France Transit Visa in 2024

If you are transiting through a French airport and your final destination is outside the Schengen area, you may be subject to visa requirements. However, foreigners in transit through a French airport do not need visas as long as they do not leave the «international transit» area of the airport. Whether you need a visa to transit France will depend on your nationality, the type of visa you hold, plus the laws of the destination country.

Holders of a diplomatic passport are exempt from applying for a France Transit Visa. In addition, you also don’t need an ATV if you are a member of an airline crew, hold a Green Card, have a French re-entry permit, hold a valid residence permit issued by a member state of the European Union or the European Andorra, Japan, Canada, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, or the United States, hold a valid visa for a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, the United States of America, or Japan, are a family member of an EU national, or hold a valid Schengen Visa.

UK citizens do not need a visa to transit through France. However, they may need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) travel authorization for transit. This requirement is for travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the UK, and will be mandatory for transit through the Schengen area, which includes France, starting in 2023.

It’s important to stay updated on the latest travel news and requirements. Additionally, holders of a valid visa from an EU or EEA Member State, Canada, the US, or Japan, as well as those with a valid Schengen visa, national long-stay visa, or residence permit, are exempt from the Airport Transit Visa (ATV) requirement. Therefore, UK citizens should check the specific requirements based on their nationality and travel circumstances.

Nationals of certain countries need an airport transit visa to transit through a French airport without entering the country. The need for a transit visa depends on the traveler’s nationality and specific circumstances. For example, citizens of Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and several other countries are required to obtain an airport transit visa for France. However, holders of a valid Schengen visa, long-stay national visa, or residence permit issued by a Schengen state are exempt from this requirement.

US Green Card holders generally do not need an airport transit visa for France as long as they stay within the airport’s international zone. However, if they wish to travel to France for more than 90 days, they would need to obtain a Schengen visa regardless of their green card status. Therefore, for a transit through a French airport, a transit visa is not required, but for a stay of more than 90 days, a Schengen visa would be necessary.

If you are transiting through a French airport, whether you need a Schengen visa depends on your nationality and the type of visa you hold. According to the official France-Visas website, if you hold a valid short-stay Schengen visa, you do not require an airport transit visa for France. Additionally, holders of a valid visa for a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, the United States of America, or Japan are also exempt from needing an airport transit visa.

However, if you are a non-European transiting through France, you may need to apply for a visa beforehand, and an online service can help you determine if you need to apply for a visa.

If you are a national of a country that is party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation or an aircraft crew member, you do not require an airport transit visa for a layover in France. Foreigners in transit through a French airport also do not need visas as long as they do not leave the «international transit» area of the airport.

However, if you have to land at a French airport for stays not more than 24 hours and do not intend to leave the airport, you may need a France Airport Transit visa. It is important to note that if you have chosen a self-transfer option, you will need a full EU visa because you ’enter’ France as you have to pass through immigration.

If you are a citizen of a country that is party to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation or a citizen of a country that has a visa exemption for airport transit in France, you do not need an airport transit visa for a connecting flight in France.

However, if you are a citizen of a country that requires an airport transit visa for France, you will need to obtain one. It’s important to check the specific visa requirements based on your nationality and travel itinerary. Additionally, if you are not leaving the international transit area of the airport, you generally do not need a visa for the connecting flight.

To apply for a transit visa in France, you can do so through the French government’s official website or by visiting a French consulate in your country. The transit visa is required for individuals who need to transit through a French airport without entering the country. The application process typically involves submitting a completed visa application form, passport photos, a photocopy of your passport, and other supporting documents such as proof of the purpose of your travel and a valid visa for your final destination.

The processing time for an airport transit visa is usually around 15 days, but it can take longer during busy periods. If you have a French residence permit, you may not need an airport transit visa, depending on the type and validity of your permit.