Applying for an airport transit visa in the Philippines
If you live in the Philippines and want to apply for an airport transit visa for the Netherlands or Latvia, find out about the rules and how to apply.
Do I need an airport transit visa?
Whether you need an airport transit visa depends on a number of things, including your nationality.
Which documents do I need to apply for a visa?
- A completed and signed airport transit visa application form.
Fill out the airport transit visa application form - All the documents on the checklist.
See the checklist for applying for an airport transit visa
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).
Applying for a visa in this country or region
How can I make an appointment?
The applicant has the following options:
1. For a timely appointment, make an appointment with VFS Global.
2. Contact the VFS call center at +63 2 8528 2503, from Monday until Friday between 7:00 - 16:00 hours, except for public holidays.
Applications of official and diplomatic passport holders
For Philippine diplomatic and service passport holders, travelling to the Schengen area via Schiphol, Amsterdam, the following information is important:
In accordance with immigration regulations as stated in the Dutch Aliens Act, in general, it is required for travellers with Philippine passports to apply for a visa at the Netherlands embassy, prior to arrival at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands.
Consequently, Philippine travelers holding a diplomatic or service passport who benefit from the exemption of a Schengen visa (as agreed by Philippine authorities based on the principle of reciprocity with a number of Schengen states, i.e. Sweden; Switzerland; etc.) are therefore still required to have a valid Schengen visa at the moment of entrance in the Schengen area via Schiphol Amsterdam, The Netherlands, regardless of the fact that their final destination may grant visa exemption for such Philippine diplomatic or service passport holders.
Official and diplomatic passport holders can contact VFS by visiting their web page for Official and Diplomatic Passport holders.
Keep a copy of all your documents
A visa does not automatically give you the right to enter the Schengen territory. Make sure you keep a copy of the documents you submit with your visa application, as you may be asked by migration officers to provide this information in addition to your passport, visa and medical travel insurance.
Representation of Latvia
The Netherlands embassy represents Latvia, so if your destination is Latvia, you can also submit your short stay visa application at the VFS Global office.