Planning to apply for a France transit visa? Here is everything you need to know for a seamless experience.
When I was heading to Mexico for the first time for a work conference, I thought all I needed was my Mexican visa and flight ticket. My colleague, who had done it before, then told me I’d need a France transit visa. This is the kind of detail you might not easily find online if you’ve never applied in person. That same colleague missed his first Mexico trip simply because he didn’t know about the transit visa requirement.
For Nigerian travelers, you usually have two main options: apply for a US visa/transit visa or a France visa/transit visa. Since the US process can be much stricter (and I had already been denied a US visa when I tried), I was advised to go with the France transit option. To my surprise, the application turned out to be easier and more seamless than I expected.
In this article, I’ll share exactly how I got my France transit visa: the documents I submitted, the steps I followed, and other little important details you should know. Lastly, if you’re planning a trip with a layover in France, this guide will help you avoid any mistakes and travel with peace of mind.
What is a France Transit Visa?
A France transit visa, officially called an Airport Transit Visa (ATV), is a short visa that allows travelers from certain countries to pass through a French airport while on their way to another destination. It’s part of the Schengen visa framework and is especially important if your journey involves a layover in Paris (CDG) or another French international airport.
There are two main types of transit visas you should know about:
- Airport Transit Visa (ATV): This allows you to remain in the international zone of the airport while waiting for your connecting flight. You’re not allowed to step outside the airport or go through French border control.
- There are three types of airport transit visa (ATV):
- Schengen Short-Stay Visa (for Transit): If your layover is long and you need to leave the airport (to stay in a hotel, for example) or if your connection requires you to pass through immigration to check in again, you’ll need a short-stay Schengen visa instead.
Not everyone needs a transit visa, but nationals of certain countries, including Nigeria, are required to obtain one, even if they don’t plan to leave the airport. This is often surprising to first-time travelers because people assume a confirmed ticket is enough to change planes. Unfortunately, for Nigerians and many others, that’s not the case.
A common misconception is that if you’re just “passing through” without leaving the airport, you don’t need a visa. But if your passport is on France’s list of required nationalities, you absolutely do. That’s why so many travelers get caught off guard, sometimes even missing their flights.
Who Needs a France Transit Visa?
France requires transit visas from nationals of certain countries who are simply passing through its airports. This rule applies even if you are not planning to leave the airport. Nigeria is one of the countries on this list, which means Nigerian passport holders must apply for a France Airport Transit Visa (ATV) before traveling through Paris (CDG) or any other French international airport.
Some of the countries whose citizens are required to obtain a France Airport Transit Visa include:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Ethiopia
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Cameroon
- Pakistan
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Eritrea
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Indians
(This is not the full list, but these are among the most common nationalities affected. Always confirm the current list on the official France-Visas website.)
If you are from any of these countries, and you are wondering, “Can I transit through France without a visa?” The answer is no, you cannot.
FAQs Travelers Often Ask
Do Nigerians need a transit visa to pass through Paris/CDG?
Yes. Nigerian citizens cannot board a flight transiting through France without a valid France transit visa. Airlines will usually check this before you even depart from Lagos or Abuja.
If I’m not leaving the airport, do I still need it?
Yes. Even if your connection is just a few hours and you plan to remain in the airport’s international zone, you are still required to hold a transit visa.
What if I already hold a US, UK, or Schengen visa?
If you have a valid visa or residence permit for the US, UK, or any Schengen country, you will be allowed to transit without an ATV. If you have a Schengen visa, there are countries you can travel to visa-free, and in my case, Mexico is one of them. However, I didn’t have a Schengen Visa.
Also Read: What Every First Time Traveler Must Know – The First Time Traveller Checklist and Guidebook
What are the Required Documents for a France Transit Visa
When I applied for my France transit visa, the process was straightforward because I had all my documents prepared ahead of time. I visited the France TLS Contact site for a Schengen visa and got the list of documents to submit.
Here’s the list of what I submitted: (I will advise you to always revisit the official website in case there is a change)
- Valid Nigerian Passport – Your passport must be valid for at least 3 – 6 months beyond your travel date. Make sure it has blank pages for the visa sticker.
- Visa Application Form – Completed online through the France-Visas website and printed out for submission.
- Flight Itinerary – A confirmed ticket showing your onward travel from Nigeria through France to your final destination (in my case, Mexico).
- Valid Visa for the Destination Country – Since I was traveling to Mexico, I needed to show my approved Mexican visa. This proves you have permission to enter your destination country after leaving France.
- Passport Photographs – Two recent passport-sized photos that meet Schengen visa photo requirements (white background, proper dimensions, no head covering unless religious).
