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How to get a France visa from India
Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for Indian passport holders travelling to France.
Visa types & fees
3 visa options for travelling to France.
Student visa
CategoryLong Stay Visa
Processing time5-30 days
Validity180 days
Transit visa
Processing timeThree weeks
Validity1-5 days
Visitor Visa
CategoryShort-stay Visa
Processing time5-30 days
Validity90 days
Application requirements
Documents Indian applicants need to provide.
- A complete visa application form (Applicants must complete the right form i.e either the visa form for short stays or the other for long stays).
- An original passport valid for at a minimum of 3 months and issued within the last 10 years.
- Two passport-sized photos taken within the last three months and of size 45mm x 35mm.
- Copies of the applicant's previous visas.
- A valid travel medical insurance with a coverage of £30,000.
- Proof of financial means to sustain self in France
- Proof of accommodation for your entire stay in France.
- Complete travel itinerary.
- Certificate of criminal records.
- Proof of paid visa fee.
- A cover letter stating the purpose of your visit to France.
- Proof of civil status in India.
Visa type details
Visitor Visa
Short stay Schengen visa
- The Schengen short-stay visa is issued to travelers who want to visit France for tourism, business, family visitation or any other short term purpose.
- The applicant's reason for travel must be clearly stated on the visa stamped in the applicant's visa.
- Application forms should be filled correctly and with all honesty.
- You can also fill the France Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date.
- When you submit your application, your fingerprints will be taken and these will remain valid for 5 years.
- Some applicants such as children under the age of 12 do not need to have their fingerprints taken.
- Travelers on this visa are expected to have at least €14 to spend per day.
- Applicants are expected to be physically present for submission of the signed application form to the appropriate embassy in India.
- For accommodation, you can book hotels online.
- There should be an invitation letter from the applicant's family or friends in France with their address and phone number in case the applicant would be hosted by them.
- For business applicants, they are to submit an invitation letter from the French company they will be visiting and a detailed address accompanied by the dates of their visit.
- A letter from your employer in India stating awareness and allowance of your business travel for the duration of your time in the country.
- If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
- The employer or the partner company must state coverage of the applicant’s expenses for the duration of stay in France on the letter of invitation.
- You are required to provide the original copies of all documents with clear double-sided photocopies at the embassy. You should NOT staple the documents together.
- If you are self-employed, you should submit proof of business certification such as the Business License and the company's certified bank account statements for the last three months.
- There should be a detailed itinerary of the applicant's travel and a return ticket to India at the end of the applicant's stay.
- Minors traveling on a short-stay visa are expected to have their birth certificate and a signed letter of consent from their parents.
- They should also have copies of their parents' or guardians' IDs or passports.
Student visa
- Long stay visa
- The National long-stay visa is issued to foreigners who intend to stay in France longer than 90 or 180 days for reasons such as work or study.
- The purpose of the travel is always boldly stated on the traveler's visa e.g. an Indian going to France for work will have their visa specified as a work visa
- The France work visa is issued to those who intend to work in the country.
- To be eligible to apply for this visa, you must have been employed by a company in France and meet all the France visa requirements.
- You are to attach proof of your academic qualification such as grade’s transcription and certificates.
- Applicants should also bring proof of their proficiency in speaking and writing French.
- The applicant's employment contract which has been signed by the employer would be requested at the embassy.
- A cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit to the Schengen country is also required.
- Note that the embassy might request for more documents than the aforementioned.
- There should be a signed note from the hiring company stating their intended sponsorship of the employed applicant.
- Students who have intentions to study in France are issued a long term student visa.
- Students applying to study in France must be over 18 years of age.
- Note that you will be issued a short-stay visa for a training course not exceeding three months.
- For a training course exceeding three or six months, you will be issued a temporary long-stay visa and a residence permit.
- For training or a course exceeding six months, you will be issued a long-stay visa which is equivalent to a residence permit.
- For the residence permit, applicants would be subject to further formalities on your arrival in France.
- Foreigners on the temporary long-stay visa can take up part-time jobs in France.
- A certificate of recent scholarly achievement (if any) is required.
- A certificate of bank balance is to be submitted.
- Applicants need to pay for at least 2 terms of 10 weeks each for an academic year to get the certificate issued and sent of them by the University.
Transit visa
- The transit visa for France is referred to as the Airport Transit Visa (ATV).
- An Airport Transit Visa (ATV) is required to be able to go through any Schengen state.
- The ATV type should be the multiple ATV that authorizes several transits through Schengen states.
- The visa application form for the Schengen visa should be electronically filled after which the hard copy of the filled form should be printed.
- Fingerprints are required for a Schengen Visa so the applicant has to be physically present at the embassy during the application.
- A passport with a validity of at least three months beyond the return date should be submitted alongside the duly completed visa application form.
- There should be two copies of the passport photo page having the address of the applicant.
- Two recently taken passport photos should also be attached.
- Applicants are advised to ensure that they bring along all the required documents to the embassy as incomplete documentation could lead to delay or visa denial.
- On arrival at the country of transit, you are expected to remain in the international zone of the airport until you are connected to your final destination.
Where to apply
France embassy & visa application centers in India.
New Delhi
Address2/50-E Shantipath Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110021 India
Phone(+91) (11) 2419 6100
Email[email protected]
Websitein.ambafrance.org
French Consulate General in Mumbai
AddressWockhardt Towers, East Wing, 5th floor, Bandra - Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400 051, India.
Phone(+91) 22 6669 4000
Websitein.ambafrance.org/-Consulat-de-Bombay-
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Frequently asked questions
Why do tourists travel to France
France is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. People travel for its joie de vivre shown by the countless restaurants, picturesque villages and world-famous gastronomy, some others travel to visit Disneyland Paris, Europe's most popular visitor attraction.
Is tourist accommodation easy to get in France
There are short term apartments and rentals, hotels, B&Bs and Gites. Tourists are usually advised to go for short term rentals. Hotels on the other hand range from 1 to 5 stars and are very likely to be overbooked and road traffic will be awful during the 1 May, 8 May, 11 Nov, Easter Weekend, Ascension weekend.
Is France safe
Yes. France is known to be a low crime area. Visitors are still to observe precautionary measures and avoid walking in dark and lonely places. Always keep your eyes on your belongings in public and crowded places to avoid pickpockets and purse-snatchers.
Can I drink tap water in France
Tap water (Eau du robinet) is drinkable, except in rare cases such as rural rest areas and sinks in train bathrooms, in which case it will be clearly signposted as Eau non-potable. Bottled water is however very common.
Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest France visa
requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.