Agents, beware of Schengen rules!

Travel agents and their customers are advised to read the ‘fine print’ when applying for Schengen visas, as these terms and conditions can be confusing.

eTNW recently heard from an agent, who would prefer to stay anonymous, whose clients were deported while they were travelling to their final destination, outside the Schengen area, via two airports, CDG and AMS. The clients, who were travelling on South African passports, had all the necessary documentation for their final destination, including a return air ticket, accommodation, visa and sufficient funds.

However, the clients were denied boarding as they transited through two different European airports and therefore needed a short-stay visa. “We checked the rules just to be sure, however nowhere on Travelinfo or on the embassy websites did it stipulate the number of hours the passengers were allowed to spend in transit, nor did it say the passengers couldn’t be in transit at two International Schengen airports en-route to a third country.”

Paul Cabane, associate director of Capago, explains that because both AMS and CDG are in the Schengen area, to move between these airports travellers have to exit the international transit area and enter a domestic Schengen area. As a result, they need a Schengen visa, even if they don’t leave the airports. He adds: “If South African travellers are transiting in the same airport without leaving the international area, they don't need a transit visa.”

Agents should also be aware that travellers are not allowed to stay for an unlimited time in the transit area of the airport. A spokesperson for the Netherlands Embassy explains: “A person is allowed to stay in the transit area of a Schengen airport for a maximum of 24 hours.”