France Business Visa for Indians: Invitation Letter and Documents

Business travel is one of the purposes of the uniform Schengen short-stay visa, which allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Only the Embassy of France in New Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata and Bengaluru decide visas; VFS Global collects files. Details are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For tourist, student and work routes, see our France visa guide for Indians.

What must the invitation letter from France say?

The France-Visas business trip page asks for one of these, in order of preference:

1. A request letter, summons or invitation from your correspondent in France describing the activity, purpose, duration and location of the meeting, seminar or conference.
2. Failing this, admission cards to trade fairs or conferences.
3. Failing this, a commitment by the inviting organisation or company to cover all your costs during the stay.

A letter that just says 'we invite Mr X to visit' misses most of that list. Ask your host to name the meetings or event, the dates, the city and venue, and who in the company you will meet. Keep the dates identical to those on your France-Visas form. Documents in languages other than English or French may need a French translation.

Which other documents go into the file?

France-Visas generates a checklist with your application, and VFS asks you to present documents in the same order as that checklist. The common items are:

For funds, the European Commission's reference amounts for France (table of 8 June 2026) are EUR 65 minimum per day and per person, EUR 32.50 per day if you hold proof of accommodation, and EUR 120 per day without it. Consulates may check the reliability and stability of amounts credited to a bank statement, so unexplained recent deposits work against you.

Which VFS category and which French office handle your file?

Book the VFS appointment under 'Business travel or for another professional reason', using your France-Visas reference number. Your state decides which French office examines the file:

VFS centres operate in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Puducherry and Pune, with temporary service points in Coimbatore, Guwahati, Mangalore and Vishakhapatnam.

Can frequent business travellers get a multi-year visa?

Yes, under the European Commission's Implementing Decision of 18 April 2024 for Indian nationals residing in India and applying in India:

• 2-year multiple-entry visa: if you meet the entry conditions and have obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.
• 5-year multiple-entry visa: if you obtained and lawfully used a 2-year multiple-entry visa within the previous three years, provided your passport validity allows.

Validity ends 3 months before passport expiry where the passport is shorter, and consulates can shorten validity in individual cases. Renew your passport early if you expect the longer visa.

What if the trip includes paid work?

A business visit covers meetings, conferences, corporate meetings and short training programmes. France-Visas lists 'remunerated activities not exceeding 90 days' as a separate short-stay purpose, so declare it if you will be paid for work in France. Work beyond 90 days needs a long-stay visa (99 euros) and, for salaried employment, a work authorisation requested by the French employer first.

How long does a France business visa take?

France-Visas decides short-stay visas within 15 calendar days of lodging; this may be extended up to 45 calendar days in individual cases. The France-Visas India page says to apply at least 5 days before departure (VFS advises at least two weeks), and no more than 6 months before. Appointment slots are set by the consulates and open at random times.

European Commission data puts the refusal rate for Schengen applications lodged at French consulates in India at 15.3% in 2025: 31,058 visas not issued; 204,184 applications lodged. The 90-euro fee is kept even if the visa is refused. An appeal must be sent by post, in French, within 30 days of the refusal.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters for business files, from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or reach us via our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I give fingerprints for a France business visa?

Yes, your photo and 10 fingerprints are collected at the VFS centre unless you are exempt. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints, and holders of a Schengen visa whose fingerprints were registered in the last 59 months are exempt from biometrics.

Can a colleague collect my passport from VFS?

A company representative may collect it, as may an immediate family member. They need a photocopy of their government ID, the original VFS receipt (ICR) and an authorisation letter from you. VFS also offers courier return for 550 INR.

How do I pay the France visa fee in India?

The 90-euro fee is paid in rupees at the VFS centre, at the rate set by the French authorities, by debit card, credit card, UPI or cash. The 22 EUR VFS service fee is paid online in local currency.

Where do I track my France business visa?

VFS sends an SMS when the application is submitted. You can track it on the VFS website with the reference number on your VFS receipt and your last name, or through France-Visas 'Follow an application'.