France Abolishes Airport Transit Visa Requirement for Indian Nationals
France officially lifts airport transit visa requirements for Indian nationals effective April 10, 2026. Following a decree published in the Journal Officiel and a bilateral agreement between PM Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron, Indian ordinary passport holders can now transit through French international airport zones to third countries without a transit visa.
The administrative overhaul follows the adoption of a formal decree amending the 2010 regulations governing the documentation and visas required for the entry of foreign nationals into French territory. This legal instrument was finalized and published in the French Official Gazette, the Journal Officiel, on April 9, 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs has formally welcomed the operationalization of this agreement, with MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noting that the removal of the transit visa requirement was a direct outcome of high-level diplomacy between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron during their bilateral meeting in Mumbai in February of this year.
This strategic measure specifically benefits Indian nationals transiting through mainland France exclusively by air, provided they remain within the international airport zone without entering French territory. President Macron had previously signaled during his February visit to India that measures would be implemented to ease travel for Indian nationals via France. With the updated procedures already reflected on the France-Visas platform, this development stands as a significant realization of the commitment made by the two leaders to foster seamless global mobility and strengthen the foundational ties between the two nations.

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