India Welcomes Visa-Free Transit For Indians Through French Airports
New Delhi : As India and France continue to strengthen their bilateral relations, New Delhi on Thursday welcomed the introduction of visa-free transit facility for Indian citizens transiting through French airports.
Addressing the weekly press conference in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the discussion on removing the transit visa requirement for Indian passport holders was decided in a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai earlier this year.
“The French government has now implemented this agreement and Indian citizens transiting through mainland France only by air will no longer need a transit visa from April 10, 2026,” Jaiswal said.
The decision reflects the elevation of the enduring partnership between India and France to a special global strategic partnership during President Macron’s recent visit, further facilitating the movement of people and strengthening people-to-people ties.
In the official press release made by the French Embassy in India on the subject, it was stated: “Following President Macron’s statement, the decree amending the decision dated 10 May 2010 regarding the documents and visas required for foreigners to enter French territory was accepted and published in the Official Gazette (Journal Officiel) on 9 April 2026.”
It further said, “Consequently, with effect from 10 April 2026, ordinary passport-holding Indian citizens are no longer required to hold an airport transit visa when passing through the international zone of airports located on French territory.”
The statement stated that the measure applies to passengers staying in the international zone while waiting at the French airport on their way to a third country.
The Joint Statement during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in early February reflected this move.
In the Joint Statement shared by the MEA, it was emphasized that both leaders emphasized the importance of the India-France Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) and the Young Professional Program (YPS) to expand mutually beneficial skills and talent mobility between the countries.
“Both leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of skills development, vocational education and training, which will strengthen mobility opportunities for youth and professionals and strengthen people-to-people ties between India and France. In this spirit, the leaders welcomed the announcement on visa-free transit for Indian citizens through French airports, which will be reviewed after a six-month pilot period,” the statement said. (MOMENT)
