Attention: As of 17 September 2022, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry rules for travellers to the Netherlands. You can enter the Netherlands without proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result.
Do I need an airport transit visa?
Whether you need an airport transit visa depends on a number of things, including your nationality. The Visa Advisor helps you determine whether you need an airport transit visa.
What do I need to do?
- You must submit a passport or other travel document issued within the last 10 years. This must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for at least another 3 months after the date of your transit through the airport in the Netherlands.
- You must submit a completed and signed Schengen visa application form. In the online form indicate ‘airport transit’ as the main purpose of your journey. Each person travelling with you on your travel document must submit their own visa form. Forms for children under the age of 18 need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
- Bring a photo that meets the Dutch requirements for passport photos.
- When you submit your application your fingerprints will be taken. These will be held for 59 months. Some applicants, such as children under the age of 12, do not need to have their fingerprints taken.
Did you provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) within the last 59 months prior to your current application? Then you can choose to have someone else submit your application for you. You do not have to appear in person.
Please note: If, during the assessment of your application, it appears that your fingerprints are not in the system, you will have to come and submit them. Also, you can always be invited for an interview if your application gives reason to do so.
You must also provide a number of documents to ensure that your application is assessed correctly. See the airport transit checklist.
How much does a visa cost?
When you apply for a visa at a Dutch embassy or consulate, you must pay a fee. You can find the fee on the fees page (look at the prices of a Schengen visa). If you apply through an external service provider, such as a visa agency, you will have to pay an extra fee to the provider.
The visa fee shall be waived for applicants belonging to one of the following categories:
- children under 6 years;
- school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training;
- researchers* travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research or participating in a scientific seminar or conference;
- representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.
*as defined in point (2) of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 )
How long does it take?
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. For seafares this is 9 months. You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance.
In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. Sometimes it can take up to 30 days if more time is needed, and up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.
If you’ve applied for a visa for the Netherlands, you can track the status of your application online.
Longer waiting time for visa applications
You may experience longer waiting times to get an appointment. And it may take longer than 15 days to process your application.
This is because more applicants want to travel to the Netherlands after COVID travel restrictions have been eased worldwide.
We are working to expand the number of available appointments and to increase our capacity. We regularly offer new appointment slots, so please keep checking the appointment system.
Plan your trip well in advance. And make sure you have all the documents ready for your appointment.
How will my application be assessed?
Your application will be checked in the Schengen Information System (SIS II). In addition, your application details will be checked and saved in the Visa Information System (VIS).
Applying for a visa in this country or region
Visa requirement lifted for airport transit visa in certain cases
Ghanean nationals holding a valid visa or residence permit for the United States, Canada, Japan or the EER-countries do no longer require an airport transit visa if they do not leave the (NON-Schengen) International airport transit zone while transiting at a Schengen airport.
Should you however transit through two Schengen countries before continuing to your final destination, you do require a visa, even when you do not leave the airport.
An example:Accra-Amsterdam-Madrid-Lima. As one would need to enter the Schengen airport transit zone to transit from Amsterdam to the flight to Madrid, a c-visa is required in this case.
Visa application procedure in Ghana
The Netherlands embassy in Accra uses the services of VFS Global. Make an online appointment via the website of VFS Global.
The Netherlands has made representation arrangements for short-stay visa applications (for a stay of maximum 90 days per 180 days period) with Austria, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal. Residents of Ghana travelling to 1 of these countries can also submit their application via VFS Global. Make an online appointment via the website of VFS Global.
Those wishing to settle in Austria, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland or Portugal and wishing to apply for a residence permit should however turn to the nearest embassy of these countries to start the proper procedure.
If you have received an approval after an appeal, you can submit your visa application at the embassy. You do not need to make an appointment.
You can walk in on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 8:00 and 10:00 hours to submit additional documents.
Before you come, please check the days the embassy is closed.
Bring the following documents with you to the appointment:
- a valid travel document
- the no objection letter (and a copy) stating that your objection has been successful
- any documents mentioned in the letter (if applicable). For example, a hotel or flight reservation, or proof of insurance.
You will not need to complete a new visa application form or pay for the visa again.
Holders of diplomatic and service passports have to make an appointment via the online appointment system to submit their application at the Netherlands embassy in Accra.
The average processing time of a visa application isfifteen (15) calendar days.
In case the application is incomplete, needs further investigation or in case the application has to be forwarded to the competent authorities in the Netherlands for further consideration, the assessment may take weeks or even longer.
Attention: You are advised to submit your application approximately 4 weeks before your planned departure date or even earlier.
You do not need to make an appointment to collect your document(s).
Collection times are: Monday to Friday between 8:00 and 10:00 hours.
Before you come, please check the days on which the embassy is closed.
If you are not able to collect your decision and passport, you may authorise another person to collect it on your behalf. In that case the embassy requires a written and signed authorisation letter from you, including a copy of your passport.
The embassy will report the use of false and counterfeit documents to the Ghanaian Police (CID) or GIS (Ghana Immigration Service) depending on the forgery; these documents will not be returned to the applicant.
The embassy often receives e-mails from European citizens who are in contact with someone from this region through the internet. Often these contacts result in scamming whereby the scammer does not reveal his or her true identity and requests to transfer high amounts for various reasons (legalisations, costly visa procedures, medical check-ups and supporting documents not required by Dutch authorities in relation to consular procedures, hospitalisation, inheritance, gold ornaments). Beware of this (romance) scamming.
Other than warning for this type of scamming, the embassy cannot be of assistance in taking legal steps once Europeancitizenshave become victims of this type of scamming.
