Transit Visa for Paris CDG — Do You Need One? (2026)
Schengen Type A vs Type C, CDG inter-terminal logistics, and which 13 nationalities need a transit visa even for back-to-back airside transfers.
Quick Answer
Most travellers need NO visa to transit at Paris CDG — US, UK, EU, AU, CA, JP, KR, CN under the 15-day pilot, UAE, Singapore are all visa-exempt for airside + landside transit. Thirteen specific nationalities (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, etc.) need a Schengen Type A airport transit visa (EUR 80) even for back-to-back same-terminal transfers. 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 | 15-day mutual visa-free pilot (Dec 2023, extended 2026); airside transit free. |
| UAE | No | Schengen-exempt since 2022; airside + landside free. |
| Singapore | No | Schengen-exempt; airside + landside free. |
| India | Yes | Type A airport transit visa EUR 80 required. |
| Pakistan | Yes | Type A airport transit visa EUR 80 required. |
| Bangladesh | Yes | Type A airport transit visa EUR 80 required. |
| Sri Lanka | Yes | Type A airport transit visa EUR 80 required. |
| Nigeria | Yes | Type A airport transit visa EUR 80 required. |
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 mandatory for ~13 nationalities 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, EUR 80 fee.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to transit at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)?+
For most Western nationalities (US, UK, EU, AU, CA, JP, KR, CN under 15-day pilot, UAE, Singapore) — NO visa required for transit, even if leaving the airport. For 13 specific nationalities (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, etc.) — a Schengen Type A airport transit visa (EUR 80) is required even for back-to-back airside transfers. Always check the French Schengen visa requirements 21+ days before travel via france-visas.gouv.fr.
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 11.80. The Roissybus to Opera (60-75 min) is EUR 16.20. 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, 80M passengers/year) with hundreds of daily international + intra-Europe departures. Strengths: direct connections to almost everywhere, modern CDGVAL inter-terminal train. Weaknesses: confusing 3-terminal layout, frequent strikes (Air France crew, ground staff), on-time performance only 72%. Plan a 2-hour buffer minimum.
How much does a French Schengen transit visa cost?+
Type A Airport Transit Visa: EUR 80 adult, EUR 40 child 6-12, free under 6. Type C Schengen short-stay (if leaving CDG): EUR 90 adult. Plus TLScontact service fee (varies by country, ~EUR 30). US, UK, EU, AU, CA, JP, KR passports pay nothing — they are Schengen visa-exempt for 90 days within any 180-day period.
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.