FranceVisits and short stays

France airport transit visa

Airport transit visa (VTA, type A)

In short

Nationals of the countries on France's airport transit list, which combines the common EU list with France's own additions such as Türkiye, need an airport transit visa (VTA, type A) to change planes in the international zone of a French airport. It costs EUR 90, is prepared on France-Visas and lodged at the French consulate or its visa centre in your country of residence, and never allows you to leave the transit zone. Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit, and of certain US, Canadian, Japanese and other listed visas or permits, are exempt.

Apply on France-Visas (official visa portal) checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
International transit zone only, no entry into France.
Fee
€90Standard adult fee (Schengen scale); EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12, free under 6. Where an external provider receives the file it adds a service fee of up to EUR 45.
Processing time
Normally 15 days from lodging, up to 45 days when the file needs closer examination; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
Where to apply
France-Visas online, then the French consulate or its visa application centre (run by a provider such as TLScontact or VFS Global) in your country of residence.

Who needs it

France-Visas lists who needs a VTA for a French airport: holders of ordinary, service or special passports of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia and Sri Lanka; holders of ordinary passports of Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guinea, Haiti, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, the Philippines (seafarers excepted), Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Togo, Türkiye and Uzbekistan; Russian nationals arriving from an airport in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye or Ukraine; and holders of Palestinian refugee travel documents.

The rule applies even when you never pass passport control, for example on a journey between two non-Schengen airports with a change of planes at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle. Türkiye was added to the French list on 3 July 2022.

The requirement is French. Other Schengen states keep their own national transit lists, so a connection in Frankfurt or Amsterdam is checked against that country’s rules.

Exemptions

You do not need a VTA if you hold a diplomatic passport; a valid Schengen visa, national long-stay visa or residence permit of a Schengen state; a residence permit of an EU or EEA state; a residence permit of Monaco, Andorra, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States or San Marino that guarantees an unconditional right of return; or a valid visa for an EU or EEA state, Canada, the United States or Japan. Family members of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and aircrew of a state party to the Chicago Convention are also exempt. The France-Visas wizard confirms whether your document qualifies.

Fee and timing

The VTA costs the same as a Schengen visa: EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12, plus, where an external provider receives the file, a service fee of up to EUR 45. You can lodge the application no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before the journey. The consulate normally decides within 15 days; this can be extended to 45 days when it needs more checks or documents.

If the VTA is refused

A refusal is notified in writing with the reasons and explains how to challenge it. You may also lodge a new application with a complete file, for example if the onward ticket or the destination visa was missing.

Changing airports or staying overnight

A VTA never lets you leave the international zone. Landing at Orly and departing from Roissy, collecting checked baggage to re-check it, or spending the night in a hotel outside the airport all count as entering France and require a Schengen visa instead.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • France-Visas form and receipt, signed, with passport and ICAO photo
  • Proof of legal residence in the country where you apply (a residence permit if you are not a national of that country)

Travel

  • Confirmed onward flight ticket from the same French airport

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Identity

  • Valid Schengen, US, Canadian or Japanese visa or permit if you claim an exemption

Travel

  • Visa for the final destination if that country requires one

How to apply, step by step

  1. Run the France-Visas wizard with "airport transit" as the purpose to confirm that no exemption applies, then create your application on france-visas.gouv.fr.
  2. Print the completed form and the receipt with its barcode, and sign the form.
  3. Book an appointment with the French consulate or its visa application centre in your country of residence, between six months and 15 days before the trip.
  4. Attend in person with originals and copies; fingerprints are taken and the visa fee and any service fee collected.
  5. The French consulate decides, usually within 15 days and up to 45 days in individual cases; the service provider never takes the decision.
  6. Collect your passport and check that the visa is type A and covers your travel dates.

Frequently asked questions

I have a valid US visa. Do I need a VTA?

Certain US visas and permits exempt you; the France-Visas wizard lists the exact categories.

Can I leave the airport during a long layover?

Not with a VTA. Leaving the international zone, even for a few hours, requires a Schengen visa.

My flights use Orly and Roissy. Is a VTA enough?

No. Moving between two Paris airports means entering France, so you need a Schengen visa.

Does the French VTA rule apply to a connection in Germany?

No. It covers French airports only; Germany and other Schengen states apply their own transit lists.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for France

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: VLS-TS from four months to one year; then a one-year card, followed by a multi-year card for the rest of the degree.
  • Researcher visa Validity: Length of the hosting agreement, up to four years.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Company internship: six months initially; continuing training: 12 months, renewable once up to 18 months.

Work

  • Work visa Validity: First year on the VLS-TS; then a four-year multi-year card for permanent employees still in the job, or a card matching the fixed-term contract.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Length of the contract, up to four years.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Contracts of two years or more: length of the contract up to four years; shorter contracts: contract plus three months, up to two years.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the assignment, up to three years, minus time already spent on the visa; not renewable.

Family

  • Family reunification visa Processing time: The mayor checks resources and housing within two months; the prefect decides within six months of the complete file reaching OFII (silence means refusal).
  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: VLS-TS valid one year; then a multi-year card of two to four years.

Residence

  • Retirement visa Validity: VLS-TS for the first year, then a renewable one-year card.
  • Permanent residence Validity: 10 years, renewable. The EU card lapses after more than three consecutive years outside the EU or six years outside France; the ordinary resident card after more than three consecutive years outside France.

Protection

France visa guide