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Visa guide · Indian passport holders

France visa for Indian citizens

Applies via: VFS Global + embassySchengen short-stay visaSources checked on

Indian citizens apply for a France visa through VFS Global and the embassy. The published fee for Schengen visa and airport transit visa - full rate is 90 euros. Processing time (Schengen short-stay (general rule)): Decided within 15 calendar days of lodging; may be extended up to 45 calendar days in individual cases. Application locations listed include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai and Cochin (Kochi) (13 more listed below). Sources checked on October 10, 2026.

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France visa for Indians — key facts

Visa fee
90 eurosSchengen visa and airport transit visa - full rate
Processing time
Decided within 15 calendar days of lodgingSchengen short-stay (general rule)
Where to apply
18 locations listedAhmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh…
Insurance required
Yes

Overview

How do Indian citizens apply for a France visa?

Applies via: VFS Global + embassy

Who handles applications in India

VFS Global is the exclusive service provider for the Government of France for visa applicants in India, Nepal and Bhutan; visa decisions are taken only by the Embassy of France in New Delhi and the French consulates in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata and Bengaluru. You must first complete the online application on the official France-Visas website (its 'Visa wizard' tells you whether you need a visa, which type, the supporting documents and the fee), then book an appointment with VFS using your France-Visas reference number and the correct appointment category, and attend a VFS Visa Application Centre in person to submit documents and give biometrics. Diplomatic/official passport holders, spouses of French citizens and family members of EU citizens may walk in at New Delhi, Jalandhar, Chandigarh and Jaipur.

How to apply from India — step by step

  1. 1

    Complete the application form

    Fill in the France visa application form linked from the official pages below.

  2. 2

    Prepare your documents

    Gather the documents listed in the "Documents required" section — the common list plus the checklist for your visa category.

  3. 3

    Book an appointment

    Book an appointment as described on the VFS Global / embassy pages linked below.

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit at a VFS Global centre or other listed location: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin (Kochi), Goa and others listed below.

  5. 5

    Give biometrics

    Attend in person for biometrics where the official pages require it.

  6. 6

    Pay the fees

    Pay the visa fee shown in the "Visa fees" section, plus the service fee.

Steps follow the official pages in the Sources section; always follow the latest instructions there.

Before you apply

Visa fees

How much is the France visa fee for Indian citizens?

  • Schengen visa and airport transit visa - full rate

    90 euros

    Paid in local currency at the VFS centre at the rate set by the French authorities; kept even if the visa is refused

  • Schengen visa - children between 6 and 12

    45 euros

    Free of charge: children under 6, foreign spouse of French national, foreign family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals

  • Short-stay visa for Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Saint Martin and Saint-Barthelemy

    60 euros (35 euros for children between 6 and 12)

    Free of charge: children under 6, foreign spouse of French national, foreign family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals

  • Short-stay visa for New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte and French Southern and Antarctic Lands

    9 euros

    Free: foreign spouse of French national and family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals

  • Long-stay visa

    99 euros (reduced rate 50 euros)

    Reduced rate for students whose application was considered by a Center for studies in France; free for foreign spouse of French national

  • Long-stay student visa (countries with Etudes en France procedure, incl. India)

    50 euros

    Indicative; some special cases may give rise to different rates

  • Adopted child

    15 euros

    When the adopter (or one adopter in binational couples) is a French national; 99 euros when the adopter is not French

Service fee: VFS service fee 22 EUR per visa applicant (India), payable online in local currency at the conversion rate set by the French authorities. Optional services (India, rates inclusive of GST): Premium Lounge 40 EUR; Courier 550 INR; Assured courier 770 INR; Form filling 1 300 INR; Visa Preparation Assistance 3 000 INR; Prime Time 3 000 INR (1 500 INR per person for groups of 10+); Saturday passport collection 550 INR; Collection from Home 3 000 INR; Photograph 200 INR (4 photos); Printing/Photocopy 25 INR per page.

Checklist

What documents are required for a France visa from India?

