Key Takeaways
• Certain nationalities require a French Airport Transit Visa (Type A) to transit through France without entering the Schengen Area.
• The visa is valid for up to 24 hours in the airport’s international zone; leaving this area is not permitted.
• A decision takes up to 15 days, costs €90 for adults, and requires a completed application, photos, travel documents, and proof of onward travel.
Traveling through France 🇫🇷 for a layover on your way to another country can seem simple, but if you come from certain countries, you may need a special visa just to change planes: the French Airport Transit Visa (Visa de transit aéroportuaire – Type A), often called the ATV. This guide explains every part of getting a French Airport Transit Visa, including who needs it, what rules to follow, what documents are required, how long it takes, the costs, how long it lasts, and, step by step, how to apply. Whether you are a traveler, a student, a businessperson, or a family member planning a trip, these steps will help you avoid surprises—and problems—during your journey through the Schengen Area.
Who Needs a French Airport Transit Visa?
A French Airport Transit Visa is meant for people who have to travel through the international zone of a French airport, on their way from one country outside the Schengen Area to another country that is also outside the Schengen Area. Simply put, this visa is required if:
- You will arrive from outside the Schengen Area and your next stop, after France 🇫🇷, is also outside the Schengen Area.
- You will not leave the airport’s international zone. That means: you will not enter France 🇫🇷, pass through French immigration control, or spend time in the country outside the restricted airport area.
Countries That Need an Airport Transit Visa
Not everyone needs a French Airport Transit Visa—most travelers never need one. But if you are a passport holder from certain countries, France 🇫🇷 makes this visa mandatory. People from these places, for example, must almost always apply for a French Airport Transit Visa:
- Afghanistan 🇦🇫
- Bangladesh 🇧🇩
- Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩
- Eritrea 🇪🇷
- Ethiopia 🇪🇹
- Ghana 🇬🇭
- Iran 🇮🇷
- Iraq 🇮🇶
- Nigeria 🇳🇬
- Pakistan 🇵🇰
- Somalia 🇸🇴
- Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
Holders of ordinary passports from some other countries (like Angola 🇦🇴, Cameroon 🇨🇲, India 🇮🇳 (except seafarers), Russia 🇷🇺, Syria 🇸🇾, and more) may also be required to have the French Airport Transit Visa, depending on their route and travel history.
Important: The exact list can change. Always check the official France Visas website for updates before you plan your trip.
Exemptions: Who Does NOT Need a French Airport Transit Visa?
Some travelers are exempt and do not need the French Airport Transit Visa, even if they are from the countries above. You do NOT need this visa if:
- You have a valid visa or residence permit from an EU or EEA country, the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, Japan 🇯🇵, or similar places.
- You are a family member of an EU or EEA citizen (like a spouse or child).
- You work as aircrew and your country has special agreements with France 🇫🇷.
Make sure to bring clear proof of your exemption (like the valid visa or residence permit) when you travel.
Types of French Airport Transit Visas
Depending on your travel needs, there are different kinds of French Airport Transit Visas:
- One-way ATV: For travelers with a single transit through one Schengen Area country (like just Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport).
- Return ATV: For travelers who will pass through one or two Schengen Area airports on both their outgoing and return journeys.
- Multiple ATV: For those who need to transit through one or more Schengen Area airports several times over a set period.
Remember: No matter which type you have, the French Airport Transit Visa only lets you stay in the international zone. You are not allowed to enter France 🇫🇷 or any part of the Schengen Area with this visa. If your flight plan changes and requires you to leave the international zone—for example, to change airports or if there is an overnight stop—you must apply for a regular short-stay Schengen visa (Type C).
French Airport Transit Visa – Required Documents
Careful attention to your paperwork gives you the best chance for a quick approval. You’ll need:
- A valid passport or travel document: It must be less than 10 years old, have at least two blank pages, and remain valid for at least three months after you plan to leave France 🇫🇷.
- Completed Schengen short-stay visa application form for “Type A” airport transit. You can find this on the France Visas website.
- Two recent, biometric passport photos, taken against a white background.
- Visa or residence permit for your final destination: If your trip is onward to another country, bring a proof (and a copy) of your entry visa, or residence card, allowing you to travel to that destination.
- A confirmed, onward airline ticket showing your next flight (must be within 24 hours of arrival in France 🇫🇷).
- Cover letter explaining your journey, with a clear purpose and final destination. If you’re traveling for work, include a signed and stamped letter from your employer, plus your trip’s plan.
- Photocopy of your national identity card (if required by your country), and proof you live legally in your country of residence.
- Parental authorization (for minors traveling alone).
You may need to show proof that you will not have a layover in another Schengen Area country or city while traveling through France 🇫🇷. Always double-check with your local French embassy or consulate.
Processing Time
Applying for the French Airport Transit Visa involves waiting as your application is reviewed. The time usually needed is:
- Up to 15 calendar days from when you submit all the correct documents.
Note: The waiting time can be longer if the embassy is very busy, if they need to check extra facts, or if you are asked for more information.
- Tip: Apply as early as you can, but no more than six months before your travel date.
Fees
The cost of the French Airport Transit Visa can be different depending on who is applying:
- Standard adult: €90
- Children ages 6 to 12: €45
- People with biometric passports from some countries (like Albania 🇦🇱, Armenia 🇦🇲, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿, Belarus 🇧🇾, Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇦, Georgia 🇬🇪, North Macedonia 🇲🇰, Moldova 🇲🇩, Montenegro 🇲🇪, and Ukraine 🇺🇦 – for non-biometric passports only): €35
Children under six years old, and certain close family members (such as spouses or minor children of EU/EEA nationals), are not charged a fee.
