France has removed the airport transit visa requirement for Indians with ordinary passports, effective from 10 April 2026.
This exemption is applicable to travelers who remain within the international zone of French airports while en route to a third country, thereby simplifying travel and lowering costs for long-haul connections.
This decision comes after President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment made in February 2026 during his visit to India and is regarded as a major improvement of bilateral relations.
On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that the French government has now implemented the visa-free transit policy for Indians transiting through French airports located in European territory.
The embassy indicated that this modification is part of France’s wider initiative to promote mobility and strengthen interpersonal connections with India.
Visa applications for entry into France from India will still be processed through French consulates located in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, in addition to the embassy in New Delhi.
Applicants for short-stay visas are required to submit their applications at least five days before their departure, while long-stay visa applications must be filed at least one month in advance.
Visa fees are to be paid in Indian rupees, calculated according to the euro rates established by French authorities, and are non-refundable even in cases of refusal. Applications are managed through authorised centers operated by VFS Global throughout India.
Officials have stated that the abolition of the transit visa requirement is expected to make travel logistics easier and reduce administrative challenges for Indian travelers using France as a transit route.
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