An Airport Transit Visa, also known as an Airport Transit Schengen Visa, is for travelers who have a layover at a Schengen airport. This visa allows them to wait for their connecting flight to their destination country within the international transit area of the airport. It’s important to note that holders of this visa are not permitted to leave the international transit area, even if they have an overnight wait.
Not all travelers require an Airport Transit Visa for a layover at a Schengen Airport; in many cases, this visa is not necessary.
Who Needs an Airport Transit Visa: Travelers who need to change flights within any of the EU Member States and are nationals of specific countries are required to hold an Airport Transit Visa. These countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Senegal, and Syria.
However, certain categories of travelers from these countries are exempt from the Airport Transit Visa requirement, such as:
- Holders of a valid uniform visa or residence permit issued by an EU Member State.
- Holders of a valid residence permit issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino Republic, or the USA, provided it guarantees an unconditional return to those countries (though not all permits from these countries guarantee exemption).
- Travelers with relatives who are citizens of an EU Member State.
- Holders of diplomatic passports.
- Third-country nationals with a valid visa issued by a Member State, a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, Canada, Japan, or the USA.
- Members of an aircrew who are citizens of a Member State of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Duration: The validity of an Airport Transit Visa is limited strictly to the duration of the transit.
Competent State: The Member State responsible for processing the visa application depends on the specific situation:
- For a single airport transit, it’s the Member State where the transit airport is located.
- For double or multiple airport transits, it’s the Member State where the first transit airport is situated.
Main Procedural Steps:
- Prepare the necessary documentation.
- Apply for the Transit Visa at the appropriate Italian Consulate abroad.