France Ends Airside Transit Visa Requirement for Indian Nationals

Indian nationals transiting through mainland France exclusively by air will no longer need an airport transit visa, marking a significant travel facilitation step in India-France relations. The decision has been welcomed by India, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying France has now operationalised an understanding reached earlier this year between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the new arrangement took effect on April 10, 2026. He said Indian passport holders passing through mainland French airports solely for air transit will now be exempt from the transit visa requirement, easing travel for passengers using France as a connecting point to other international destinations.

The move is being seen as another practical outcome of the deepening India-France partnership, which both countries describe as a special global strategic partnership. By removing a procedural hurdle for Indian travellers, the change is expected to make international journeys smoother while also strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The announcement also carries broader diplomatic significance. It reflects a pattern in India-France ties where strategic cooperation is increasingly being matched by measures that deliver visible benefits to ordinary citizens, including easier mobility, stronger connectivity and more seamless engagement across borders.

For Indian travellers, the decision could make France a more convenient transit hub for onward flights to Europe, the Americas and other destinations. It also signals growing trust and coordination between New Delhi and Paris on issues that sit at the intersection of diplomacy, mobility and public convenience.

Sources:

https://www.newsonair.gov.in/indian-nationals-transiting-through-mainland-france-exclusively-by-air-will-no-longer-need-transit-visa-mea-spokesperson/
https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1912793484405166384