morocco, Nepal, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, and Palestine must secure a Airport Transit Visa. This visa restricts travelers from these countries to the transit zones within Romanian airports.
Spain
Spain enforces transit visa requirements for nationals of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte D’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and Palestine. These travelers must apply for a visa before passing through Spanish airports.
Switzerland
Travelers from Cuba, Syria, and Turkey passing through Switzerland are required to obtain an Airport Transit Visa. This visa is necessary for passengers to stay in the international transit zones while waiting for their connecting flights.
Make sure to check with the specific Schengen country’s embassy for any updates on visa requirements before planning your trip.
Who Doesn’t Need an Airport Transit Visa?
Some travelers from countries that typically require an Airport Transit Visa may be exempt from this requirement under certain conditions:
• Holders of diplomatic passports.
• Individuals with valid visas or residence permits from Schengen, EU, or EEA countries.
• Travelers with residence permits from Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino, or the USA.
• Flight crew members on duty.
• Family members of EU citizens.
Always check the specific visa exemption criteria before your trip to avoid complications.
How to Apply for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa
If you are required to obtain a Schengen Airport Transit Visa, follow these steps:
Submit Your Application: Apply at the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country where your first layover occurs. If you’re transiting through multiple Schengen airports, apply for the visa at the embassy of the country where your initial stop will be.
Check for Third-Party Providers: Many Schengen countries outsource visa applications to agencies like VFS Global or BLS International. Be sure to verify the service center for your location.
Required Documents for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa
To apply for a Schengen Type A visa, you will need the following:
• A completed visa application form.
• Two recent passport-sized photos.
• A valid passport.
• Biometric data (if applicable).
• A letter detailing your travel plans, including flight details and purpose of transit.
• Proof of inbound and outbound flight reservations.
• A visa for your final destination.
• Proof of visa fee payment.
Ensure all documents are prepared ahead of time, as missing information can delay processing.
Processing Time and Fees
Processing times for the Schengen Airport Transit Visa can take up to 15 days. However, it’s advisable to apply at least one or two months before your travel date to avoid any unforeseen delays.
The visa fee typically costs EUR 90, though additional charges may apply depending on your nationality and the processing center used.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining a Schengen Airport Transit Visa is essential for many travelers transiting through Schengen airports. Always ensure you have the correct visa before traveling and consult official sources for the most up-to-date information. By staying informed and applying early, you can ensure a smooth transit through the Schengen Area without unnecessary delays.
Source: https://travelobiz.com/do-you-need-an-airport-transit-visa-to-pass-through-schengen-airports/
