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.
Main Differences Between an Airport Transit Visa and a Regular Schengen Visa
Understanding the distinctions between an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) and a Regular Schengen Visa is crucial for travelers who may need to navigate through the Schengen Area. Below are the primary differences:
Purpose of the Visa
- Airport Transit Visa (Type A): This visa allows travelers from specific non-Schengen countries to transit through the international zone of an airport in the Schengen Area without entering the country. It is specifically for layovers where the traveler does not leave the airport’s transit area.
- Regular Schengen Visa (Type C): This visa permits entry into any Schengen country for short stays, typically up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It allows travelers to explore the country or travel between Schengen countries.
Duration of Stay
- Airport Transit Visa: Valid for a maximum stay of 24 hours within the international transit area. If a traveler needs to stay longer or exit the airport, a regular Schengen visa is required.
- Regular Schengen Visa: Allows for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, depending on the visa type (single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry) granted.
Geographic Scope
- Airport Transit Visa: Only applicable at specific airports and does not allow travel beyond the international transit area. It is limited to transiting through one airport in the Schengen Area.
- Regular Schengen Visa: Valid across all Schengen countries, allowing free movement between them. This visa is necessary for travelers who plan to visit multiple countries within the Schengen Zone.
Requirements for Application
- Airport Transit Visa: Generally requires fewer documents, primarily focusing on proof of onward travel and valid visas for final destinations outside the Schengen Area. Travelers must not intend to leave the airport during their layover.
- Regular Schengen Visa: Requires more comprehensive documentation, including proof of accommodation, travel insurance, financial means, and sometimes an itinerary detailing planned activities within the Schengen Area.
Eligibility
- Airport Transit Visa: Mandatory for nationals from certain countries even if they remain in the airport. Some travelers may be exempt based on their nationality or existing visas.
- Regular Schengen Visa: Open to all non-EU nationals who meet specific criteria and wish to enter any part of the Schengen Area. This includes tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family or friends.
In summary, while both visas facilitate travel involving layovers in Schengen countries, they serve different purposes and have distinct requirements and limitations. The Airport Transit Visa is strictly for brief layovers without entering the country, whereas a Regular Schengen Visa allows broader access and longer stays across multiple countries within the region.
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.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the Schengen Area straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a Transit Visa or an Airport Transit Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our Immigration Consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process and coordinate with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas have a strong record of helping clients secure the visas/permits they need to visit Schengen Area. You can call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can help you.
