Visa to get out of the airport during a 12-hour layover in Amsterdam

Visa to get out of the airport during a 12-hour layover in Amsterdam - Architectural of Silver and Black Building

I'm a permanent resident of Canada, and I have my Egyptian passport. I'm going to Cairo by KLM, I will stay for more than 12 hours in the airport, and I would like to go out for a quick trip in downtown Amsterdam. I tried to book an appointment here in Canada for a visa, but the nearest one is after my flight! Is there any way I can get out and come back, such as getting a visa for a short stay from the airport – is that possible?



Best Answer

As you probably know, as an Egyptian citizen, you can transit without visa if you stay in the international arrival lounge. However, it will not be possible to leave the airport without Schengen visa and you will not be able to apply for such a visa at the airport.




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Can you leave the airport during a 12 hour layover?

Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover, provided your passport allows you visa-free entry to the country you're in and you have enough time between flights. In fact, some people intentionally book flights with longer layovers (which are often cheaper) so they get to see a new city.

Can you leave the airport in Amsterdam during a layover?

These factors may cut into your layover time. So considering all of this if you are left with 5 hours or more you can definitely leave the Amsterdam Airport. If you have 4 hours, you can leave but you will not be able to see as much. Under 4 hours I would not recommend leaving the airport, unfortunately.

Do I need a visa to leave the airport in Amsterdam?

If you are transiting through two different Schengen airports for onward travel to a country outside Schengen and the first transit airport is in the Netherlands, you need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa. Airport transit visas are not valid for this purpose.

Do I need a transit visa for a layover in Amsterdam?

You have a stopover at an airport in the Netherlands, during a journey from or to a destination outside of the Schengen Area. In some cases, you will need an airport transit visa (type A visa). A transit visa only allows you to change planes to a destination outside of the Schengen Area.



How to Leave Amsterdam Airport During a Long Layover | Train Transit \u0026 Luggage Storage




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