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Visa A — Airport Transit Visa (Type A)

Tourist Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 2 months

Estimated Cost

EUR €90

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

24 hours

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Airport transit visa for nationals of 13 countries, limiting stay to 24 hours within Schengen airport transit zone.

The Type A Airport Transit Visa authorizes nationals of specific countries to pass through Schengen airport international transit zones while traveling to non-Schengen destinations. Citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, and Syria require this visa for Austrian airport transits without entering Schengen territory.

The visa permits 24-hour transits with a EUR 90 fee. Processing typically takes 15 calendar days; additional security checks may extend this to 45 days. Applicants must provide valid entry authorization for their final destination and an onward flight confirmation within 24 hours. Spouses do not gain work authorization.

This visa is ideal for citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan making connections through Austrian airports to non-Schengen destinations.

Eligible Nationalities (13)

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Congo - Kinshasa Eritrea

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Ghana

Iran

Iraq

Nigeria

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

Somalia

Syria

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country subject to the airport transit visa requirement (e.g., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria).

Must remain within the international transit zone of the airport.

Must possess a valid visa or residence permit for the final destination country outside the Schengen Area.

Must have a confirmed onward flight ticket for the same day or within 24 hours.

Must not leave the international transit area (if leaving the area is required, a Type C Schengen visa is needed instead).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Visa application form

Invitation letter

Business documents

Travel insurance

Proof of employment

Financial proof

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

EUR 80 application fee — the lowest-cost Schengen visa option for qualifying nationalities
Minimal processing time of 5–15 calendar days enables urgent last-minute transit arrangements
24-hour window covers quick airport connections without entering Schengen territory
Dependents can travel together at the same fee — families permitted for airport transit
No language requirements or education credentials needed for qualification

Worth Knowing

Processing requires 5–15 calendar days; applications should be submitted in advance of planned travel
Strict confinement to airport zone; leaving area requires Type C Schengen visa instead
Non-renewable visa; separate application required for each future transit
Requires confirmed onward flight within 24 hours; flight changes may require reapplication
Only nationals of 13 specific countries qualifying; excludes most international travelers
Requires confirmed onward flight within 24 hours or Type C Schengen visa required instead

Application Process

Prepare business documentation: Gather invitation letter and business documents

Book appointment: Schedule visa appointment at Austrian embassy/consulate

Submit application: Submit in person with documents and fee

Biometric processing: Provide fingerprints and photograph

Receive visa: Typically 2-4 weeks processing

Application Forms

Schengen Visa Application

—

Verified Claims (5)

Last verified Jun 26, 2026

Fee Breakdown

Application fee: 90 EUR

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

Included Nationalities

AF; BD; CD; ER; ET; GH; IR; IQ; NG; PK; LK; SO; SY

bmeia.gv.at

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":15,"maxDays":45}

bmeia.gv.at

Processing Time

Up to 15 calendar days (standard); up to 45 calendar days if additional checks are required

bmeia.gv.at

Spouse Can Work

bmeia.gv.at

Official Information

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Overview

Airport transit visa for nationals of 13 countries, limiting stay to 24 hours within Schengen airport transit zone.

This visa is ideal for citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan making connections through Austrian airports to non-Schengen destinations.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must remain within the international transit zone of the airport.

Must possess a valid visa or residence permit for the final destination country outside the Schengen Area.

Must have a confirmed onward flight ticket for the same day or within 24 hours.

Must not leave the international transit area (if leaving the area is required, a Type C Schengen visa is needed instead).

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photos

Visa application form

Invitation letter

Business documents

Travel insurance

Proof of employment

Financial proof

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

EUR 80 application fee — the lowest-cost Schengen visa option for qualifying nationalities
Minimal processing time of 5–15 calendar days enables urgent last-minute transit arrangements
24-hour window covers quick airport connections without entering Schengen territory
Dependents can travel together at the same fee — families permitted for airport transit
No language requirements or education credentials needed for qualification

Worth Knowing

Processing requires 5–15 calendar days; applications should be submitted in advance of planned travel
Strict confinement to airport zone; leaving area requires Type C Schengen visa instead
Non-renewable visa; separate application required for each future transit
Requires confirmed onward flight within 24 hours; flight changes may require reapplication
Only nationals of 13 specific countries qualifying; excludes most international travelers
Requires confirmed onward flight within 24 hours or Type C Schengen visa required instead