Starting August 28, holders of Mauritanian passports must apply for transit visas to travel through Spanish airports. This decision was made to combat illegal migration of Mauritanians. Learn more about Schengen transit visas

Starting August 28, 2024, Mauritanian citizens will no longer be able to travel through Spanish airports without a transit visa. This innovation was introduced by the Spanish government as part of its efforts to tighten control over illegal migration from some African countries.

From now on, travelers with a Mauritanian passport will be required to obtain a transit visa to change planes in international airports in Spain. At the same time, these requirements do not apply to those who already have a Schengen visa, residence permit or any other document authorizing their stay in the Schengen area.

In our previous article, we mentioned that the Spanish region of Extremadura has allocated 2 million euros to attract digital nomads. 

Transit visas for citizens of African countries

On August 16, the Spanish government announced new rules on transit visas for citizens of several African countries, including the Central African Republic. These changes are aimed at preventing illegal migration from Africa and provide for mandatory transit visas for travelers from such countries:

1. Eritrea

2. Ethiopia

3. Ghana

4. Nigeria

5. Democratic Republic of the Congo

6. Somalia

This measure is temporary and can be canceled if the situation with illegal migration improves. However, such innovations have been criticized by Spanish immigration organizations that do not support the introduction of additional restrictions. They point out that such measures are often introduced in response to an increase in the number of asylum applications from citizens of countries experiencing conflicts or humanitarian crises, which in turn exacerbates the already difficult situation for migrants.

Combating illegal migration at the EU's external borders

According to the EU border agency Frontex, the number of cases of illegal crossing of the EU's external borders, including the Spanish borders, decreased by 40% in the first seven months of 2024. This reduction is due to a number of measures taken by the EU to combat illegal migration, which contributed to a decrease in the number of illegal border crossings.

The eastern land border and the West African route remain the most active, with the largest flow of migrants. The decline in activity on other routes is mainly due to preventive actions by the Tunisian and Libyan authorities aimed at combating human smuggling. Migrants from these two countries account for 95% of all recorded cases on the Central Mediterranean route.

However, the number of border crossings on the eastern land route increased by 195%, reaching 9,546 cases, and on the West African route by 154%, with a total of 21,620 violations. The Central Mediterranean route remains the most active, with 32,239 cases of illegal border crossing recorded in seven months.

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You will need health insurance to safely move and find employment in a new country. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

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What documents do I need to apply for a Schengen transit visa?

If you are traveling to a third country via EU states, you do not need to apply for a visa only if you have one stopover within the Schengen area. It is important to make sure that the chosen airport has an international transit area that will be available while you are waiting for your next flight. You can only stay in this zone, so unfortunately, you will not be able to go out and explore the city. In addition, the connection time between flights should not exceed 24 hours.

If your trip involves more than one stopover or you plan to travel between Schengen countries by car, you will need a Schengen transit visa. This visa allows you to travel between several Schengen countries, giving you up to 5 days for transit. It is issued at the consulate of the country through which you enter the Schengen area.

To obtain a transit visa, you need to provide proof that your stay in the Schengen area is really a transit. This may include airline and hotel reservations, as well as documents confirming your financial solvency during your stay in the country.

To apply for a transit visa, you need to prepare the following documents:

1. Visa application form. Fill it out through the e-konsulat system, print it out and sign it.

2. Photo. One color photo of 3.5 x 4.5 cm is required. It must be taken against a white background, clear and printed on high-quality paper. The photo must be taken within the last six months. Hats are not allowed.

3. Foreign passport. The passport must be issued no earlier than 10 years ago and be valid for at least three months after the date of the planned return. It must also have at least two blank pages for visa stamps.

4. A copy of the passport page. You must provide a copy of the passport page with your personal data and photo.

5. Medical insurance. The policy must be valid in all Schengen countries and have coverage of at least 30,000 euros.

6. Proof of residence. Provide a copy of the document confirming your residence in the consular district where you are applying.

7. Confirmation of further travel. This can be an airline ticket or a visa to the country of destination confirming your travel after leaving the transit zone.

When submitting visa applications for minors, you must additionally provide the following documents:

1. Notarized parental consent. A written consent of one or both parents is required to submit a visa application. If there is only one parent, this should be documented by submitting a birth certificate, a court decision establishing exclusive parental rights, or a death certificate of the other parent.

2. Parents' passports. Original and copies of both parents' passports must be submitted.

3. Birth certificate. You must also submit the original and a copy of the child's birth certificate.

If the child is inscribed in the passport of one of the parents or a legal guardian, a separate visa application for the child must be submitted. The visa will be pasted into the passport of this parent or guardian.

Attention:

- A visa application should be submitted to the diplomatic mission whose consular district includes your place of permanent residence.

- These documents are usually sufficient, but the consul may require additional documents.

- The consul may invite a person for an interview, but it is not obligatory.

- A type A visa does not allow you to leave the airport transit zone.

The application fee is 90 euros and is non-refundable, regardless of the decision. The consul has 15 calendar days to make a decision, but in some cases this period may be extended to 45 days.

We remind you! Spain has extended the Law on Democratic Memory, also known as the “Ley de Nietos”, which allows descendants of Spaniards expelled during the Francisco Franco regime to obtain Spanish citizenship. Read more about who is eligible for a passport and the procedure.

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Igor Usyk - Head of Legal Department at Visit World

To ensure a safe move to Spain, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration abroad.

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