France reintroduces transit Visa for Nigerians travelling to UK

France has reintroduced airport transit visa (ATV) for Nigerians and citizens of certain countries, who will be travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) from January 1, 2021.

An ATV gives a traveller access to pass through the international zone of an airport, without entering the country’s territory.

A statement issued by Air France-KLM explained that the ATV has become necessary for these citizens to pass through France or the Netherlands following Brexit, which means the UK is no longer part of the European Union (EU).

It also said citizens of the affected countries with British visa, long-stay visa or British residence permit must still possess a ATV to pass through France or the Netherlands.

The affected countries include Afghanistan, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Ethiopia and Ghana.

Others include Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Russia, Senegal, Syria, Palestinians, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka.

“As of January 1, 2021, citizens of the following countries who are holders of a British visa, long-stay visa or a residence permit issued by the British authorities will need to be in possession of an airport transit visa (ATV) if they transit through France and or the Netherlands,” the statement read.