The Indian government has announced that Indian nationals traveling through France by air will no longer require an airport transit visa (ATV). This change, effective since April 10, 2026, reflects the strengthened partnership between India and France.
According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the decision aims to facilitate smoother movement of people and enhance people-to-people ties between the two nations.
The airport transit visa was a short-term authorization allowing travelers to pass through a country's territory while en route to a final destination. However, Indian passport holders will no longer need to obtain this visa for layovers in France.
It's worth noting that if a person needs to pass through immigration control to change airports or stay overnight during a layover, a short-stay visa is still necessary.