- Proof of Funds – A recent bank statement to show you can cover expenses during your travel. Even though you’re just transiting, this is still required.
- In my case, my company covered all expenses, but I still showed my pay slip, invitation from my company, business conference itinerary, and almost everything I needed for my Mexican visa.
You can always find the official checklist for your situation on the France-Visas portal, just select your type of visa (in this case, ATV or transit). I strongly recommend downloading the checklist directly from there, as requirements can sometimes change.
My France Transit Visa Timeline
- Day 1: Filled out the application on the France-Visas website and booked a TLS Contact appointment.
- Day 5: Attended my TLS appointment in Lagos, submitted documents, and did biometrics.
- Day 6: Application was processed by the French Consulate (no interview required).
- Day 20: Received SMS and email from TLS that my passport was ready for collection.
- Day 21/22: Picked up my passport with the France transit visa stamped inside.
Processing times may vary depending on the season, but this gives you a realistic idea of how the journey looks once you start the process. Below is my detailed experience.
You may also like: My First Time Flight Experience: All You Need To Know For Your First Local Flight As A Nigerian
France Transit Visa Application Process (Step-by-Step) and My Experience
When I applied for my France transit visa, here’s exactly how the process went: (Please note that I am a Nigerian, and this process is how I applied from Nigeria).
Step 1: Fill Out the Form on TLS Contact
I started by visiting the official TLS Contact website. There, I filled in some information about where I am applying from and where I am going. At the time (2024/early 2025), I didn’t need travel insurance, but I think you need one now. This is why you should always double-check on the website.
You will also be asked to select your visa application center. There are only two centers in Nigeria, so I selected Lagos.
The Lagos center address is at Hubmart Store, 39 Adeola Odeku St, Victoria Island, Lagos 101241, Lagos
You will then get access to the website so you can create an account or log in.
Step 2: Book an Appointment with TLS Contact
The next step is to book an appointment; however, you cannot do that without first registering and filling out your France Visa Application form on the official France Visa Website, which is easy to fill out. There, you will also find the visa application guidelines.
Tips for Filling France Transit Visa Application Forms
- The only tip I will give you is to be as honest and straightforward as possible. Also, give them details they did not ask you but you think they will need. If you have multiple jobs or pay slips, state it.
I was asked to give the contact information of the business inviting me to Mexico, and I stated there that my employer is American, so I only have an American contact.
- Don’t forget to choose the right ATV that applies to the duration of your stay.
Also, choose the day before you go/the date you will arrive in France as the starting date and the date you will be coming back (for return trips) or the date you arrive back in France as your duration of stay in the application form.
For example, if you will be traveling to Mexico on the 20th of August but will arrive in France on the 19th, choose 19th as your start date, then if you will be coming back and arriving/leaving France on the 1st of September, choose 1st of September or 2nd to be on the safe side. But they would usually give you more days or weeks than you state.
Lastly, remember, the consular officer is a person, and they only want to know that you are telling the truth and you won’t be stranded when you get to your destination.
Before booking your appointment, you will have to confirm that you are registered with TLS Contact. See TLS Application process breakdown.
When you are all set, you will be asked to log in to book your appointment. Choose a date and time that you will be available, and you are all set.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents and Attend the Appointment
On your appointment day, arrive early. Print out all your documents because they do not allow cell phones. Before you are allowed entrance, you have to turn off your phone.
I also realized I didn’t print out a particular appointment letter ( the main one that will allow me entrance into the center), which was the appointment confirmation that was sent to me, and I’d overlooked.
Only people with the appointment letter are allowed entrance. Your family member or friend will have to wait for you outside.
My advice for you is to print both because I did print out one appointment confirmation, but I was told it wasn’t the one (quite confusing). Just print both, show it to them, and they will let you know which one it is.
My Appointment Experience And Mistakes I Made That You Shouldn’t Make
After waiting a while, I entered, and I was told to remove the staplers from my documents, so don’t bother stapling them together. I also had the wrong passport photograph (I had a US passport photo, which was different from France’). I had to pay to retake another one (but it was quick and easy).
They also asked if I wanted my passport to be delivered to my house, or if I wanted to collect it, or if I wanted to stay in the premium lounge for VIP treatment, which meant I would get the passport sooner (This attracts an extra fee). I said no, that I wanted the normal/standard procedure, and I would collect my passport myself.
Next, I joined the seated queue where your documents will be checked before they are submitted. This was really cool because they will ensure your documents are correct and ready, which helps you stand a good chance of getting an approved visa.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Fees
I paid my visa fees at the center. The official fee was about €80 – €90, plus the TLS service charge (together it came to around ₦80,000 – ₦144,000, depending on the exchange rate at that time). I believe I paid about 80,000 ( I can’t remember).
