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Home / International Travel Insurance / Articles / Visa / Schengen Transit Visa for Indians

Schengen Transit Visa for Indians

TeamAckoJan 29, 2024

Are you planning a transit through the Schengen nations? Then you will require a Schengen transit visa for transiting Schengen nations to reach your final destination. Travellers from all over the world travel to Europe due to its scenic beauty and mouth-watering food. 

Although, as an Indian citizen, you will not require a transit visa in several countries, a few countries will require you to possess a Schengen transit visa. In this guide, we will cover what a Schengen transit visa is, types of Schengen transit visa, eligibility and many more.

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Contents

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What is a Schengen Transit Visa for Indians?

A Schengen transit visa enables you to travel through the Schengen areas to a non-EU country. You must apply for this visa when you are staying in the international transit area of a Schengen nation and waiting for the connection to your final travel destination. In addition, you must apply for a Schengen transit visa even if you are not leaving the terminal. 

Do Indians Require Schengen Transit Visas?

Yes, Indians must apply for a Schengen transit visa before entering the region. However, as an Indian citizen, you are not required to apply for a Schengen visa for all the Schengen nations. You must only apply for a Schengen transit visa if you are transiting from any of the following countries:

  • Czech Republic

  • France

  • Germany

  • Spain

Types of Schengen Transit Visa for Indians

When applying for a Schengen transit visa, you must know its types to ensure a smooth and hassle-free application process. The Schengen nations offer three types of transit visas to travellers passing through their territories. Here is an overview of the types:

Airport Transit Schengen Visa (Type A)

The Schengen airport transit visa is for individuals wanting to transit the Schengen area through international airports without entering the nations. It restricts travellers from exiting the airport area and entering the country.

Airport Transit Schengen Visa (Type C)

It is for individuals having a layover for more than 24 hours in the Schengen nations’ international airports. The Type C transit visa also enables travellers to exit the international airport and take a flight from another airport in the same country.

Seafarers Transit Schengen Visa (Type B)

The Schengen seafarers' transit visa is for travellers wanting to transit through the Schengen seaports. It is ideal for travellers to embark or disembark from a ship docked in the Schengen port to leave the nation. 

Validity of Schengen Transit Visa for Indians

Before applying for a Schengen transit visa, you must know the validity of each type of transit visa to make an informed decision. The transit visas for Schengen countries have different validity depending on their types. Here is a breakdown of the validity of different Schengen transit visas:

Schengen Transit Visa Types

Validity

Airport Transit Schengen Visa (Type A)

Valid for 24 hours

Airport Transit Schengen Visa (Type C)

Valid for 90 days

Seafarers Transit Schengen Visa (Type B)

Valid for 5 days

Fees of Schengen Transit Visa for Indians

Indians wanting to transit through the Schengen areas must apply for a Schengen transit visa. Henceforth, they must pay a fee for applying for this visa type. Here is a table illustrating the Schengen transit visa cost:

Schengen Transit Visa Types

Fees for Indians

Airport Transit Visa

€ 80 (Rs. 7,260.20 approximately)

Airport Transit Visa (children between the ages of 6 and 12)

€ 40 (Rs. 3630.10 approximately)

Please note that the Schengen transit visa fee may change depending on the visa officials and the exchange rate. Hence, you must check the fees before applying for a Schengen transit visa.

Eligibility of Schengen Transit Visa for Indians

When applying for a Schengen transit visa, you must know the eligibility criteria for this visa type. Here is an overview of the eligibility criteria for a Schengen transit visa:

  • You must be in your home country when applying for this visa type. If you are residing in a foreign country with a residence permit, you must apply for it through the Embassy or Consulate over there.

  • You must have a valid Indian passport.

  • You must have valid visas and flight tickets to your final destination.

  • Your sole reason for applying for this visa type must be to transit the area and board a flight in the Schengen nation.

Documents Required for Transit Visa for Indians

The Schengen transit visa requires you to submit the necessary documents for verification and application purposes. Here are some Schengen transit visa requirements that you must submit during the application process:

  • A valid Indian passport with 3 months validity post-leaving the Schengen area.

  • A copy of your passport’s information page.

  • Schengen transit visa application form filled out.

  • 2 passport-sized photographs.

  • Visa of the country you are visiting.

  • Flight ticket as proof of your onward travel.

  • Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of € 30,000 (Rs. 27,22,574.14 approximately).

  • Proof of payment of the visa fee.

  • Letter from the shipping company (for seafarers only)

Photo Requirements for Schengen Transit Visa

Here are the photo guidelines you must follow when applying for a Schengen transit visa:

  • Photos must be 35 mm in width and 45 mm in height.

  • The photos must be taken within the last 6 months.

  • You must submit colour photos clicked in a light-coloured background when applying for this type of visa.

