France Transit Visa
If you are planning a trip with a layover in France, you might have to apply for a Transit Visa.
A correctly filled application is important to ensure a less uncertain process that might leave you having to change your travel plans. At Total Law, our immigration experts can help you avoid last-minute troubles and improve your chances of securing a France Transit Visa. Call us at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or use our online contact form.
What is a France Transit Visa?
A France Transit Visa permits travellers to only pass through the French airport en route to a third-country destination as holders cannot enter the French territory. Therefore, this type of visa is called the Airport Transit Visa (ATV).
ATV also applies to those who serve as an aircraft staff member or plan to join a ship in France (Seafarer’s Transit Visa). It falls within the Short-Stay Visa category and is valid for 24 hours.
There are three types of ATV :
- One-way ATV that allows a single transit through a Schengen country.
- Return ATV that permits a round-trip airport transit through one of two Schengen countries.
- Multiple ATV allow multiple transits through one or more Schengen countries.
Who Needs an Airport Transit Visa in France?
Overview
The France Transit Visa is designed for people who are not entering the French territory as a final destination but will travel via the French airport to catch a connecting flight to a different country. You will need an ATV if:
- You’re travelling from an airport located outside the Schengen area.
- You don’t hold an open ticket.
- You’ll be remaining in the international zone of an airport located in mainland France while waiting for your connection flight to a country located outside the Schengen area.
Schengen member states include Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Who Needs an A-type Airport Transit Visa To Enter France?
You should apply for an A France Transit Visa if you hold:
- An ordinary, service, or special passport issued by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, or Sri Lanka.
- An ordinary passport issued by Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo (Brazzaville), Egypt, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guinea (Conakry), Haiti, India, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Senegal, Sierra, Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Chad, Turkey, or Ukraine.
- A service passport issued by Guinea (Conakry).
- Travel documents for Palestinian refugees.
Who Can Transit to France Without an Airport Transit Visa?
Holders of a diplomatic passport are exempt from applying for a France Transit Visa. In addition, you also don’t need an ATV if you:
- Are a member of an airline crew
- Hold a Green Card
- Have a French re-entry permit
- Hold a valid residence permit issued by a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Andorra, Japan, Canada, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, or the United States.
- Hold a valid visa for a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, the United States of America, or Japan.
- Are a family member of an EU national
- Hold a valid Schengen Visa, a national Long-Stay Visa, or a residence permit issued by a country in the Schengen area.
How To Apply For a France Transit Visa?
The first step of the Transit France Visa application is gathering all the necessary documents. For an ATV, you will have need the following:
- Valid passport, residence permit, or travel document not older than ten years and recognised by the French authorities. (The expiry date of the passport should be a minimum of 3 months beyond the return date.)
- A correctly filled and signed Short-Stay Visa application form
- Two recent passport-sized photos
- Valid visa to the destination country
- Copy of confirmed round-trip air tickets
- Photocopy of the National Identity Card
- Supporting documents that prove the you won’t stop over in the Schengen countries.
- Cover letter explaining the reason for travelling to the destination country. If related to work, the cover letter should be signed by the employer.
- A list of family members or children living far from the home country of the candidate (if required)
- Parental authorisation or legal representative’s agreement to leave the territory (notarial act) for minors.
After gathering all the necessary documents, you can apply for airport transit to France through the French embassy’s online portal. Make sure all the information is entered correctly to prevent rejection.
It can take around 15 days to process a Transit France Visa and you are advised not to book travel arrangements until the visa is approved.
If you have questions about the France Transit Visa or need assistance, get in touch with our team at Total Law by calling +44 (0)333 305 9375.
France Transit Visa Fees
A Transit France Visa application costs €80, which should paid when submitting your documents. However, there are exemptions.
The fee for visa applicants and holders of a biometric passport from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine is €35.
How Total Law Can Help
At Total Law, we understand the intricacies of securing a France Transit Visa. Our experienced immigration lawyers possess immense, up-to-date knowledge of the French immigration system and the Transit Visa France requirements.
So, if you’re planning a trip with a layover in France, we can help you correctly fill out and submit your Transit France Visa application to minimise the chances of rejection. Call us today at 0333 305 9375 or contact us through our online chat.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
FAQ
A layover is a short stop (less than 24 hours) during a trip where the passengers remain in the airport, waiting for a connecting flight. Transit is when the passengers have to change aircraft in a foreign airport and go through immigration procedures.
No, a Transit Visa isn’t required for all layovers in a French airport. Whether you would need a visa to transit France will depend on your nationality, the type of visa you hold, plus the laws of the destination country.
The French embassy allows most applicants to complete and submit the application form and documents through their online portal. Those who prefer offline processing can find visa centres authorised by the French embassy in their respective countries.