The Airport Transit Visa (ATV) offered by the country of France is a short-stay type visa that is ideal for travellers who want to temporarily stay inside the international zone of any French airport while waiting for a connecting flight to a final destination.
The term “final destination” refers to a location that is situated outside of the Schengen Area. It should be known that the European territory of France is a part of the Schengen Area, which combines multiple European states to form a common space for the free movement of people.
Currently, the Schengen Area includes the member and non-member states of the European Union, which include: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
What are the Eligibility and Requirements?
As previously mentioned, if you are travelling from an airport that is located outside of the Schengen Area, and are waiting for a transfer flight to a third destination that is also located outside of the Schengen area, then you must require a French ATV while staying in the international zone of an airport located within metropolitan France or in a French overseas department, territory, or community.
Presently, there are three types of ATVs available to apply for: a one-way ATV that authorises one-way transit through a Schengen country; a return ATV that authorises return airport transit through one or two Schengen countries; and a multiple ATV that authorises several transits through one or more Schengen countries. It should be known that holders of ATVs will not be authorised to enter the Schengen Area. However, if you do wish to enter French territory, then you must hold a short-term valid Schengen visa.
According to the French visa authorities, you have to apply for an ATV if you hold any one of the following documents: an ordinary, service, or special passport issued by countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, or Sri Lanka; an ordinary passport issued by countries such as Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, India, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, or the Philippines; a service passport issued by the Republic of Guinea; or a travel document for Palestinian refugees (including issuance made by Lebanese, Egyptian, or Syrian authorities).
It should be known that the above-mentioned requirements do not apply to holders of diplomatic passports. Additionally, you will not need an ATV, if you satisfy one of the following set of requirements: an aircraft crew member or a national that is associated with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (except China); a holder of a valid residence permit issued by a member state of the European Economic Area or the European Union; a holder of a Schengen visa; and a family member of a national residing in Switzerland, the European Economic Area, or the European Union.
It also does not apply if you are a bearer of a residency permit guaranteeing the right of return issued by Monaco, the Principality of Andorra, Japan, Canada, the United States, the Republic of San Marino, or the Caribbean part of the Netherlands; or a bearer of a valid visa issued by a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area, Canada, the United States, Japan, or the Caribbean part of the Netherlands.
What is The Processing Time?
Usually, France Airport Transit Visas (ATVs) are processed within 15 days of application. However, the aforementioned period can also be extended up to 45 days in certain cases where a thorough examination of the visa application is justified.
Steps to Apply For France Airport Transit Visa Online
If you are planning to apply for a France ATV online, follow the below-mentioned steps judiciously.
- To start the visa application, head over to the official website here.
- On the landing page, click on “Access The Visa Application”.
- A new web page will open where you will have to either sign in to your account or create a new one, by providing your name and email address.
- After that, you have to start filling out the visa application. You will also need the following documents to submit your ATV application: 2 recent ID pictures in IECI/ISO format, the travel document (original and copy) in proper condition that was issued less than 10 years ago with at least two blank pages and is valid for at least three months, and the supporting documents (original and copy) based on your travel plan and situation.
- Once you have applied, you have to book an appointment with the visa application centre to have your application reviewed. These include presenting all the required documents in person, providing your biometrics, and paying the required fees. The maximum fee for a visa application is 40 euros.
- Finally, you can track the progress of your application here.