All applicants

11 items
  • Printout of the PDF appointment confirmation letter
  • Valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages blank on both sides, issued within the previous 10 years and valid at least 3 months after the intended departure from the Schengen area
  • Copy of passport (original + copy)
  • Printout of the completed France-Visas application form (dated and signed) along with its receipt
  • Two recent ID photos in ICAO format
  • All supporting documents on the checklist generated by France-Visas with your application form, presented in the same order as on the checklist
  • Travel medical insurance (minimum cover EUR 30,000) for short-stay visas
  • Visa fee (payable in local currency at the VFS centre by debit card, credit card, UPI or cash)
  • Printout of receipt for any additional services purchased online
  • Optional: a factual explanatory note (max one page) with identity, passport number and France-Visas reference
  • Documents in languages other than English or French may need to be translated into French

Tourist stay of less than 3 months

1 item
  • Supporting documents as specified by the France-Visas visa wizard, mainly proof of sufficient financial resources (cash, traveller's cheques, international bank cards, etc.) for the stay and to finance your return

Business travel

3 items
  • Request letter, summons or invitation from your correspondent in France describing the activity, purpose, duration and location of the meeting, seminar or conference
  • Failing this, admission cards to trade fairs or conferences
  • Failing this, a commitment by the inviting organisation or company to cover all the visitor's costs during the stay

Student (long stay)

4 items
  • Must be over 18 and accepted by a higher education establishment (India is an Etudes en France procedure country)
  • Certificate of enrolment in the higher education institution that has accepted you
  • Temporary address for the first three months or permanent address
  • Option to upload digital copies of supporting documents on France-Visas

Reunion Island visa

4 items
  • Application via France-Visas
  • Duly completed CERFA form and required supporting documents
  • Personal appearance before the competent French consular authority
  • At entry: passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months beyond departure with 2 blank pages; proof of accommodation and funds; return/onward ticket; travel insurance covering medical and repatriation costs (minimum EUR 30,000)

Passport collection by third party

3 items
  • Photocopy of government ID card
  • Original ICR (VFS receipt)
  • Authorisation letter from the applicant

Photo

What are the France visa photo specifications?

Size
Not published
Background
Neutral light gray (not blue)
  • Two recent ID photos in ICAO (ISO/IEC) format; bring two photos
  • Do not staple the photo on the application form
  • Photo and 10 fingerprints are collected as biometrics at the VFS centre; children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints
  • VFS photograph service available: 200 INR for 4 photographs

Insurance

Is travel medical insurance required for a France visa?

Required

Travel Medical Insurance is compulsory for Schengen visas (VFS). For one or two entries: cover for emergency medical, hospitalisation and repatriation (including death), minimum EUR 30,000, valid for the entire Schengen area and the whole stay. For multiple-entry visas, proof of cover for the first intended visit plus a signed statement in the application form. VFS offers Schengen-compliant insurance via a third-party partner (optional).

Processing

How long does France visa processing take?

Schengen short-stay (general rule)
Decided within 15 calendar days of lodging; may be extended up to 45 calendar days in individual cases
When to apply - short stay (Indian passport holders born in India)
At least 5 days before departure per France-Visas India page (VFS India advises at least two weeks); no more than 6 months before
When to apply - long stay
At least 1 month before departure; no more than 3 months before arrival (VFS FAQ)
All categories
Processing times vary by nationality, purpose of stay, personal situation and local conditions; certain visa types need special checks that may extend processing

Visa types

Which France visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

Short-stay visa (uniform Schengen, up to 90 days in any 180-day period)

  • Tourism / private stay (tourist stay of less than 3 months)
  • Business travel
  • Family visit
  • Short training programmes, internships, conferences and corporate meetings
  • Remunerated activities not exceeding 90 days
  • Transit through France outside the airport international zone

Short-stay visa for non-European French territories (separate national visa)

  • Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Saint Martin and Saint-Barthelemy
  • New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte and French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Long-stay visa (more than 90 days; valid 3 months to 1 year)

  • Long-stay visa valid as residence permit (VLS-TS)
  • Long-stay visa 'residence card to be applied for within 2 months of arrival'
  • Temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T)
  • Tourist stay of more than 3 months
  • Stay for medical care
  • Volunteering
  • Salaried employment
  • Self employed person or liberal activity
  • Young employees
  • Job search / business creation
  • International talents (Talent Passport)
  • Student
  • Young 'au pair'
  • School-going minor
  • Student trainee
  • Adoption
  • Family of French national
  • Family of European national
  • Family of foreign national residing in France
  • Working holiday ('vacances-travail')
  • Return visa

Airport transit visa

  • Not required for Indian ordinary passport holders remaining in the international zone of French airports (from 10 April 2026)

VFS appointment categories (as listed on VFS India 'Visa types' page)

  • French and EU family members
  • Family reunification
  • Studies in France
  • Crew or staff working for a transportation company
  • Business travel or for another professional reason
  • Holder of a residence permit in France
  • Holder of diplomatic or service passport

Where to apply

Where do Indian citizens apply for a France visa?

