Transit Visa Requirements: How Many Airports Need Them?

The number of airport transit visas required depends on several factors, including the traveller's nationality, the airport of transit, and the type of visa held. Airport transit visas (ATVs) are typically required for travel through Schengen countries, with exemptions for certain nationalities and visa holders. For example, Indian nationals are exempt from needing an ATV for transit through airports in the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland, but require one for transiting between two airports within Schengen countries. Other countries, such as the UK, have their own transit visa requirements, such as the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) for London Heathrow.

Transit through Schengen countries

If you are transiting through a Schengen country, you may need an airport transit visa (ATV). There are three types of ATV: a one-way ATV, which authorises one-way transit through a Schengen country; a return ATV, which authorises return airport transit through one or two Schengen countries; and a multiple ATV, which authorises several transits through one or more Schengen countries.

If you are transiting between two airports within Schengen countries, you will need an ATV. However, if you are an Indian national, you are exempt from needing an ATV for transit through airports in the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland.

You do not need an ATV if you are an aircraft crew member or national of a country that is party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (except China); a holder of a valid residence permit issued by a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area; a holder of a residence permit guaranteeing the right of return and issued by Monaco, the Principality of Andorra, Japan, Canada, the United States or the Republic of San Marino, by one or more countries or public bodies from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius); or a holder of a valid visa for a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, the United States or Japan, by one or more countries or public bodies from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius), regardless of the airport of departure.

If you hold an ordinary, service or special passport issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, or Sri Lanka; an ordinary passport issued by Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, the Philippines (except in the case of seafarers holding a seaman’s book issued in accordance with international conventions), the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Russia (if you are travelling from an airport located in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey or Egypt), Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria or Turkey; or a service passport issued by the Republic of Guinea, you must apply for an "A" airport transit visa (ATV).

Transit through France

If you are transiting through France, you may need to obtain a France Airport Transit Visa. This depends on your nationality, the category of your visa, and your means of transport.

The airport transit visa is for foreign nationals who have to land at a French airport for stays of no more than 24 hours and who do not intend to leave the international zone of the airport, including for a connecting flight.

There are three types of airport transit visa (ATV): a one-way ATV, which authorises one-way transit through a Schengen country; a return ATV, which authorises return airport transit through one or two Schengen countries; and a multiple ATV, which authorises several transits through one or more Schengen countries. Holders of ATVs are not authorised to enter the Schengen Area.

If you have a connection between two airports in the Schengen Area, or if the airport through which you wish to enter French territory is closed overnight for the duration of the transit, you must hold a valid short-stay Schengen visa.

To apply for a France Airport Transit Visa, you will need a passport or travel document (recognised by the French authorities, not older than 10 years, with a validity of not less than 3 months of the visa validity, undamaged, and with at least 2 empty pages), as well as a photocopy of the passport data page and a duly completed France short-stay visa application form.

Transit visa exemptions

Transit visa requirements vary depending on the country and the traveller's nationality. Here are some general exemptions where a transit visa may not be required:

• Aircraft crew members: Crew members of an aircraft are often exempt from needing a transit visa, as per the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. However, this exemption does not apply to crew members from China.
• Nationals of specific countries: Citizens of certain countries may be exempt from obtaining a transit visa. For example, Indians do not need a transit visa when transiting through airports in the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland (Schengen countries). However, they would need a transit visa if transiting between two airports within the Schengen area. Similarly, Indian nationals do not generally require a transit visa for most countries, except for a few like Brazil, where a visa is required for layovers exceeding four hours.
• Holders of specific residence permits: Individuals holding valid residence permits issued by specific countries or regions may be exempt from transit visa requirements. This includes permits from the European Union, European Economic Area, Monaco, the Principality of Andorra, Japan, Canada, the United States, the Republic of San Marino, and certain Caribbean countries.
• Valid visa holders for specific countries: Travellers holding a valid visa for certain countries may be exempt from needing a transit visa. For instance, those with valid visas for the US, Canada, Australia, or Japan are exempt from the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) requirement when transiting through London. Similarly, a transit visa is not required when travelling to Brazil via London if you have a valid Brazilian visa.
• Specific passport holders: In some cases, individuals holding specific types of passports may be exempt from transit visa requirements. For example, seafarers holding a seaman's book issued in accordance with international conventions are exempt when travelling from the Philippines.

Transit through London

London (Heathrow) has the Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV). While most flyers transiting through London require a DATV, exemptions exist for travellers bound for the US, Canada, Australia, or Japan with valid visas. If you are travelling to Brazil via London, a DATV is unnecessary. However, changing airports from Heathrow to Gatwick en route to the West Indies necessitates a transit visa. For flights overflying the US en route to Canada, a US visa is mandatory, and vice versa for flights overflying Canada en route to the US.

There are three types of airport transit visa (ATV): a one-way ATV, which authorises one-way transit through a Schengen country; a return ATV, which authorises return airport transit through one or two Schengen countries; and a multiple ATV, which authorises several transits through one or more Schengen countries. Holders of ATVs are not authorised to enter the Schengen Area. If you have a connection between two airports in the Schengen Area, or if the airport through which you wish to enter French territory is closed overnight for the duration of the transit, you must hold a valid short-stay Schengen visa.

You must apply for an "A" airport transit visa (ATV) if you hold an ordinary, service or special passport issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, or Sri Lanka. You must also apply if you hold an ordinary passport issued by Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria or Turkey.

You do not require an airport transit visa if you are an aircraft crew member or national of a country that is party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (except China); a holder of a valid residence permit issued by a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area; a holder of a residence permit guaranteeing the right of return and issued by Monaco, the Principality of Andorra, Japan, Canada, the United States or the Republic of San Marino, by one or more countries or public bodies from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius); a holder of a valid visa for a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, the United States or Japan, by one or more countries or public bodies from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius), regardless of the airport of departure.

Transit through Brazil

Indian citizens require a transit visa to travel through Brazil if their layover period exceeds seven hours or if they wish to leave the transit area of the airport. If you want to explore the city during your layover, you will need to apply for a Brazilian transit visa. This can take up to 15 working days to process, so it is recommended that you apply at least two to three weeks before your trip.

To apply for a transit visa, you will need a valid passport, international travel insurance, and accommodation. You can apply for a visa at a Brazilian consulate abroad, or online through the official Brazil Visa website. Once you have arrived in Brazil, you will need to present your visa documents and details of your transit/stay in the country at the immigration counter at the airport.

Previously, transit passengers did not require a visa to transit through Brazil if they did not go through customs and immigration control. However, the Brazilian Ministry of Justice has published regulations that require foreign nationals who do not hold a valid entry visa for Brazil to continue travelling to their destination or return to the country where their flight originated.

Frequently asked questions