Dreaming about sipping wine amid the breathtaking scenery of the French Alps or sunbathing on a beach at the French Riviera? Let’s make your dream come true!
Land of culture, history and tradition, France was the world’s most visited country in 2023 welcoming more than 100 million visitors from all over the globe.
This recorded a 7.3% increase marking a substantial rise in its tourism sector.
From the mesmerising beauty of its natural wonders to a lavish city life and experience you won’t forget for a lifetime, France is the perfect destination for your adventures.
Read below to know all about the French visa for Indians.
Do Indians need a visa to visit France?
Yes, Indians need to apply for a visa to visit France. Since France is one of the 29 Schengen countries, Indian nationals are required to apply for a Schengen visa for short stays not exceeding a period of 90 days for the purpose of tourism.
In any other case, Indian passport holders must apply for separate visas at the French embassy or consulate.
Do Indians have visa-on-arrival for France?
No, Indians do not have access to visa-on-arrival for France. They must get a pre-approved visa from the French embassy or consulate in India to be able to visit the country.
Types of France Visa
There are different types of visas for France depending upon the purpose and duration of visit.
France Short-Stay Visa
Indian Nationals planning to visit France for a period equal to or shorter than 90 days for the purpose of tourism, business, family visits or transit outside the international zone at the airport.
There are two types of short-stay visas for France
- Uniform Schengen visa for mainland France
- Short-stay National visa for French overseas or non-European territories
France Long-Stay National Visa
Indian passport holders are required to apply for a long-stay national visa if they are visiting France for a period longer than 90 days.
The regulations and requirements depend on the purpose of your visit, that is, extended period of tourism, education, long family visits or work-related activities.
There are two types of long-stay visas for France:
- Long-stay National visa for metropolitan France
- Long-stay visa for non-European French territories
Read our blog on the best time to visit France to make the best out of your trip here.
What are the documents required for a France visa for Indians?
The documents required for a France visa from India depends on your purpose and duration of visit.
You can determine the visa eligibility, supporting documents and visa fee required for a France visa through the digital visa assistant ‘Visa Wizard’ available on the official Immigration website of France.
General documents required for a France visa
- Travel document or Indian passport issued less than 10 years ago with atleast two blank pages and valid for atleast 3 months after your intended date of travel. Make sure to scan all the pages of the passport.
(In the case of a long-stay visa, valid for atleast 3 months longer than the expiry date of the visa.)
- Recent photograph
- Proof of legal residency, in case you are not a national of your place of residence
- Detailed itinerary of the trip
- Proof of return flight tickets and accommodation during the stay
- Proof of employment of the applicant
- Proof of personal relations to the country of residence like marriage certificate, family record, etc.
- Proof of sufficient financials to support your stay (last 3 months bank statements, ITR copies, last 3 months salary slips, certificate of registration of the company, etc.)
- Documents of sponsoring and personal income of the sponsor of the trip, in case sponsored
- Travel insurance of at least 30,000 euros covering the entire duration of the stay
Looking for the best places to visit in France? Our blog on the most sought-after French destinations might come in handy.
France Visa for Indians Application Process
The application process for a France visa from India is simple and easy once you get hold of the required documents to support your visit.
- Seek the correct information about a French visa to determine the eligibility, type of visa, fee, etc., on the official Immigration website of France.
- Fill out the application form online with the correct information and provide the supporting documents. Get a print out of the application form.
- Schedule an appointment at the concerned visa application centre near you to get your application reviewed.
- Submit your application at the visa application centre along with the visa fee and biometrics.
- Sit tight and wait while the application is being processed by the authorities. You will be notified when your visa is ready to be collected once approved.
France Visa Fees for Indians
The fee for your France visa depends on both the purpose and duration of the stay.
General France visa fee for Indians for Short-stay visa is around 90 euros or 8,372 INR & for Long-stay visa is 99 euros or 9,209 INR.
Read Also - France Visa Tracking Guide
Processing Time for France Visa From India
The processing time for a French visa for Indians is generally up to 15 days. In case special justifications regarding the visit are required, it may also take up to 45 days.
Make sure to apply for your visa well in advance to avoid missing your intended date of travel to France.
Things to remember while applying for your France Visa
There are certain things you need to keep mind while applying your France visa from India:
- The applicants cannot submit an application six months prior to their intended date of travel.
- You can submit your applications at the visa application centre between 9 AM to 4 PM from Monday to Friday only after getting an appointment. The centres are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Children under the age of 12 years are not required to provide biometric information.
- In case your France visa is rejected, you can apply an appeal to contest the refusal within 30 days. In case the applicant does not receive a reply from the authorities within two months of submission of the appeal, the visa is deemed to be refused.
- The visa fee is subject to fluctuations. Keep a check on the information available at the official Immigration website.
- Make sure that you are submitting true and correct information while applying for your visa. Establish strong ties to your country of residence to increase your chances of visa approval.
