Indian travellers no longer require airport transit visa for France layovers, easing travel rules
PTC News Desk: In a significant development that would further ease travel norms, France has removed the airport transit visa for the Indian nationals passing through its airports.
Indian passport holders travelling to a third country via France will no longer require an airport transit visa, as long as they remain within the airport’s international transit zone and do not enter French territory, the French embassy said on Thursday. The move is intended to make travel easier for Indian passengers using French airports as transit points.
The change was introduced through a decree revising earlier visa regulations related to the entry of foreign nationals into France. The updated rules were published in the Official Gazette on April 9 and came into effect the following day.
India welcomed the decision, noting that it aligns with discussions held between the two countries earlier this year. The Ministry of External Affairs said it “welcomes the announcement of visa-free transit of Indian nationals in French airports,” adding that the move had been agreed upon during a meeting between the two sides’ leaders in February. It also clarified that Indian travellers passing through mainland France will no longer need a transit visa.
The relaxation removes an extra layer of paperwork for Indian passengers, who previously had to obtain an airport transit visa even for brief layovers without leaving the airport.
However, travellers will still need a valid visa if they intend to exit the airport or stay in France. The move is part of France’s broader efforts to strengthen travel and people-to-people ties with India.
- With inputs from agencies
