France Transit Visa Types and Application Processes

A French transit visa is a short-term Schengen visa issued, with a few exceptions, to people transiting through France on their way to another country. A transit visa is a permit issued to people who are not traveling to France, but who only need to enter French territory to change means of transportation on their way to another country.

Does France Require a Transit Visa?

Yes, France requires a transit visa. As of July 3, 2022, Turkish citizens who will use the international zone of French airports for transit to another country are subject to an airport transit visa.

Who Does Not Require a France Airport Transit Visa?

Persons who do not require a France airport transit visa are listed below.

Persons who have a uniform visa, long-term national visa or residence permit for a Schengen area country
Holders of valid travel documents issued by a European Union or European Economic Area country, Andorra, Canada, Japan, the Principality of Monaco, San Marino or the United States of America that guarantee readmission rights.
Holders of a valid visa for another European Union or European Economic Area country, Canada, Japan or the United States, or persons returning after using their visa
Family members of citizens of a European Union country, European Economic Area country or Switzerland
Persons holding a Turkish diplomatic or service passport
Flight crew members

What are the Application Requirements for a France Transit Airport Visa?

France transit airport visa application requirements are listed below.

All required documents on the checklist of the French embassy must be submitted completely.
You must have a passport that is valid for at least three months after your trip to France and was issued within the last ten years.
A valid travel health insurance must be obtained.
The application fee must be paid.
Sufficient funds must be available to finance the stay in France and the return to the country.
The applicant must not be banned from entering France or any of the Schengen countries.
Fingerprint registration must be provided during the application process.
Visa applications for minors under 18 years of age must be signed by a parent or other responsible person.

What are the Required Documents for France Transit Visa Application?

The documents required for a France transit visa application are listed below.

France transit visa application form: Must be completely filled out online, printed and signed.
Biometric photo: Two photographs complying with Schengen requirements, taken within the last three months, are required.
Passport: A valid passport that is not older than ten years and has at least two blank pages is required for the visa sticker to be affixed.
France travel insurance: Travel health insurance must be obtained with a coverage of at least 30,000 euros, valid for the entire duration of the trip and in all Schengen countries, and covering any medical emergency.
Visa fee receipt: Payment of the transit visa fee must be proven by submitting the receipt.
Travel documents: Documents regarding the applicant’s travel to the final destination must be declared.
Airline ticket: Airline ticket or reservation indicating onward travel to a third country is required.
Visa: If necessary, you must have the necessary visa to enter the country you will be traveling to via France.

Where to Apply for a Transit France Visa?

Transit France visa applications are made to VFS Global, which is the authorized visa application center for all France visa applications made from Turkey. Before the France transit visa application is made to VFS Global, the person must fill out the visa application form and pay the visa fee via https://france-visas.gouv.fr .

How to Apply for a France Transit Visa?

When applying for a France transit visa, the individual must first fill out the online application form at https://france-visas.gouv.fr with the correct information. After the visa application form is filled out, printed and the visa fee is paid, an appointment is made at a visa application center to obtain fingerprints and a photograph. The visa application form and the fully prepared visa documents are submitted in person during the appointment. Biometric information is recorded at the appointment and the VFS Global visa service fee is paid. After the appointment procedures, the application is completed and when the person’s passport is returned to the visa application center after the evaluation process, an email update and SMS notification is provided.

How to Apply for a France Transit Visa for Children?

The steps for applying for a France transit visa for children are the same as for adults, but additional documents are required.

Additional documents for a France transit visa for children are listed below.

Birth Certificate
France transit visa application form signed by parents
Certified copies of parents’ IDs and passports
If there is a divorce between the parents, a custody decision and a statement that the parent approves of the travel.
If traveling with a minor, both children require a notarized parental consent form to travel to France.

For those under the age of 18, French visa documents must be submitted completely and accurately to the visa application center at the time of application.

How Much Are France Transit Visa Fees?

The France transit visa fee is €80. For children over 6 and under 12, the France transit visa fee is €40. For countries with a visa facilitation agreement with the EU, the France transit visa fee is €35.

Who is exempt from France Transit Visa Fee?

Persons exempt from the France transit visa fee are listed below.

Child passengers under the age of six
Students, graduate students, and teachers traveling for an education
Third-country national researchers travelling for scientific research purposes
Representatives who will hold events for non-profit organizations
Persons who are family members of a citizen of a member state of the European Union or the European Economic Area

How Long Does It Take to Complete a France Transit Visa Application?

The result of the France transit visa application is finalized by the consulate where the application was made within 15 days. The France transit visa process may be extended at times depending on the workload of the Consulate visa department.

In What Cases Can a Transit France Visa Be Rejected?

Transit France visa applications may be rejected if the visa officer decides that the applicant is not eligible to receive the type of visa he/she has applied for, if the application is not completed completely, etc.

France transit visa rejection is most commonly given in cases where the applicant has a past or current criminal case, presents an invalid or damaged passport, cannot prove the purpose of travel, cannot submit a travel plan, petitions are not suitable, financial adequacy cannot be proven, has invalid travel insurance, does not have proof of accommodation or is not eligible for a visa. In transit visa applications, a France visa rejection decision can be given in cases where there is no ticket showing transportation to the country to be traveled to and no visa allowing entry to the country.

How to Appeal a France Transit Visa Rejection?

If the France transit visa application is rejected, an objection can be made. The consulate where the France transit visa application is made sends a standard form to the applicant and the reasons for the France transit visa application rejection are specified in this form sent by the consulate. At the same time, the valid dates for objecting to the France transit visa application rejection are given in the form sent to the applicant.

Generally, an objection must be made within 2 months from the date of application for a French transit visa. The objection request can be notified to the consulate where the application for the French transit visa is made by petition, this objection can be made online from the official consulate page or by going to the consulate in person. The objection decision will be notified to the applicant by the consulate, if no response is received within 2 months, this means that the objection is rejected.

How Long Is a France Transit Schengen Visa Valid?

The France transit visa is valid for 24 hours and can only be used once in the international transit area of an airport in France.

Persons must stay in the international area of a French airport while waiting for a transfer flight to their final destination; if a person needs to leave this area or spend more than 24 hours at the airport, they must apply for a short-term C-type Schengen visa instead of a Schengen transit visa.