What Is a Schengen Transit Visa?
A Schengen Transit Visa is a visa granted by Schengen Area member countries to nationals of particular countries who seek to transit through one of the EU airports on their way to a non-EU/Schengen destination country.
Passengers who need to change flights at a Schengen airport are given permission with an “Airport Transit Visa.” It adds that this visa does not let applicants leave an airport’s international transit area, even if they must wait for a flight to their desired nation overnight. It permits them to stop and wait in the international transit area of a Schengen airport until their flight to the country of their choice arrives.
Please keep in mind that you are no longer eligible for an Airport Transit Visa if you need to transit via more than one airport inside the Schengen Area.
This occurs because flights between two or more Schengen countries are considered “domestic,” even if only for transit purposes.
A Transit Schengen Visa is permission for people who just need to enter the Schengen area to change their mode of transportation. Transit Visas are classified into two types:
- Transit Visa for Airports
- Transit Visa for Seafarers
What distinguishes a transit visa from an airport transit visa?
The Schengen Transit Visa, which permits the applicant to transit within no more than 5 days through a maximum of one Schengen nation by car, coach, or plane on the way to a non-Schengen nation, permits its applicant to travel within the international zone of the Schengen Nation Airport without going into the Schengen Country Area.
Who Requires Transit Visa?
The list of those who require a transit visa is far less than the list of people who require a Schengen Visa.
First, the Schengen nations have agreed on a joint list of third-country candidates. Travelers from these countries must get transit visas before making a stopover in their country. These are the countries:
- Bangladesh
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
Second, practically every Schengen member has a distinct list of third-country visitors who require a transit visa to transit the territory of that particular Schengen country.
What Documentation Is Necessary to Apply for a Schengen Transit Visa for an Airport?
- To submit an application for an airport transit Visa, the following papers are required:
- Application for a transit visa. A standard short-stay visa application form, completely filled out, printed and signed at the end.
- Two recent photographs. Photographed within the last three months and in accordance with the requirements for a Schengen visa.
- Policy for travel insurance. This covers any medical emergencies up to €30,000
- Proof of visa fee payment. Which is the same price as a short-stay visa
- The passport must be valid. It must have at least two blank pages in order to accommodate the visa sticker. It must be valid and no more than ten years old.
- Documents pertaining to the further travel to the ultimate destination
- Reservation for a return trip indicates that a third country is still being visited.
- If you require a visa, it will be issued by the nation where you will be traveling
How to apply for Schengen Transit visa?
- A passport or other travel document that was issued within the last ten years must be submitted. This must be valid for at least another three months from the date of your transit through the airport.
- A filled-out and signed Schengen visa application form must be submitted.
- On the web form, indicate “airport transit” as your preferred method of transportation.
- Each travel companion included in your travel documents must submit their own visa application. The parent’s signature is required on all forms for minors.
- Carry a photo that satisfies the Dutch passport photo specifications
- The taking of your fingerprints will occur when you submit your application. The taking of fingerprints is not required for all applicants, such as those who are under the age of 12. Prior to your present application, did you give biometric information within the last 59 months? Next, you have the option of having someone else submit your application on your behalf.
What is a Seafarers’ Schengen Transit Visa?
The ability to disembark in a Schengen seaport is granted by a Transit Visa for seafarers. They are able to leave their ship at a Schengen harbor and stay there temporarily until they board a vehicle to travel to a non-Schengen nation.
Is a Schengen Transit Visa for Seafarers required?
If you are a national of a third country to which the necessity for a visa applies and you want to:
- Join a ship that will be or is currently in a Schengen port
- Transfer between two ships that are berthed in a Schengen port.
- Disembarkation owing to contract expiration, illness, repatriation, pressing family concerns, vacation, etc.
What Documents Do Seafarers Need to Apply for a Schengen Transit Visa?
The following documents are necessary to apply for a Transit Visa :
- Two recent passport photographs. Photos must meet the criteria for Schengen visa applications.
- The passport must be valid. Issued within the last ten years and valid for three months after your scheduled departure from the Schengen area
- Copies of data pages from passports.
- Seaman’s book, both original and photocopy
- Reservation of a flight.
- Proof of visa fee payment.
- Email from the Shipping Organization that invited you. The welcoming Shipping Company in the Schengen country where the seafarer will disembark.
- Travel health coverage is required. Valid for all Schengen nations, with a €30,000 minimum coverage for all health situations, including transportation in the event of death.
- Employment agreement.
Applying for a Transit Visa for the Schengen Area
To apply for a Transit Visa, do the following steps in the sequence mentioned below:
- Check to see if you need to have this visa.
- Collect the necessary paperwork. The required documents for a Schengen visa are listed and explained in this article.
- Schedule a meeting
- Attend your visa appointment to turn in the necessary documentation.
- Make the payment. A Transit visa will cost you €60. However, you should examine the list of Schengen visa fees because you may be required to pay a lower fee or no fee at all.
Where Can I Apply for a Schengen Transit Visa?
You must apply for a Transit Visa at the representative visa authority of the country in which the airport/seaport where you will change flights/vessels is located. The individual with this authority could be any of the following:
- The country’s embassy is where the airport/seaport is located.
- The embassy
- A third-party visa center to whom this country has outsourced visa submission.
- Another country’s embassy or consulate to which this country has outsourced visa submission.
When Should You Apply for a Schengen Transit Visa?
Apply for a Transit 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 scheduled departure date.
How Long Does a Transit Schengen Visa Take?
You should receive a response to your Schengen Transit Visa application within two weeks.
In exceptional circumstances, this term may be extended to 30 or 60 calendar days. As soon as you can, you should submit your application. However, you cannot apply for a trip that is more than three months away.
How long does the transit Schengen visa last?
An Airport Transit Visa is only valid in the international transit area of a Schengen airport for 24 hours. If you need to leave the area or stay for more than one day, you must apply for a standard Schengen visa instead.
A Transit Visa for Seafarers, on the other hand, allows its holder to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of five days before leaving.