France Scraps Airport Transit Visa for Indian Travelers

Indian nationals will no longer need an airport transit visa when passing through French airports, the Embassy of France in India said, confirming the implementation of a measure aimed at easing travel between the two countries.

The decision follows an announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to India in February, when he indicated that steps would be taken to simplify travel procedures for Indian citizens.

In a statement, the Embassy of France in India said a decree amending France’s 2010 visa regulations was adopted and published in the official gazette on April 9. Under the revised rules, effective April 10, Indian nationals holding ordinary passports are exempt from the requirement to obtain an airport transit visa when transiting through the international zones of French airports en route to a third country.

The exemption applies only to passengers who remain within the international transit area during their layover and do not enter French territory.

The move is expected to ease travel for Indian passengers using French hubs, particularly Paris Charles de Gaulle, for onward journeys to Europe, North America and beyond.

The embassy said the change reflects France’s broader effort to facilitate mobility and strengthen people-to-people ties with India.

Visa applications for entry into France from India will continue to be processed through French consulates in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata and Bengaluru, as well as the embassy in New Delhi. Short-stay visa applicants are required to apply at least five days prior to departure, while long-stay visa applications must be submitted at least one month in advance.

Visa fees remain payable in Indian rupees, based on euro rates set by French authorities, and are non-refundable even in the event of refusal. Applications are handled through authorized centers operated by VFS Global across India.

Officials said the removal of the transit visa requirement is likely to streamline travel logistics and reduce administrative hurdles for Indian travelers using France as a transit corridor.

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