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I am an Indian Citizen planning to book my return flight from Oslo to New Delhi. Looking at different options for the connecting flight at Helsinki, there's one connection with a 21 hour layover at Helsinki (arriving at 10PM) and I figured I might take that option and explore the city a bit.

I am planning to apply for a Schengen Short term Visa (C type) with the Norwegian Embassy (where the entirety of my travel is going to be in, except for the return flight when I'm planning to do this).

The application for a Schengen Visa requires that I submit all documents (flight, hotel reservations etc.) and a cover letter detailing my plans. I have everything covered for the Norway trip.

After some Googling, I figured there are a lot of good options to sleep directly in the airport. (https://www.sleepinginairports.net/guides/helsinki-vantaa-airport-guide.htm)

  1. Is this possible? Can I leave the airport while on a long transit stop?
  2. How do I state this plan in the cover letter for my Visa application and indicate that I plan to sleep in the airport (not booking a hotel)?
  3. Is my baggage going to be through-checked during the layover or do I have to collect it and check it again for the last leg?

EDIT:

Technically, I'm having a layover at HEL, but this time, it's a long one. Isn't it like any other layover then?

Reptilian
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1 Answers1

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Is this possible? Can I leave the airport while on a long transit stop?

Yes, It is possible to leave the airport as long as you have a valid Schengen visa.

How do I state this plan in the cover letter for my Visa application and indicate that I plan to sleep in the airport (not booking a hotel)?

You would definitely need a place to stay (at least for the application). Sleeping at the airport and writing in the cover letter is one option, however, I would suggest you book a hostel or airport hotel and supply that with your application as it is one of the prerequisites:

Documents indicating that the applicant possesses sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to his country of origin or residence

You need to fulfil the requirements to get the visa and one of the requirement (as mentioned above) is that you should be able to pay for your entire trip and that includes accommodation.

Is my baggage going to be through-checked during the layover or do I have to collect it and check it again for the last leg?

It will be checked through and you will get it in New Delhi.

Arpit Bajpai
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