Paris:India September 21, 2023, 11:55 IST France to do away with airport transit visas for Indian nationals from April 10: French Embassy France has scrapped the requirement for airport transit visas for Indian nationals, effective April 10, the French Embassy in India said on Thursday. Indian passport holders will not require transit visa while passing through the international zones of French airports during layovers while travelling to a third country.
During his recent visit to India, President Macron announced that from 10 April 2026, holders of ordinary Indian passports will no longer require an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) when transiting the international zone of any airport in France. The embassy said #ChooseFrance.”
This was after a decree amending the rules on entry documents and visa requirements for foreign nationals in 2010. The amended decree was promulgated and published in the official gazette on 9 April 2026.
Macron said he would make it easier for Indians to travel.In February, French President Emmanuel Macron said that steps would be taken to make it easier for Indians to travel through France.
An official press release from the French Embassy in India said, "During his recent visit to India in February 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that steps would be taken to make it easier for Indian citizens to travel through France." After President Macron's speech, a new law was passed that changed the one from May 10, 2010, about the documents and visas that foreigners need to enter France. It was published in the Official Gazette (Journal Officiel) on April 9, 2026.
It added that "As a result, Indian nationals who are holders of an ordinary passport will not need to be in possession of an airport transit visa when transiting through the international zone of airports situated on French territory with effect from 10 April 2026.
The measure applies to passengers in the international zone at a French airport on their way to a third country, during a layover, the statement said.
India appreciates the moveIndia was happy to hear that Indian citizens could now travel through French airports without needing a visa. At the weekly press briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the meeting between PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai earlier this year led to the agreement to talk about getting rid of the transit visa requirement for Indian passport holders.
Jaiswal said, "The French government has now put this agreement into action, and Indian citizens who are only flying through mainland France will no longer need a transit visa starting on April 10, 2026."
The decision shows that India and France have been friends for a long time. During President Macron's recent visit, the relationship was raised to the level of a special global strategic partnership. This will make it easier for people to move around and strengthen ties between people.
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