Introduction
If you’re an Indonesian citizen planning to travel to Europe, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa. The Schengen area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their common borders. This means that once you have a Schengen visa, you can travel freely within these countries without having to go through passport control. There are three types of Schengen visas, and in this article, we’ll focus on Type A Schengen Visa.
What is Type A Schengen Visa?
Type A Schengen Visa is also known as the airport transit visa. It is required for passengers who are passing through the international transit area of airports situated in the Schengen area, without entering the Schengen territory. This means that if you have a connecting flight in a Schengen airport to a non-Schengen country, you may need to apply for a Type A Schengen Visa.
Do I Need a Type A Schengen Visa?
Not everyone needs a Type A Schengen Visa. If you’re an Indonesian citizen with a valid visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, or if you’re a citizen of a country that has a visa-free agreement with the Schengen area, you don’t need a Type A Schengen Visa.
However, if you’re an Indonesian citizen traveling to a non-Schengen country with a connecting flight in a Schengen airport, and you need to leave the international transit area, you must apply for a Type A Schengen Visa.
Requirements for Type A Schengen Visa Application
To apply for a Type A Schengen Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be an Indonesian citizen
- You must have a valid passport that will not expire for at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen area
- You must have a valid visa or residence permit for the country you’re traveling to (if required)
- You must have a confirmed flight ticket to a non-Schengen country with a connecting flight in a Schengen airport
- You must be able to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in the Schengen area
- You must not be classified as a threat to public order, national security or international relations by any Schengen country
How to Apply for Type A Schengen Visa
Here are the steps to apply for a Type A Schengen Visa:
- Contact the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country where you’ll have your connecting flight, and make an appointment for a visa interview.
- Prepare all the required documents, including your passport, flight ticket, visa or residence permit to the country you’re traveling to, proof of sufficient funds, and any other documents required by the embassy or consulate.
- Attend the visa interview at the embassy or consulate on the scheduled date and time. Be prepared to answer questions about your travel plans and provide any additional documents requested by the visa officer.
- If your application is approved, you’ll be issued a Type A Schengen Visa, which will allow you to pass through the international transit area of the Schengen airport without entering the Schengen territory.
Validity Period of Type A Schengen Visa
Type A Schengen Visa is valid for a maximum of 5 days. This means that you must complete your transit and leave the Schengen airport within 5 days of your arrival. If you need to stay in the Schengen area for more than 5 days, you’ll need to apply for a different type of Schengen visa.
Conclusion
If you’re an Indonesian citizen traveling to a non-Schengen country with a connecting flight in a Schengen airport, you may need to apply for a Type A Schengen Visa. Make sure you meet all the requirements and follow the application process carefully to increase your chances of getting approved.