  • Your face must occupy 70-80 per cent of the photo.

  • You must have a neutral expression in the photo.

How to Apply for a Schengen Transit Visa for Indians?

The process for applying for a Schengen transit visa is straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide you can follow a seamless application process and ensure a Schengen transit visa from India:

Step 1: Download the Schengen transit visa application form and fill it out with your details.

Step 2: Provide all your details in the Schengen transit visa application form, like name, date of birth, type of travel document, purpose of visit and other relevant information.

Step 3: Submit this application form at the nearest Schengen country’s Embassy or Consulate you are visiting.

Step 4: Book an appointment at the Embassy for verification and interview purposes.

Step 5: Collect all the required documents and visit the Embassy on the scheduled appointment date. 

Step 6: The visa officials will ask you questions related to your purpose of visit and will ask you to submit your biometrics.

Step 7: They will ask you to pay the transit visa fees and will process your application form.

After successful verification, the visa officials will ask you to collect the Schengen transit visa from the application centre or Embassy.

Processing Time for Schengen Transit Visa for Indians

The Schengen transit visa processing time is usually two weeks or 15 days. However, the visa officials may take more time to process your Schengen transit visa due to workload or exceptional circumstances. Hence, you must apply for a transit visa for a Schengen nation 30 days before travelling to this area.

Why Does a Schengen Transit Visa for Indians Get Rejected?

Rejection of your Schengen transit visa can be frustrating. Hence, you must understand the reasons for the rejection before applying for a new Schengen transit visa. Here are some reasons for the rejection of a transit visa:

  • Incomplete or Incorrect Application

One of the common reasons for the rejection of a Schengen transit visa is an incomplete or incorrect application. Submitting an incorrect or incomplete form will be rejected by authorities. Hence, you must answer all questions accordingly and make sure you fill out every detail.

  • Insufficient Travel Insurance Amount

When applying for a Schengen transit visa, you must have travel insurance of a minimum of € 30,000. If you do not have a travel insurance policy, the visa officials will reject your visa application.

  • Invalid Travel Purpose

When applying for a Schengen transit visa, you must have a detailed itinerary of your trip. If your travel purpose is not properly defined, the visa officials will reject your application. In addition, you must have an onward travel ticket from the Schengen nation to prove you are leaving the nation.

What to Do If My Transit Visa for Indians Gets Rejected?

In case the Schengen visa officials reject your visa application, you must follow the tips to resolve the issues and rectify your mistakes when re-applying for a transit visa:

  1. Contact the Schengen Embassy or Consulate you have submitted the form and ask them the reason for rejecting your visa application. It will help you resolve the mistakes when re-applying for a transit visa.

  2. Re-apply for a Schengen transit visa by following all the guidelines and making sure there are no mistakes in the new application form.

  3. Upload all the necessary documents and make sure they align with the requirements and regulations of the Schengen visa authorities.

  4. In case you face any issues related to the Schengen transit visa, you must communicate with the visa authorities. They will help you resolve your issues and answer all your queries.

Henceforth, the Schengen transit visa allows you to travel through the Schengen nations while staying in international transit regions. In addition, knowing the details of a transit visa for Schengen will ensure a hassle-free and smooth application process. You must also follow the regulations of the Schengen transit visa when applying to avoid any issues.

In addition, you must avail travel insurance when applying for a Schengen transit visa. It will cover the losses arising due to medical emergencies or unforeseen circumstances during your stay in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions related to Schengen transit visa.

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How long is a Schengen transit visa valid?

The Schengen airport transit visa is valid for 24 hours. It allows a short stay in the international transit zone of the Schengen nation. However, the Schengen transit visa is valid for 5 days.

Do Indians need to apply for a Schengen transit visa?

Yes, if Indians are transiting through the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Spain, they must apply for a Schengen transit visa.

How long does it take to process a Schengen transit visa?

The processing time for a Schengen transit visa is 15 days. However, to avoid any delays you must apply for this visa beforehand.

Can I apply for a Schengen transit visa on arrival? 

No, you cannot apply for a Schengen transit visa on arrival. Hence, you must apply for a Schengen transit visa before travelling to the Schengen nation.

What happens if I travel to a Schengen nation without a transit visa?

The airline authorities will not allow you to board the aircraft if you do not possess a valid Schengen transit visa.

Where should I submit my Schengen transit visa application form?

You must submit your Schengen transit visa application to the Embassy or Consulate you intend to visit. If you intend to visit more than one country, you must submit the application form at the Consulate or Embassy of the primary purpose.

When should I apply for a Schengen transit visa?

You must apply for a Schengen transit visa a month before you travel to the area. The visa officials take 15 days to process your application request and applying it beforehand will help you in case of any delays.

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