Transit Visa for Paris CDG — Do You Need One? (2026)
Schengen Type A vs Type C, CDG inter-terminal logistics, and which nationalities need a transit visa even for back-to-back airside transfers.
Quick Answer
Most travellers need NO visa to change planes at Paris CDG if they stay in the international zone and fly on outside Schengen. Nationals on France’s airport transit visa list — including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and, for ordinary passports, the Philippines — need a Type A visa even airside. Indian ordinary passports no longer need one (since 10 April 2026). CDG has 3 terminals connected by the CDGVAL train — allow 90 min for cross-terminal connections.
Transit Visa by Nationality (2026)
| Nationality | Transit Visa? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA | No | Schengen-exempt; full transit + 90-day stay free. |
| UK | No | Schengen-exempt post-Brexit; full transit + 90-day stay free. |
| EU + EEA | No | Internal Schengen; no immigration check needed. |
| Canada | No | Schengen-exempt; airside + landside free. |
| Australia | No | Schengen-exempt; airside + landside free. |
| Japan | No | Schengen-exempt; airside + landside free. |
| South Korea | No | Schengen-exempt; airside + landside free. |
| China | No | No airport transit visa for airside connections to a non-Schengen destination; entering France needs a Schengen visa. |
| UAE | No | Schengen-exempt since 2022; airside + landside free. |
| Singapore | No | Schengen-exempt; airside + landside free. |
| India | No | No airport transit visa for ordinary passports since 10 April 2026 (international zone only). |
| Philippines | Yes | Airport transit visa required for ordinary passports. |
| Pakistan | Yes | Airport transit visa required, even airside. |
| Bangladesh | Yes | Airport transit visa required, even airside. |
| Sri Lanka | Yes | Airport transit visa required, even airside. |
| Nigeria | Yes | Airport transit visa required, even airside. |
Data valid for 2026. Always verify on france-visas.gouv.fr 21+ days before travel.
How to Apply for a French Transit Visa
- 1
Determine your visa type
Type A (Airport Transit) is required for the nationalities on France’s list even when staying airside between flights. Type C (short-stay Schengen) covers anyone leaving the airport, recheck-baggage, or terminal-change via landside.
- 2
Apply at the French consulate via TLScontact
France outsources visa intake to TLScontact in most countries. Book a biometric appointment 21+ days before travel. Required: passport (3+ months beyond travel), 2 onward tickets, hotel booking if leaving airside, insurance EUR 30,000, and the visa fee (check the current fee on france-visas.gouv.fr).
- 3
CDG terminal logistics
CDG has 3 terminals: T1 (mostly Star Alliance), T2 (Air France + SkyTeam, split into A-G halls), T3 (low-cost). Inter-terminal CDGVAL train runs every 4 min, 8 min between any two terminals. Allow 90 min for cross-terminal connections with security re-check.
Do I need a transit visa at Paris Charles de Gaulle? Answers by passport
Indian passport
No, with an ordinary passport, if you stay in the international zone: France dropped the airport transit visa for Indian nationals from 10 April 2026. A connection to another Schengen country still needs a Schengen visa. [1]
Filipino passport
Yes, with an ordinary passport. The Philippines is on France’s airport transit visa list, so you need a Type A visa even to stay airside, unless an exemption applies. [2]
Nigerian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan passport
Yes. All four are on France’s airport transit visa list for every passport type, so you need a Type A visa even to stay airside, unless an exemption applies. [2]
Turkish or Nepali passport
Yes, with an ordinary passport. Both are on France’s airport transit visa list. [2]
Chinese or South African passport
No, if you stay in the international zone and fly on outside Schengen. Neither is on France’s airport transit visa list. [2]
Sources
- Embassy of France in India — France lifts airport transit visa requirements for Indian nationals — updated 23 Apr 2026; checked 1 Oct 2026.
- France-Visas — Airport transit visa; checked 1 Oct 2026.
Transit rules change. Check with your airline and the official source before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to transit at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)?+
Most travellers who stay in the international zone and fly on outside Schengen need no visa. France requires an airport transit visa from nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka (all passports), plus ordinary passports of Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, the Philippines, Guinea, the Republic of the Congo, Russia (under conditions), Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Indian ordinary passports have been exempt since 10 April 2026. Check france-visas.gouv.fr before you travel.
How long is the minimum connection time at CDG?+
Same terminal, Schengen-to-Schengen or non-Schengen-to-non-Schengen: 60 min. Cross-zone same terminal (Schengen ↔ non-Schengen, requires passport control): 75 min. Different terminals (e.g. T2E to T1) via CDGVAL train: 90 min minimum, 120 recommended. International recheck-baggage: 120 min.
Can I leave Paris CDG during a layover?+
Yes, if you have a Schengen visa or are visa-exempt. Visa-exempt nationals can leave for up to 90 days within a 180-day rolling Schengen window. CDG has a direct RER B train to Gare du Nord (32 min) + Châtelet-Les Halles (35 min, central Paris) for EUR 14 on the Ticket Paris Région-Aéroports, which also covers two hours of onward Metro transfers. Roissybus was withdrawn in February 2026. Allow 90-120 min round trip from terminal to central Paris for a 4 h+ layover.
What is the difference between Schengen and non-Schengen at CDG?+
Schengen flights (within 27 EU + EFTA Schengen countries) have no passport control between member states. Non-Schengen flights (UK, US, Asia, Africa, Middle East) require passport control. CDG T2E + T2F handle most non-Schengen long-haul; T2A + T2C are mainly Schengen; T1 mixes both. Switching zones means walking through passport control (usually within terminal).
Is CDG a good airport for connections?+
Mixed. CDG is one of Europe's biggest hubs (Air France's home base) with hundreds of daily international + intra-Europe departures. Strengths: direct connections to almost everywhere, modern CDGVAL inter-terminal train. Weaknesses: confusing 3-terminal layout and strikes (Air France crew, ground staff). Plan a 2-hour buffer minimum.
How much does a French Schengen transit visa cost?+
Most travellers pay nothing because they need no visa to connect airside. If you need a Type A or Type C visa, france-visas.gouv.fr shows the current fee, plus any visa-centre service fee where you apply.
What about Paris Orly (ORY) vs CDG?+
Orly is the smaller Paris airport (south of city) — mainly Air France domestic + intra-Europe + some North Africa. International transit is nearly always via CDG. If you have a same-day connection between CDG and Orly, allow 4 hours minimum for the bus transfer + check-in (no direct rail link). The Schengen + visa rules above apply to both airports.
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