FAQs
How do I get an airport transit visa for the Netherlands? ›
You must submit a passport or other travel document issued within the last 10 years. This must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid for at least another 3 months after the date of your transit through the airport in the Netherlands. You must submit a completed and signed Schengen visa application form.
Does a Ghanaian need a transit visa for Amsterdam? ›Applying for a visa in this country or region
Should you however transit through two Schengen countries before continuing to your final destination, you do require a visa, even when you do not leave the airport. An example: Accra-Amsterdam-Madrid-Lima.
If you will be making a short stop at a Dutch airport you may need an airport transit visa. Attention: As of 17 September 2022, there are no longer any COVID-19 entry rules for travellers to the Netherlands. You can enter the Netherlands without proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative test result.
Do I need airport transit visa in Netherlands? ›Note that if your connecting flight is to another Schengen area country, you don't need a transit visa. Instead, you will need a regular short-stay Schengen visa for the Netherlands. This also applies if you need to transit through another airport within the Schengen Area, other than a Dutch one.
How long does it take to get an airport transit visa Netherlands? ›Sometimes it can take up to 30 days if more time is needed, and up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required. If you've applied for a visa for the Netherlands, you can track the status of your application online.
Is transit visa required for connecting flights? ›A connecting flight follows a route from point A to point B with a stop in point C (in this case, you will need a transit visa).
Which countries ask for transit visa? ›| Visa issuing country | Countries whose citizens need an ATV for a specific Schengen member state |
|---|---|
| Denmark | Syria |
| Greece | Sudan, Syria |
| Spain | Cameroon, Côte D'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Jordan, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Syria, Togo |
If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. In many cases you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands.
Do I need transit visa if I have Schengen visa? ›Indian nationals generally require an airport transit visa for the Schengen area. This visa allows a short stop-over at an international airport only, without leaving the airport's international transit area or overnight stay in a hotel.
How many days it takes for Netherlands visa approval? ›You should apply no later than 15 working days in advance. In most cases, you will be informed within 15 calendar days whether your application has been successful. However, it can sometimes take up to 45 days, for example if extra documents are required.
What does transit mean when applying for a visa? ›
Transit (C) visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons traveling in immediate and continuous transit through the United States en route to another country, with few exceptions.
How long do I need for a connecting flight in Amsterdam? ›The minimum required transfer time at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights.
What is the difference between transit visa and airport transit visa? ›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 ...
Do I need a transit visa if I have two layovers in Europe? ›"Will I need a transit visa?" No, you will need a regular Schengen Visa (Type C). To fly between Paris and Amsterdam you will be entering the Schengen area at Paris and departing it from Amsterdam which requires passing through passport control which requires a regular (not transit) visa for Indian citizens.
What is the difference between a visa and a transit visa? ›A tourist visa is available for a period of at least 30 days and maximum 90 days. Transit visa is available for just two days. A tourist visa is available for single-entry and double-entry visits. Transit visa is available for a single-entry visit.
Can a transit visa be denied? ›The decision to issue or refuse a transit visa is a matter for the discretion of the Minister of Immigration or the appropriate visa officer. An applicant has no right of appeal or judicial review against a decision to refuse a transit visa.
How long does it take to process Netherlands visa in Ghana? ›The average processing time of a visa application is fifteen (15) calendar days. In case the application is incomplete, needs further investigation or in case the application has to be forwarded to the competent authorities in the Netherlands for further consideration, the assessment may take weeks or even longer.
How much is visa from Netherlands to Ghana? ›| Visa | EUR |
|---|---|
| Schengenvisum normaal tarief / Schengen visa normal fee | 80,00 |
| Schengenvisum laag tarief*** / Schengen visa, low fee**** | 35,00 |
| Caribisch visum kinderen tot 6 jaar / Caribbean visa child (under 6) | Gratis |
| Caribisch visum kinderen 6 t/m 11 jaar / Caribbean visa child (6 - 11) | 40,00 |
Netherlands is open for travel. Most visitors from Ghana can travel to Netherlands without restrictions. No quarantine is required. Find travel restrictions, quarantine and entry requirements to travel Netherlands.
Which country rejected visa most? ›According to Schengen Visa Statistic 2021, the 4 countries with the highest rejection rates were: Sweden, Norway, France, and Denmark.
How long does it take to get a Schengen airport transit visa? ›
Processing Time of Schengen Airport Transit Visa
Normally, your application will be processed within 15 working days. However, this can take longer in certain cases. As a result, you must apply for the visa well in advance. However, you cannot apply more than 3 months before your intended travel date.
We process most transit visa applications in a few weeks or less. Processing times depend on the visa office and if you need to complete any additional steps. We'll return your passport and other original documents to you after we process your application.
How do I get a transit visa for a layover? ›You can apply for a transit visa by filling out the application for a Temporary Resident Visa and selecting transit visa from the list of options on the form.
How much is transit visa for Amsterdam? ›The Schengen Transit visa application costs 80€. Biometric Data. Children, handicapped persons and government officials are exempt from this requirement. Copies of previous visas if applicable.
Can a transit visa be denied? ›The decision to issue or refuse a transit visa is a matter for the discretion of the Minister of Immigration or the appropriate visa officer. An applicant has no right of appeal or judicial review against a decision to refuse a transit visa.
Do I need a transit visa if I have two layovers in Europe? ›"Will I need a transit visa?" No, you will need a regular Schengen Visa (Type C). To fly between Paris and Amsterdam you will be entering the Schengen area at Paris and departing it from Amsterdam which requires passing through passport control which requires a regular (not transit) visa for Indian citizens.
Can I transit without transit visa? ›Transiting the United States
In general, travelers in transit through the United States require valid C-1 visas.
The minimum required transfer time at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 40 minutes for Schengen flights and 50 minutes for non-Schengen flights.