What is a transit visa for the Netherlands airport?

An airport transit visa for Netherlands allows the holder to change planes at a Dutch airport before travelling to a country outside the Schengen area. It is also called an A-visa. A Dutch airport transit visa does not allow the holder to enter the Netherlands nor any other Schengen area country.



A transit visa for the Netherlands, officially known as an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) or "Type A" visa, allows citizens of certain "high-risk" countries to stay in the international transit zone of Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) without entering the Schengen Area. This visa is mandatory for nationals of countries like Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Iran, even if they are just changing planes on the way to a non-Schengen destination (like the US or UK). With an ATV, you are not permitted to leave the airport terminal, clear passport control, or visit a hotel outside the security gates. However, if you are a citizen of a country that normally requires a visa but you hold a valid green card or visa from the US, Canada, or Japan, you are usually "exempt" from needing the ATV. In 2026, most travelers from "visa-free" countries do not need any special authorization for a layover, but it is vital to check the latest ETIAS requirements if your layover involves a "self-transfer" where you must collect bags and re-check them, as this constitutes entering the country.

People Also Ask

Air France-KLM has announced that it will require an airport transit visa (ATV) for some passengers connecting to the UK. This means citizens from certain countries in Africa and Asia will require an ATV in addition to their UK visas to transit through France or Netherlands.

MORE DETAILS

An airport transit visa is generally required if you travel internationally and if you need to transit through a country. Even if you do not intend to leave the airport, you may need an airport transit visa.

MORE DETAILS

While the Airport Transit Visa allows its holder to travel through the international zone of the Schengen Country Airport without entering the Schengen Country Area the Transit visa which allows its holder to transit within no more than 5 days through more than one Schengen country by car, coach or plane on the way to ...

MORE DETAILS

Transiting the United States In general, travelers in transit through the United States require valid C-1 visas.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, a Schengen visa is needed even for transit. This type of visa is valid for 24 hours and can only be used in the transit area of a Schengen country airport. If you want to leave the transit area and go anywhere outside, you need to have a regular Schengen visa in that case.

MORE DETAILS

A connecting flight or transit flight is to reach the final destination through two or more flights, namely, traveling without any direct flights.

MORE DETAILS

If you are transferring on a connecting flight to a non-Schengen or non-EU destination, and you stay in the transfer area at Schiphol and depart within 48 hours, make sure you have a valid flight ticket and valid travel documents so that you are able to prove that you are in transit.

MORE DETAILS

The Netherlands is a Schengen Area country. The Schengen Area countries have reached agreements with each other on visa policy, asylum policy, and cooperation between their police and judicial authorities.

MORE DETAILS

You need a transit visa to change planes even if you're not planning on leaving the airport but are exempt from that requirement if have a valid visa for an EU/EEA country, Canada, Japan or the United States of America.

MORE DETAILS

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

MORE DETAILS