The Transit Schengen Visa 2024 is the required visa now, to intemperate travel into Europe and see a continent fractured deeply among history, culture, and an unequaled beauty. Every Schengen Visa type is essential but Transit Schengen Visa is one of the few types that you cannot do without if your travel plan includes transiting or making stopovers in the Schengen area. This exhaustive guide will go under the microscopic exposure of Transit Schengen Visa Guide, which will highlight the different variants, eligibility factors, application necessities, and many more.
Navigating the Types of Transit Schengen Visa Guide
1. Airport Transit Schengen Visa 2024
Schengen Airport Transit Schengen Visa (ASSV), more explicitly referred to as an Airport Transit Visa, is a special kind of visa designed specifically for passengers who are transferring at a Schengen airport. The main purpose of this document is to allow passengers to cede to duty-free shopping areas of the transit zone in Schengen Airport for connection of the flight to the end of travel. But, keep in mind that the checkpoint still bars its holder from leaving the transit area regardless of the length of a stay on long layovers.
Exceptions to the Airport Transit Schengen Visa 2024 Guide
For instance, the acquisition of an Airport Transit Visa is no longer possible, if you travel through multiple Schengen Areas airports. It is through this visa type that one should seek entry for stays longer than 90 days in any EU/EEA country. This is because these flights whenever certain travel is within the borders of the Schengen region are categorized as being “domestic” flights and they do not fall in the category of “transit flights”. On the other hand, if leaving the airport to exit the country to catch another flight from another airport inside the Schengen area is needed, a regular Schengen visa will be also necessary.
2. Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers is a specific document aimed at marine crews entering a Schengen seaport only for leaving the ship. It allows them to temporarily leave their vessel in a Schengen seaport and stay for a limited duration before they continue their journey to a non-Schengen country.
Do You Need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa Guide?
To determine whether you need an Airport Transit Schengen Visa, it’s crucial to consider your nationality. The following countries’ nationals require an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of any Schengen airport:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Moreover, some Schengen states have extended the list of countries whose nationals require an airport transit visa when traveling through their airports. Here is a detailed breakdown of these countries:
- Austria
- Syria
- Belgium
- Dominican Republic
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Nepal
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen (Transit visa required for ordinary passport holders only)
- Palestinians (Transit visa required)
- Czech Republic
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Chad
- Cuba
- Egypt
- India
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkey
- Yemen (Transit visa required for individuals traveling from specific countries)
- Palestinians (Transit visa required for travel document holders)
- Denmark
- Syria
- France
- Angola
- Bolivia
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Guinea
- Haiti
- India
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Philippines (Transit visa not required for seafarers with a specific identity document)
- Russia (Transit visa required for individuals traveling from specific countries)
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkey
- Palestinians (Transit visa required for travel document holders)
- Germany
- India
- Jordan (Transit visa not required if certain conditions are met)
- Greece
- Cameroon
- Republic of the Congo
- Sudan
- Syria
- Italy
- Senegal
- Syria
- Netherlands
- Cuba
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Nepal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
- Norway
- Turkey
- Syria
- Poland
- Armenia
- Cuba
- Portugal
- Guinea
- Senegal
- Spain
- Cameroon
- Republic of the Congo
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Haiti (Transit visa required for ordinary passport holders from September 1, 2021)
- India
- Liberia
- Mali
- Sierra Leone
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Turkey
- Togo
- Yemen (Transit visa required for travel document holders)
- Switzerland
- Cuba
- Syria
- Turkey
Airport Transit Schengen Visa Exempt Categories
Certain individuals may be exempt from the airport transit visa requirement, even if they belong to one of the above-listed countries. Exemptions include:
- Holders of diplomatic passports
- Family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens
- Holders of valid visas issued by Schengen states, EU Member States, the European Economic Area, Canada, Japan, or the United States
- Holders of valid residence permits issued by Schengen states, EU Member States, the European Economic Area, the Principality of Andorra, Canada, Japan, the Republic of San Marino, or the United States
- Flight crew members who are nationals of a contracting party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
Required Documents for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa
When applying for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa, you will need to provide the following documents:
1. Visa Application Form: A fully completed short-stay visa application form, printed, and signed.
2. Recent Photos: Two recent passport-size photos taken within the last three months, following Schengen visa photo requirements.
3. Valid Passport: A valid passport with at least two blank pages for visa affixation. It must be no older than ten years and should have sufficient validity.
4. Documents Related to Onward Journey
Proof of your onward journey to your final destination, which may include:
Return flight ticket reservation demonstrating travel to a third country
Visa issued by your travel destination, if applicable
Travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies, including repatriation in case of death
Proof of paid visa fee (equivalent to a short-stay visa fee)
These documents collectively demonstrate your intent, the purpose of travel, and your ability to meet any financial obligations during your transit.
Applying for a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
The Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers caters specifically to seafarers who need to disembark in a Schengen seaport. Here’s what you need to know about this specialized visa:
Eligibility and Use Cases
You will require a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers if you are a national of a third country and:
Intend to join a vessel currently or soon to be docked in a Schengen port
Need to transfer from one vessel to another within a Schengen port
Plan to disembark due to reasons like the end of a contract, illness, repatriation, urgent family matters, or a holiday
Required Documents for Seafarers
When applying for a Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers, ensure you provide the following documents:
- Visa Application Form: A visa application form, filled out and signed.
- Passport Photos: Two recent passport-size photos adhering to Schengen visa photo guidelines.
- Valid Passport: A valid passport issued within the last ten years and valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen territory.
- Seaman’s Book: Both the original and a photocopy of your seaman’s book.
- Letter from the Inviting Shipping Company: A letter issued by the inviting shipping company in the Schengen country where you will disembark.
- Travel Medical Insurance: Valid travel medical insurance covering health emergencies with a minimum coverage of €30,000, including repatriation in case of death.
- Flight Reservation: If applicable to your journey.
- Employment Contract: Your employment contract with the navigation company or ship you are boarding.
- Proof of Paid Visa Fee: Demonstrate payment of the visa fee.
Application Process
To apply for a Transit Schengen Visa, follow these steps:
- Check if you are required to hold the visa based on your nationality.
- Complete the application form.
- Gather the necessary documents, including those mentioned above.
- Schedule an appointment to submit your application and documents.
- Pay the visa fee (€60 or as applicable).
- Attend the appointment and submit your application.
- Await a response on your visa application, which typically arrives within two weeks. In exceptional cases, this duration may extend to 30 or 60 calendar days.
Therefore, it’s advisable to apply well in advance, though you cannot apply more than three months before your intended departure.
Duration for Transit Schengen Visa 2024
The validity of a Transit Schengen Visa varies based on its type:
Airport Transit Schengen Visa:
Valid for 24 hours within the international transit area of a Schengen airport. For extended stays or leaving the transit area, a regular Schengen visa is required.
Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers:
Allows a maximum stay of five days within the Schengen territory before departing the area.
Navigating the world of transit Schengen visas requires careful planning, completing documents, and following the rules. By meeting all requirements, you ensure a smooth transit through Schengen areas. Whether you’re a traveler on a layover or a seafarer on a brief stop, understanding the transit Schengen visa helps you travel through Europe with confidence. Remember, your Transit Schengen Visa is your key to exploring Europe’s beauty and diversity.
