Applying for an airport transit visa for the Netherlands in Ghana
If you live in Ghana and want an airport transit visa for the Netherlands, Austria, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland or Portugal, you can apply for one at VFS Global in Accra. See what rules apply and how to to submit your application.
Do I need an airport transit visa?
Whether you need an airport transit visa depends on a number of things, including your nationality.
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. 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?
You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before you travel. If you are a seafarer, you can apply for a visa 9 months before you travel. In most cases, you'll be informed within 45 days whether your application has been successful.
If you’ve applied for a visa for the Netherlands, you can track the status of your application online.
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).
I want to apply for a visa in this country or region
You can apply for a visa at VFS Global in Accra.
Find out what documents you need in order to apply for an airport transit visa in Ghana.
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 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.
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.
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 European citizens have become victims of this type of scamming.