Transit Visa Explained: Do You Need a Visa for a Layover? (2026)

A transit visa lets you pass through a country without visiting it. Most people never need one because most big airports let you change planes in a closed international area. But some countries ask certain nationalities for a visa even for a short connection, and some airports have no closed transit area at all.

The airline checks your documents at check in for the whole route, not just the final country. If you lack a transit visa, you can be refused boarding at your first airport, even if your destination visa is perfect.

Two separate tickets often force you landside, because you must collect your bags and check in again. If you need a visa for that country, book one ticket with bags checked through.

The EU has a common list of countries whose citizens need an airport transit visa (ATV) to change planes at any Schengen airport, even airside: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka. The ATV does not let you leave the international transit area.

Each Schengen country can add more nationalities for its own airports. Spain, for example, asks citizens of Türkiye, Egypt, Kenya, Nepal, Senegal and others for an ATV at Spanish airports. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have their own extra list. So the same Turkish traveller may need an ATV in Madrid but not in Frankfurt.

Holders of certain valid visas and residence permits, such as a Schengen visa or some residence permits listed by each state, are exempt. Spanish consulates also say that if your bags are not checked through to the final destination, you need a full Schengen visa, not an ATV.

• United Kingdom: if you stay airside, some nationalities need a Direct Airside Transit visa. If you go through border control and leave within 48 hours, you need a Visitor in Transit visa. ETA holders and holders of a Standard Visitor visa need no transit visa, but ETA nationals need the ETA if they pass border control. Use the checker on gov.uk with your exact route.
• United States: the US does not run a transit without visa programme. Visa Waiver citizens need an ESTA; everyone else needs a C1 transit visa or another valid US visa, such as a B1/B2, even to change planes.
• Canada: visa exempt travellers flying through Canada need an eTA. Visa required travellers need a transit visa or a visitor visa unless a special transit programme covers them.
• New Zealand: every transit passenger needs an NZeTA or a transit visa. Only Auckland has a transit area, and you can stay there up to 24 hours without collecting bags.

• Pakistani citizens are on the common Schengen ATV list. A layover in Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam needs an ATV unless you hold an exempting visa or permit. A connection outside the Schengen area may be simpler, but check that country's transit rules too. See travel from Pakistan.
• Turkish citizens are not on the common list, but Spain asks them for an ATV. Check the rule of the exact transit country. See travel from Türkiye.
• Indian citizens are not on the common list, but some Schengen countries may still ask for an ATV. Check the consulate of the transit country. See travel from India.
• Azerbaijani and Russian citizens: not on the common ATV list, but a US connection still needs a US visa, and a UK connection may need a UK transit visa. See where Azerbaijanis can travel and travel from Russia.
• Changing planes in Baku? Read transit through Baku airport.

1. 1

   List every airport on the ticket

   Include technical stops and plane changes, not just the cities you see in the booking summary.

2. 2

   Check if bags go through

   Ask the airline whether your bags are checked through to the final city. If not, you will go landside.

3. 3

   Check the transit country's official site

   Look for an airport transit visa list or a transit page on the government site of that country.

4. 4

   Check your exemptions

   A valid US, UK, Schengen or other visa or residence permit can exempt you in some countries. Read the exact list.

5. 5

   Leave time to apply

   A Schengen ATV is applied for at a consulate, like a short stay visa. Plan weeks, not days.