How to Get a France Visa from India in 2026 (Full Guide)

Everything below is as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026: France-Visas, the Embassy of France in India, VFS Global India and the European Commission. If you are a student, the long-stay route runs through Campus France first; our France visa page for Indian passport holders links each route.

Do Indians need a visa for France, and which one?

Yes. India is listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so Indian ordinary-passport holders need a visa before travelling. France-Visas lists only Indian diplomatic-passport holders as exempt from the short-stay visa. There is no eVisa: the form is online, but the application only takes effect when you submit it in person at VFS, and the visa is affixed to your passport.

Your choice depends on the length and place of stay:

• Short-stay Schengen visa: up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism, business, family visits, short training, conferences, medical care or transit outside the airport international zone.
• Long-stay visa: more than 90 days, valid 3 months to 1 year, for study, salaried work, Talent Passport, family and other purposes.
• Overseas territories visa: a separate national visa for places such as Reunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe or French Polynesia. A Schengen visa alone does not cover them.

One change helps transit passengers. Since 10 April 2026, Indian ordinary-passport holders no longer need an airport transit visa when staying in the international zone of French airports, according to the Embassy of France in India.

How does the France-Visas and VFS process work?

1. Run the France-Visas visa wizard. It tells you whether you need a visa, which type, the documents and the fee.
2. Complete the online application on France-Visas and print the form, the receipt and your personalised checklist.
3. Book a VFS Global appointment using your France-Visas reference number and the correct appointment category. Bookings are online only.
4. Attend the VFS centre in person with your documents in checklist order. VFS collects your photo and 10 fingerprints; children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints.
5. Track the file by SMS, on the VFS site or through the France-Visas follow-up page.
6. Collect your passport, or send an immediate family member with your authorisation letter, their ID and the original VFS receipt.

VFS Global is the exclusive service provider for France in India, but it does not decide visas. Spouses of French citizens, family members of EU citizens and diplomatic or official passport holders may walk in at New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh and Jaipur. VFS lists 14 regular centres, from Ahmedabad and Goa to Kolkata and Pune, plus temporary service points in Coimbatore, Guwahati, Mangalore and Vishakhapatnam.

How much is the France visa fee in 2026?

France sets fees in euros and converts them to rupees at the rate fixed by the French authorities, so no fixed INR price is published. At the centre you can pay by debit card, credit card, UPI or cash.

Which French consulate covers your state?

You submit at VFS, but your file is decided by the French office whose territorial jurisdiction covers you.

What documents and funds should your file show?

• Passport issued within the previous 10 years, valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area, with at least 2 blank pages, plus a copy.
• Signed France-Visas form with its receipt, and the VFS appointment letter.
• Two ICAO-format photos, 35 to 40 mm wide, on a neutral light grey background (not blue).
• Travel medical insurance with minimum cover of EUR 30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole stay.
• Proof of means: bank statements for the last 3 months, your last 3 pay slips and credit or debit card statements.
• Proof of accommodation: a prepaid hotel reservation, or proof of sponsorship or private accommodation.
• For business: an invitation letter from your contact in France describing the purpose, duration and place of the meeting.

The European Commission's reference amounts for France, dated 8 June 2026, set EUR 65 per day per person as the minimum, EUR 32.50 per day with proof of accommodation and EUR 120 per day without it. Consulates may also check the reliability and stability of amounts credited to your bank statement. You can add an optional factual explanatory note of up to one page to the file.

Errors that slow files down

Papers out of checklist order, blue-background photos, insurance below EUR 30,000 and non-refundable flight tickets bought before the decision are avoidable problems. A verifiable flight reservation does the job until the visa is issued.

How long does it take, and how many applications are refused?

France-Visas decides Schengen applications within 15 calendar days of lodging, extendable up to 45 calendar days in individual cases. Apply no more than 6 months before travel. France-Visas says at least 5 days before departure for Indian passport holders born in India; VFS India advises at least two weeks, and the safer choice is the earlier one.

The European Commission publishes outcomes by consulate. The refusal rate for short-stay Schengen applications lodged at French consulates in India was 15.3% in 2025 (31,058 visas not issued out of 204,184 applications) and 15.9% in 2024. These figures describe all applications in those years, not the likely outcome of any one file.

Can you get a multi-year visa, or appeal a refusal?

Under a European Commission decision of 18 April 2024, Indians living in India who meet the entry conditions and have obtained and lawfully used two visas in the previous three years may be issued a 2-year multiple-entry Schengen visa. Lawful use of a 2-year visa can then lead to a 5-year visa, if passport validity allows. France also offers a 5-year alumni short-stay visa to Indians with a Master's or higher degree who studied at least one semester in France.

If refused, you have 30 days to appeal by post, in French and signed, to the Deputy Director of Visas (short stay) at BP 83609, 44036 Nantes Cedex 1. This step is mandatory before any court case.

For the papers around your application, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters. A flight reservation costs INR 1,000, and the full set of reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter costs INR 3,000. You can reach us on WhatsApp at +91 95230 91018 or via our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit Reunion Island without a visa as an Indian?

Only in a narrow case. An Embassy of France notice of 7 May 2026 says Indian nationals may be exempt for stays of up to 15 days on package tours organised by an approved tour operator with an authorised inbound operator in Reunion. Otherwise a separate Reunion visa (60 euros) is needed.

Can I apply for a France visa in India if I live in Dubai?

No. France-Visas says applications must be lodged in the country where you legally reside, so Indians living abroad apply to the French consulate or its service provider there.

Can VFS add more appointment slots for France?

No. Slots per calendar are set by the Embassy or consulate, new slots open at random times, and VFS cannot add appointments when none are available. The earliest available date is shown when you pick a category.

Does France accept a blue-background visa photo?

No. France-Visas asks for a neutral light grey background in ICAO format, 35 to 40 mm wide, with the face covering 70 to 80% of the picture. VFS offers 4 photographs for 200 INR.