One thing I did right was that I remembered to bring my card because only ATM cards were allowed for visa payment. No transfer or cash. I don’t know about now.
Everything checked out, and I was told to go to another office when it was my turn.
Step 5: Biometrics and Capturing
In this room, you will submit your arranged documents (done by TLS Contact), take your biometric and data capturing (fingerprints + photo), and answer a few simple questions. My passport photo was also ready by then, so I went to get it and submitted it. The TLS staff checked through my file to make sure everything was complete and I was done.
To be honest, the process was so cool, no interview, no pressure like the US visa (lol). It was a great experience and I don’t mind doing it again. The ambience was also really cool.
Step 5: Wait for Processing
After submission, my application was sent to the French Consulate. Processing took about 2 weeks or more, so it’s best to apply early. Before I got the email, I kept checking and refreshing. I even logged in on their website a few times, and I was really giddy and expectant.
Eventually, I got an email that my passport was ready, and off I went.
Step 6: Collect Passport
On the day of the event, I got to the center, told them I was there for collection, I was allowed entrance, and then I went through the protocol of turning off my phone before gaining entrance to the office.
The passport collection section is not the same as the documentation section; the passport collection section is on the right side of the entrance. The wait time was short. I gave the official on seat my name, and he searched through the passports and brought out mine.
By the way, there was a man before me who wanted to collect his wife’s passport, but they told him he needed a signed letter from his wife before he could get her passport. He had to go out to make a few calls, and I hope he did get it because I left before he came back.
I opened my passport as soon as I was given and even though I had applied for just a 2-week transit, I was given a 1-month transit visa approval. That made me feel good.
So, yeah, Mexico here I come!!!
More FAQs You May Have
Do I need to show proof of funds for a transit visa?
Yes. Even though you’re not staying in France, the embassy still requires proof that you can support yourself during your journey. A recent bank statement (usually the last 3–6 months) is enough.
Can I stay in France with a transit visa?
No. The France Airport Transit Visa (ATV) only allows you to remain in the international zone of the airport while waiting for your connecting flight. If your layover requires you to leave the airport or re-check in through immigration, you’ll need a short-stay Schengen visa instead.
But, let me tell you my story…
I missed my flight from Paris to Lagos
So, while I was coming back from Mexico to Paris, my airline from Mexico City (Air France) delayed so much that I missed my flight, so they had to give me an accommodation and breakfast outside the airport, in that process I had to enter France with my ATV (transit visa) which was not usually ideal.
But the police at the border control trusted me and stamped my passport. That was a pretty cool experience for me. However, it wasn’t all rosy because I had a really stressful experience afterward, and I almost broke down crying at the bus station in Paris (I did break down). (Let me know if you want the story time, and I will share it with you in another blog post.)
How early should I apply for a France transit visa?
At least 3 – 4 weeks before your travel date. In busy periods, applications can take longer, so the earlier you apply, the better. Applying last minute could mean missing your trip if the visa doesn’t come out on time.
Can I apply without a confirmed ticket?
Usually, no. The French authorities require a confirmed flight itinerary showing your travel from Nigeria to France and then to your final destination. However, some travelers use refundable bookings or book through agents who can hold tickets temporarily just for visa applications. You can also use a dummy ticket website. I didn’t, though, because my company got a refundable ticket for me, so your choice.
Personally, I think a refundable ticket is better and makes you look honest, too.
Final Tips & Encouragement
If you’re planning a trip that requires a France transit visa, my biggest advice is to start early. In fact, if you are planning to apply for any visa at all, always start planning like 2 months before (if you are like me, start researching about the visa 3-6 months before, lol), then apply 1 month before or 1 and a half months before.
Don’t wait until the last minute to begin your application because processing times can vary, and any small delay might affect your travel.
Always double-check the France-Visas website and TLS Contact website for the most up-to-date requirements. Visa rules change from time to time, and the best way to avoid mistakes is to rely on official sources.
Most importantly, stay calm and organized. The process may sound intimidating at first, but it’s completely possible to get your France transit visa if you follow the right steps. With proper preparation, you won’t have to worry about missing your flight or being stranded, like many first-time travelers who aren’t aware of this requirement.
If I could do it successfully on my first attempt, you can too. Apply early, gather your documents carefully, and travel with confidence.
I am looking forward to applying for a Schengen visa and getting it. Best believe I will definitely share it with you when I do.
Got any questions for me? My comment section is open, or you can always contact me on my official email – sarah@theavidinspire.com
Related post: European Countries Nigerians Can Visit With a Schengen Visa – Schengen Visa Countries
