France Multiple-Entry Visa for Indians: Who Qualifies

The rules below are as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026, by France-Visas, the Embassy of France in India, Campus France India and the European Commission. For single-trip visas, long-stay routes and fees, see our France visa page for Indians.

Who qualifies for a 2-year multiple-entry France visa?

The European Commission's Implementing Decision of 18 April 2024 set specific rules for Indian nationals. To be considered for a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for two years, you must:

• be an Indian national residing in India and applying in India;
• meet the normal entry conditions for a Schengen visa; and
• have obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years.

France's consulates decide each application individually and can shorten a visa's validity in individual cases.

How do you move from a 2-year to a 5-year visa?

The cascade continues under the EU Visa Code Handbook. The steps look like this:

Passport validity is the main practical limit to plan around. A visa's validity ends 3 months before the passport expires where the passport is shorter, so a passport with three years left cannot carry a full five-year visa. If you are close to qualifying for the 5-year step, renew your passport first.

What is France's 5-year alumni visa?

Separately from the cascade, Campus France India describes a 5-year 'alumni' short-stay visa for Indian nationals who:

• hold a Master's or higher degree, from any country; and
• studied at least one semester in France on a long-stay student visa of at least 4 months.

You apply at VFS with the usual documents for a tourist or business short-stay visa, plus a copy of the Master's (or higher) degree and proof of at least one semester of study in France, ideally with a document certifying how long the academic stay lasted. The alumni visa does not allow work in France. Details are on Campus France India's alumni visa page.

Does a multiple-entry visa change the 90-day rule?

No. A multiple-entry visa lets you enter as often as you need during its validity, but each short stay is still limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area.

Insurance works differently, though. For a multiple-entry visa you show proof of travel medical insurance for the first intended visit, with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000, and sign a statement in the application form covering later trips.

A multiple-entry visa also helps beyond mainland France. France-Visas says visa waivers for the overseas territories may be granted to Indian nationals holding a multiple-entry visa issued by a French consulate valid for 6 months to 5 years.

How do you apply, and what does it cost?

You request multiple entries on the normal short-stay application; there is no separate fee. You fill in the France-Visas form, book a VFS appointment with your France-Visas reference, and attend in person for biometrics.

The visa fee is kept even if the visa is refused. Bring copies of your earlier Schengen visas and the passport pages showing how you used them, since lawful use is the condition behind each step of the cascade.

How can you show the consulate why you need multiple entries?

France-Visas generates a checklist with your application, and VFS asks you to present the supporting documents in the same order. Within that file, three items help a multiple-entry request:

• An explanatory note. VFS allows an optional factual note of no more than one page, with your identity, passport number and France-Visas reference. Use it to list your previous Schengen visas and the trips you expect to make.
• Business evidence. Frequent business travellers can attach the letter or invitation from their correspondent in France describing the activity, its purpose, duration and location.
• Translations. Documents in languages other than English or French may need to be translated into French.

The consulate may still request more documents or call you for an interview in individual cases.

Which French consulate decides your application?

For context, European Commission statistics give a refusal rate of 15.3% for Schengen applications lodged at French consulates in India in 2025 (31,058 visas not issued; 204,184 applications lodged), and 15.9% in 2024. The figure covers all short-stay applications, not multiple-entry requests alone.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a first-time Schengen applicant get a multiple-entry France visa?

The cascade for Indian nationals starts after two visas have been obtained and lawfully used within the previous three years. Without that history you are assessed under the normal rules, and the consulate decides the validity and number of entries.

Does the France alumni visa allow me to work?

No. Campus France India says the 5-year alumni short-stay visa does not allow work. It is applied for at VFS with the tourist or business documents plus proof of your Master's degree and your semester in France.

Is a multiple-entry France visa more expensive than a single-entry one?

No. France-Visas lists one Schengen visa fee of 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children aged 6 to 12, whatever the number of entries. The VFS service fee of 22 EUR is added.

Do I need an airport transit visa when changing planes in France?

Not since 10 April 2026, when France lifted the airport transit visa requirement for Indian ordinary-passport holders who stay in the international zone of French airports.