What is an Airport Transit Schengen Visa (Type A)?
An Airport Transit Schengen Visa (Type A) is a short-stay permit allowing travelers from specific non-Schengen countries to transit through the international zone of a Schengen Area airport during a layover or flight transfer, without entering the Schengen Area. This visa type is mandatory for travelers from select countries even if they remain in the airport.
If you need to transit through more than one Schengen airport or change airports within the same country, you must apply for a regular Schengen Visa (C Type). This is because travel between Schengen countries is considered domestic travel, and a transit visa is insufficient.
Who Needs a Schengen Visa for Airport Transit?
The nationals of the following countries need an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of any Schengen country airport:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
In addition, most Schengen states have added some extra countries to the list of those who need an airport transit visa, when travelling through their airports. Following, find the list of the Schengen states and the countries, the nationals of which need a transit visa when passing through their airports:
Austria
- Syria
Belgium
- Dominican Republic
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Nepal
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen*
- Palestinians
*A transit visa is required for only holders of ordinary passports.
Czech Republic
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Chad
- Cuba
- Egypt
- India
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Türkiye
- Yemen
- Palestinians
Denmark
- Syria
France
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Bolivia
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Guinea*
- Haiti
- India
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Philippines**
- Russia***
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Türkiye
- Palestinians****
*A transit visa is required even for holders of a diplomatic passport from Guinea.
**A transit visa is not required for sea crew members holding a seafarers identity document as per the International Labour Organization (ILO) Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention No 108 (1958) or No 185 (2003), the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL Convention) and French National laws.
***A transit visa is required for individuals traveling from an airport in any of these countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Türkiye or Egypt.
****A transit visa is required for only holders of a travel document for Palestinian refugees.
Germany
- Afghanistan
- India
- Jordan*
- Lebanon
- Mali
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Türkiye
*A transit visa is not required if you hold a Jordan passport or another travel document equivalent in addition to a valid travel visa for Australia, Israel, or New Zealand and a confirmed flight ticket to the country in question— or you are returning to Jordan after an authorized stay in one of the Schengen countries and hold a confirmed fight ticket to Jordan. The onward flight must leave within 12 hours after your arrival in Germany.
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
- Syria
- Türkiye
Poland
- Armenia
- Cuba
Portugal
- Guinea
- Senegal
Romania
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
Spain
- Cameroon
- Republic of the Congo
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Haiti*
- India
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Mali
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Türkiye
- Togo
- Yemen
- Palestinians
*A transit visa is required for holders of ordinary passports from Haiti issued from September 1, 2021.
Switzerland
- Cuba
- Syria
- Türkiye
Types of Airport Transit Visa (ATV)
There are three types of Airport Transit Visas (ATV):
- One-way ATV: Allows a single transit through a Schengen airport.
- Return ATV: Covers transits through one or more Schengen airports on a round trip.
- Multiple ATV: Permits multiple transits through one or more Schengen countries.
Please note that travelers with an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) are not allowed to enter Schengen territory. If your journey involves transiting through two airports or requires an overnight stay, a short-stay Schengen visa is required.
Documents Needed to Apply for Schengen Airport Transit Visa
To apply for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa, you need the following documents:
- Visa Application Form: Fully completed and signed.
- Two recent passport-sized photos: Following Schengen visa photo requirements.
- Valid Passport: At least two blank pages, issued within the last 10 years, and valid for at least three months beyond your intended return date.
- Round trip itinerary or air-tickets reservation: Proof of ongoing travel, such as flight tickets with confirmed date.
- Visa or travel document valid for the main destination.
- Schengen Visa Insurance: A policy covering at least €30,000 in medical emergencies.
You can purchase your policy online through Europ Assistance website and instantly download your insurance certificate. You can also explore low-cost Schengen health insurance options here.
- Proof of visa fee payment: The fee is the same as a short-stay Schengen visa.
How to Apply for a Schengen Airport Transit Visa
Follow these steps to apply for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa:
- Verify the requirement: Ensure that you need this visa based on your nationality and travel itinerary.
- Complete the Schengen visa application form.
- Collect the necessary documents.
- Schedule an appointment at the appropriate visa center or embassy.
- Submit the application and pay the fee.
FAQ
When to Apply for Schengen Transit Visa for Connecting Flights?
It’s recommended to apply for a Transit Schengen Visa at least 15 days before your travel date. Applications can be submitted no more than six months before departure.
How long is an ATV valid?
A Schengen visa for Airport Transit is valid for 24 hours and only allows transit within the international zone of the designated airport. If you need to stay longer or leave the transit area, you will need a regular Schengen visa.
Do I need an Airport Transit Visa if I am not leaving the airport?
Yes, certain nationalities require an Airport Transit Visa even if they remain within the international transit area and do not exit the airport.
What happens if my connecting flight is delayed and I need to stay overnight in the airport?
If your connecting flight is delayed and you need to stay overnight, you may still remain in the international transit area. However, if the airport closes the transit zone, you will need a regular Schengen visa to leave the transit area.
Can I transit through multiple Schengen countries with a single ATV?
No, an Airport Transit Permit only allows transit through a single Schengen airport. If you need to transit through multiple Schengen airports, you must apply for a regular Schengen visa.
Is it possible to upgrade from an ATV to a short-stay visa after applying?
Once your application has been submitted, you cannot change the visa type. If you require more than just airport transit, you must apply for a short-stay Schengen visa before traveling.
Do I need to collect my luggage during my airport transit in the Schengen Area?
This depends on the airline and the specific airports. In many cases, checked luggage is transferred automatically, but if you need to collect it and recheck it, you may require a regular Schengen visa to leave the transit area.
Does an ATV cover train or bus travel between airports in the same country?
No, an Airport Layover Schengen Visa only allows airport transfers within the international transit area of the airport. For travel between airports via train or bus, you need a regular Schengen visa.
What should I do if my connecting flight is canceled and I need to stay in the Schengen Area longer than expected?
In this case, you would need to contact the airport or immigration authorities to determine your options, as the Airport Transit Visa does not allow you to exit the transit area. In some cases, you may need to apply for an emergency visa or be accommodated by the airline.
Does having a valid visa from a non-Schengen country exempt me from needing an ATV?
In some cases, holding a valid visa from certain countries, such as the US, Canada, or Japan, may exempt you from needing an Airport Transit Visa, depending on the Schengen country’s rules. Always check the specific requirements of the country you are transiting through.