How to apply for a France visa from India ?

Do Indians need a visa to travel to France?

France is a member of the European Union (EU) and is in the Schengen Area of countries - meaning you will at least need a short-stay India France Visa to travel to France.

How do I apply for a France visa from India?

You will first need to work out which France visa you need, depending on the length of your trip and the purpose of your travel, and how many times you plan to visit. The standard France Schengen Visa, for trips lasting up to 90 days, is a short-stay visa, with longer stays requiring a national work, study or family reunion visa. Multiple-entry visas are also available if you plan on traveling regularly to the Schengen Area.

You must apply for your visa no more than six months, and no fewer than 15 days, before your trip. Then you need to fill out your application, pay a fee of €80 for adults and €40 for minors, obtain all the documents you need for your France visa, and attend an interview at a consulate, embassy, or visa application center. Visa fees are waived for children under six years of age, those traveling to Europe for study purposes, researchers, or for those taking part in sporting or cultural events.

More information on how to apply for Schengen visa from India

What documents do I need to apply for a short-stay France visa from India?

You can download a Schengen Visa application form here.

Applicants will also need two recently taken passport-style photos, an Indian passport or other travel documents that are less than 10 years old and valid for at least three months after your departure date from France, or the Schengen Area if you plan to travel to countries after visiting France. Travel and medical insurance covering you for costs up to €30,000 is also required, as is evidence of legal residence in India (such as an ID card), a cover letter stating your itinerary and the purpose of your visit, as well as a flight itinerary and proof of accommodation during your stay, proof of your civil status, like a marriage certificate, and proof you have means of subsistence to support yourself during your stay.

Indians seeking to enter France must be able to prove they have €120 if they have no proof of prepaid accommodation. If the applicant has proof of a prepaid hotel, then this amount reduces to €65. If you can prove you have booked a cheaper form of accommodation, the amount decreases to €32.25.

What additional documents do I need to get a France visa to work or study?

If you are planning to work or study in France for fewer than 90 days, then you will need additional documents to obtain your visa. These include an employment contract, a current bank statement, a no objection letter from your Indian employer, and an income tax return. The self-employed need an income tax return, and a company bank statement, as well as any licenses. As a student, you will need proof of enrolment at an educational institution in France, and a no objection letter from your current Indian institution.

If you are planning to study in France for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a national study visa - providing evidence of your enrolment and plans to reside in France. For work visas, you should provide evidence of a salaried employment contract. Those who are highly skilled or who earn high salaries (€55,200) can apply for an EU Blue Card, entitling you to work across the European Union - otherwise, you should check that your qualifications and skills match the requirements for entry. If studying, it is possible to apply for a work permit to work during your stay.

Where do I apply for a France visa in India?

The French authorities outsource their visa applications process to the company VFS Global, which deals with initial applications on behalf of French officials. You can apply online via the VFS Global website, and you will need to attend an interview at one of the VFS Global centers, which are located in Mumbai, Pune, Puducherry, Chennai, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Goa, New Delhi, Kochi, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Applications should take around 15 days but can take up to 30 days to process, especially during busy periods. However, in some cases, it may take up to 60 days - so apply as early as you can.

Why choose AXA Schengen Insurance?

AXA’s Low Cost Travel Insurance costs only €22 ($23.82) per week of your trip and will meet your visa requirements, while the AXA Schengen Europe Travel Insurance offers extended coverage up to costs of €100,000. Those seeking a multiple-entry visa can purchase the Multi Trip insurance from €328 per year, which again covers you for expenses up to €100,000.

How to apply for other Schengen countries from India ?

Apply for Switzerland visa from India

Apply for Spain visa from India

Apply for Germany visa from India

Apply for Greece visa from India

Apply for Czech Republic visa from India

Apply for Belgium visa from India

Apply for Italy visa from India

Apply for Netherlands visa from India

Apply for Portugal visa from India

Apply for Denmark visa from India

Apply for Iceland visa from India

Frequently asked questions about applying for France visas from India

What should I do if my France visa is refused ?

If your visa is refused you have the right to appeal to the authorities in the Schengen member state where you applied.

Will I receive a refund if my France visa is refused ?

No. The fee you pay for your visa covers the cost of processing - so it will not be refunded if your application is turned down.

Will my visa allow me to travel to other European countries ?

Providing they are one of the 25 other countries within the Schengen Area you can travel to visit - but be careful as you may not be able to work or study depending on your visa.

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