Note: Some embassies and visa centers only accept local money and may charge small extra fees for doing the paperwork. Always confirm the total cost at your location.
Validity and Rules
Getting a French Airport Transit Visa does not mean you can visit France 🇫🇷—it strictly limits where you can go:
- Time allowed: You can stay in the international zone of the airport for up to 24 hours only. That means you must catch your next flight on the same day or early the next day.
- Where allowed: You cannot leave the international zone. This means you cannot pass through passport control, collect luggage, or explore France 🇫🇷 or other Schengen Area countries.
- No overnight outside: If your connecting flight is the next day and requires leaving the airport’s secure area to sleep somewhere, this visa will not allow it.
If your travel plan requires changing airports, a long wait that needs leaving the airport, or you want to visit France 🇫🇷 even briefly, you must apply for a short-stay Type C Schengen visa.
How to Apply for the French Airport Transit Visa
The process is quite direct if you follow each step in order. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Prepare All Required Documents
Gather every needed document, double-check for validity, and make sure each one is clear and up-to-date.
Checklist:
– Passport with at least two blank pages
– Application form (Type A) completed and signed
– Two biometric passport photos
– Visa or residence permit for your final destination (+ copy)
– Proof of onward flight within 24 hours
– Cover letter and, if needed, employer’s letter
– Proof of legal residence, ID card, parental consent (for minors)
Tip: Missing documents cause delays or outright rejection.
2. Complete the Application Form
Fill out the official “short-stay” visa application form for transit (Type A). You can do this online through the France Visas portal, or on a paper form collected from your local French consulate or embassy.
Caution: Always use the latest form found on the official website.
3. Schedule an Appointment
Book an appointment with the French consulate or the Visa Application Center in your area. Each French diplomatic office may have its own rules for accepting applications.
- Arrive a little early on the day of your appointment.
- Bring every document, as well as printed copies.
4. Submit Your Application in Person
Hand in your paperwork and allow time for fingerprints and a short interview. Be ready to answer questions about your trip and show your clear, onward flight reservation.
- Pay the fee at this time.
- The Visa center or consulate might keep your passport during the decision phase.
5. Track Your Application
After submitting your file, you should wait up to 15 days for a decision. In rare cases, it can take longer if the embassy needs extra checks.
- Watch for email or phone updates from the embassy or Visa center.
- Don’t book your exact flights until the embassy tells you it is safe to do so, unless they clearly say otherwise.
6. Collect Your Decision
Pick up your passport at the center when told, or have it delivered if this service is available. See if the visa stamp is in your passport, and check the details (name, date, and airport) very carefully.
7. Transiting France 🇫🇷: What Happens at the Airport
When you arrive in France 🇫🇷, you must:
- Stay in the airport’s international zone.
- Have all your original documents ready in case the French border police or customs officers ask for them.
- Not leave the restricted area until you board your next flight.
If you leave the area (even by mistake) without the proper visa, you may be denied entry and sent back.
What to Expect After Completing All Steps
Once you are cleared for transit with your French Airport Transit Visa:
- You can wait in the airport’s international, or “sterile,” area until you board your onward flight.
- You cannot enter France 🇫🇷 or any other Schengen Area country, no matter what.
- Your time inside the international zone must be less than 24 hours.
If, for any reason, your application is denied, you have the right to ask why or appeal the decision—details for this are explained by the consulate.
Extra Resources and Help
- For the latest requirements and more information, always check the official France Visas website.
- If unsure, contact the French consulate serving your home country.
- For travelers with connecting flights in France 🇫🇷 and other Schengen Area countries, check with your airline to confirm transit rules.
According to VisaVerge.com, careful preparation of your application and closely following updated guidance on official channels can greatly improve chances of a smooth journey.
Recap: Your Complete French Airport Transit Visa Checklist
Before You Apply:
– Are you from a country needing the visa?
– Do you have all the listed documents?
– Will you only be in the international zone and not enter France 🇫🇷?
Application Steps:
– Gather all documents
– Complete official Type A visa application
– Book appointment
– Submit in person; pay fees; give biometric data
– Wait up to 15 days
– Collect your passport and carefully check your visa
Always keep in mind fee changes, updated document lists, and flight changes—double-check all information before each trip.
Travel rules can change quickly. Being prepared can save you stress and stop you from missing your flight or even being sent back from the border. For more details about Schengen Area airport transits, you can always check the official France Visas website, which also contains information on biometrics, current rules, acceptable documents, and online forms.
Planning well, sticking to clear steps, and knowing the limits of your French Airport Transit Visa will help make your journey through the Schengen Area safe and simple.
Learn Today
French Airport Transit Visa (ATV) → A visa allowing travelers from select countries to transit through a French airport’s international zone without entering France or Schengen.
International zone → A restricted area within an airport where travelers remain while awaiting connections without passing through passport control or entering the country.
Schengen Area → A group of European countries with open borders, allowing free movement without routine border checks between member nations.
Type C Schengen Visa → A short-stay visa permitting entry into the Schengen Area’s territory for tourism, business, or family visits, up to 90 days.
Biometric passport → A passport with an embedded microchip storing biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial recognition for security and identification.
This Article in a Nutshell
A French Airport Transit Visa (ATV) is essential for travelers from certain countries who change planes in France without entering the Schengen Area. The ATV restricts holders to the airport’s international zone for up to 24 hours and requires strict documentation, proper application, and payment of fees. Preparation avoids denied entry.
— By VisaVerge.com
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