If you’re traveling to Europe and passing through a Schengen country for a connecting flight or stopping at a Schengen port as a seafarer, having the right visa is crucial for a smooth journey. This guide explores Transit Schengen Visa, covering types, application processes, and exemptions.
Main Categories
Airport Transit Schengen Visa
It allows seamless flight connections within the Schengen territory. It lets you wait in the international transit area during flight changes. Note that this visa doesn’t permit leaving the transit area, even overnight.
If transiting through multiple Schengen airports, you’ll need a regular Schengen Visa (C Type) because these flights are considered domestic.
Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
Designed for seafarers, this visa allows disembarkation at a Schengen seaport for a limited period before continuing to a non-Schengen country. It covers joining vessels, transferring between ships, or disembarking for various reasons.
Requirements for Airport Transit Schengen Visa
Completed Visa Application Form: Fill out and sign the short-stay visa application form accurately.
Passport and Photos: Provide a valid passport with at least two blank pages and no older than ten years. Include two recent passport-sized photos that meet Schengen visa photo specifications.
Onward Journey Documents: Prepare documents related to your onward journey, such as a return flight ticket reservation and a visa from your final destination country if required.
Travel Insurance: Obtain a travel insurance policy that covers medical emergencies, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
Visa Fee Payment: Submit proof of payment for the visa fee, which is the same as that for a short-stay visa application.
Requirements for Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
Visa Application Form: Complete and sign the visa application form accurately.
Passport and Photos: Provide a valid passport issued within the last ten years, with validity extending three months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen territory. Include recent passport-size photos that meet Schengen visa photo standards.
Passport Copies and Seaman’s Book: Submit copies of passport data pages along with the original and photocopy of the Seaman’s book.
Invitation Letter: Obtain a letter from the inviting Shipping Company in the Schengen country where disembarkation occurs.
Travel Insurance: Obtain travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
Flight Reservation: Provide a flight reservation if applicable.
Employment Contract: Include an employment contract with the navigation company or ship as supporting documentation for the visa application.
Applying for a Transit Schengen Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
- First, determine if you need a Transit Schengen Visa based on your travel itinerary.
- Fill out the appropriate visa application form accurately and completely.
- Collect all necessary documents as per the detailed list provided by official sources.
- Book an appointment to submit your visa application at the designated consulate or embassy.
- Show up at the appointment with all the required documents, including your completed application form.
- Pay the applicable visa fee, which is typically €60. However, fee structures may vary depending on the consulate or embassy processing your application.
Where to Submit Your Application
Submit your Transit Schengen Visa application to the designated visa authority based on the location of the airport or seaport you’ll use:
- Embassy of the respective country
- Consulate
- Outsourced visa center authorized for visa submission
- Embassy or consulate of another country also accepting applications
Timing and Validity
Apply for your visa at least 15 days before your trip. Most applications are processed within two weeks, but it can take up to 30 or 60 days in special cases, so apply early.
The Airport Transit Schengen Visa is valid for 24 hours within the international transit area. For longer stays or leaving the transit area, you need a regular visa. The Transit Visa for Seafarers allows a maximum stay of five days in the territory before departure.
Exemptions
- Those holding a diplomatic passport are exempt from the airport transit visa requirement.
- Family members of citizens from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland are exempt.
- Individuals with a valid visa from a Schengen state, a Member State of the EU or EEA, Canada, Japan, or the United States are exempt.
- Those possessing a valid residence permit, the EU or EEA, Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino, or the United States are exempt.
- Flight crew members of a contracting party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation are also exempt from the airport transit visa requirement.
Understanding the types of visas, gathering required documents, and following the application process can make navigating your visa easier. Whether you’re a traveler with connecting flights or a seafarer docking at a Schengen port, the right visa is key for exploring Europe smoothly.
Stay informed with reliable visa information from official sources to ensure a successful application process. Happy travels!