  • Ahmedabad
  • Bengaluru
  • Chandigarh
  • Chennai
  • Cochin (Kochi)
  • Goa
  • Hyderabad
  • Jaipur
  • Jalandhar
  • Kolkata
  • Mumbai
  • New Delhi
  • Puducherry
  • Pune
  • Coimbatore (temporary service point, Saturdays)
  • Guwahati (temporary service point, Fridays)
  • Mangalore (temporary service point, Saturdays)
  • Vishakhapatnam (temporary service point, Saturdays)

FAQ

France visa for Indians — frequently asked questions

Answers built only from the VFS Global and embassy pages listed in the Sources section.

How much is the France visa fee for Indian citizens?

Schengen visa and airport transit visa - full rate: 90 euros; Schengen visa - children between 6 and 12: 45 euros; Short-stay visa for Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Saint Martin and Saint-Barthelemy: 60 euros (35 euros for children between 6 and 12). 4 more fee rows are listed on this page. Service fee: VFS service fee 22 EUR per visa applicant (India), payable online in local currency at the conversion rate set by the French authorities. Optional services (India, rates inclusive of GST): Premium Lounge 40 EUR; Courier 550 INR; Assured courier 770 INR; Form filling 1 300 INR; Visa Preparation Assistance 3 000 INR; Prime Time 3 000 INR (1 500 INR per person for groups of 10+); Saturday passport collection 550 INR; Collection from Home 3 000 INR; Photograph 200 INR (4 photos); Printing/Photocopy 25 INR per page..

What documents are required for a France visa from India?

Printout of the PDF appointment confirmation letter; Valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages blank on both sides, issued within the previous 10 years and valid at least 3 months after the intended departure from the Schengen area; Copy of passport (original + copy); Printout of the completed France-Visas application form (dated and signed) along with its receipt; Two recent ID photos in ICAO format; All supporting documents on the checklist generated by France-Visas with your application form, presented in the same order as on the checklist. Plus 5 more items listed on this page. Category-specific checklists are listed for 5 visa categories.

How long does France visa processing take for Indians?

Schengen short-stay (general rule): Decided within 15 calendar days of lodging; may be extended up to 45 calendar days in individual cases; When to apply - short stay (Indian passport holders born in India): At least 5 days before departure per France-Visas India page (VFS India advises at least two weeks); no more than 6 months before; When to apply - long stay: At least 1 month before departure; no more than 3 months before arrival (VFS FAQ).

Where do Indian citizens apply for a France visa?

Applications go via VFS Global + embassy. Locations listed: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin (Kochi), Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Puducherry, Pune, Coimbatore (temporary service point, Saturdays), Guwahati (temporary service point, Fridays), Mangalore (temporary service point, Saturdays), Vishakhapatnam (temporary service point, Saturdays).

What photo size is required for a France visa?

Background: Neutral light gray (not blue).

Is travel medical insurance required for a France visa?

Yes. Travel Medical Insurance is compulsory for Schengen visas (VFS). For one or two entries: cover for emergency medical, hospitalisation and repatriation (including death), minimum EUR 30,000, valid for the entire Schengen area and the whole stay. For multiple-entry visas, proof of cover for the first intended visit plus a signed statement in the application form. VFS offers Schengen-compliant insurance via a third-party partner (optional).

Which France visa types can Indian citizens apply for?

Short-stay visa (uniform Schengen, up to 90 days in any 180-day period), Short-stay visa for non-European French territories (separate national visa), Long-stay visa (more than 90 days; valid 3 months to 1 year), Airport transit visa and VFS appointment categories (as listed on VFS India 'Visa types' page). 37 visa types are listed on this page.

Sources

Sources

Machine-readable version: /visa/india/france/markdown

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