A French Transit Visa is an airport visa used for transition flights to another country, through a French airport. This type of visa falls under the category of short-term validity visas, as it is only valid for a 24-hour period. If a transit visa is needed it all depends on the nationality of the candidate and their current visa possessions.
There are three main types of French transit visas (according to the reason for entering):
- airport transit visa ‘A visa’
- seafarer’s transit visa
- air companies’ staff members visa
This article will go through the entire application process and all requirements needed for a French transit visa.
France Airport Transit Visa Application Process
Airport transit visas, in general, were designed for foreign travellers who have to land at a French airport in order to change flights and reach their final destination. As a result, transit visas are always short-term and they enable the traveller to stay at French airport for a period of a maximum of 24 hours.
The A-visa does not take into consideration foreigners who have to exit the airport transit area when changing their flight for a trip into a non-Schengen country. In this situation, it is advised to get a Schengen regular short-stay visa for France.
Who needs a French Airport Transit Visa?
The following list, are the only categories of foreign nationals that need to get an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to be able to transit through a French airport:
- Afganistan
- Chad
- Congo
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Bangladesh
- Cuba
- Haiti
- Ethiopia
- Dominican Republic
- Eritrea
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Ivory Coast
- Iran
- Iraq
- Palestine
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Senegal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- South Sudan
- Philippines
- Syria
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sierra Leone
- Rusia
France Airport Transit Visa Exemptions
Although the above-mentioned list requires a French Transit Visa, there are few exemptions that are exempt from needing a visa at all. These exemptions include:
- airline staff members who are nationals of a state party to the Chicago Convention
- residence permit holders (issued by EU or European Economic Space – EES)
- residence permit holders (issued by Principality of Andorra, Canada, the US, Monaco, Republic of San Marino or Japan that offer an unrestricted right of return
- family members of citizens from EU, EES, or Switzerland
- Schengen visa holders for EU, EES, Canada, Japan or the US
- visa holders with visas that are valid for EU, EEs, Canada, Japan or the US
In contrast, an airport transit visa does not apply if a traveller is picking up bags, checking in again, is transiting through more than one Schengen airport (for instance London-Frankfurt-Paris), or if the traveller holds an open ticket. In these situations, a French visitor visa needs to be obtained instead of a transit visa.
Required Documents for a French Airport Transit Visa
Standard document file required for a French Transit must consist of:
- valid passport (with two empty pages for stamping purposes)
- photocopy of passport information page
- completed short-stay visa application form (found online)
- two visa photos
- flight tickets for both ways
And additionally:
- if travelling for work: official cover letter from employer stating that travelling is work-related
- if travelling for private issues: a cover letter stating the purpose for travel
Requirements for Seafarers
- A cover letter (explaining purpose of travel) & document proving the purpose (such as a letter of invitation, work contract, a letter from shipping company hiring the candidate, valid seafarer certificate)
- A document confirming the right for entry to a final destination (if appropriate)
- A valid visa or residence permit – issued by the country of final destination
- Any previous visas candidate held in last 3 years (Schengen visa, US visa etc)
- Medical examination document/certificate
Requirements for Airline Staff Members
This excludes pilots and takes into consideration staff crew that will land in France and remain in-country until the next flight:
- Employee contract between candidate and airline company
- Staff member ID
- An official letter from the airline company
Quick Guide to French Visa Photo Requirements
As for any other type of visa applicant must provide a copy of the visa photo. Before taking your photo, make sure you familiarize yourself with the current requirements so the photo is guaranteed to be accepted. First, let’s look at photo specifications.
French visa photo must:
- measure: 35×45 mm
- be in colour
- have a white background
- be recent (no older than 6 months)
- and be printed on a high-quality paper or have required resolution in digital format (a minimum 600 x 600 pixels or a maximum of 1200 x 1200 pixels)
For the candidate, photo rules are as follows:
- keep a neutral facial expression (no smiling)
- remove all headwear
- to wear glasses you need a prescription
- stand straight and keep a straight posture
- have your eyes open and mouth closed
French Airport Transit Visa Fee
The general fee for a French transit visa is 80 euros. Payment is made after the application is submitted and supporting documents are provided. This fee is non-refundable no matter the outcome of the application.
