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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 15, 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. Applications must be lodged in the country where you legally reside, so Indians living abroad apply to the French consulate or its provider there (France-Visas FAQ).

Visa on arrival, eVisa or visa-free for Indians?

Visa on arrival
Not available: India is listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so Indian nationals must hold a Schengen visa obtained before travel (applied for via France-Visas and VFS in India). Since 10 April 2026 Indian ordinary-passport holders no longer need an airport transit visa when staying in the international zone of French airports.
eVisa / online visa
Not available: France issues no eVisa to Indians. The application form is filled online on France-Visas, but the application only takes effect when the file is submitted in person at a VFS centre (with biometrics unless exempt), and the visa is affixed to the passport.
Visa-free entry
Not available: India is in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so Indian ordinary-passport holders need a visa for France; France-Visas lists only Indian diplomatic-passport holders as exempt from the short-stay visa. Since 10 April 2026 no airport transit visa is needed when staying in the international zone of French airports.

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.

  7. 7

    Track your application

    Track the application status as described on the official pages.

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

  • Campus France 'Etudes en France' (EEF) procedure fee - long-stay students

    INR 20,000

    Official INR fee published by Campus France India, effective 1 August 2026 (previously INR 18,500); paid only after the EEF file is validated, via the link from the official platform

  • VLS-TS validation tax - salaried employee (paid online in France within 3 months of arrival)

    300 euros

    Payable in addition to the 99-euro long-stay visa fee (service-public.fr, verified 1 May 2026)

  • 'Talent' multi-year residence card (applied for online in France after arrival on a 3-month 'talent' visa, for stays of 1 year or more)

    350 euros (50 euros stamp duty + 300 euros tax)

    Paid by tax stamps when the card is issued (service-public.fr, verified 1 June 2026)

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. Collection from Home is only for applicants exempt from biometrics (holders of a Schengen visa whose fingerprints were registered in the last 59 months, children under 12).

Checklist

What documents are required for a France visa from India?

All applicants

12 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
  • During the examination the consulate may, in individual cases, request additional documents and call you for an interview (Common Information Sheet)

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 someone else (allowed only for an immediate family member - parent, child, sibling, spouse; one member of a group collecting for the group; an authorised person for official/diplomatic passport holders; or a company representative)

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

Proof of means of subsistence - Schengen short stay (EU Visa Code Handbook)

6 items
  • Recent bank account statements showing movements over at least the last three months
  • Salary slips
  • Certificate of employment
  • Credit card(s) and a credit card account statement, or traveller's cheques
  • Proof of sponsorship or private accommodation, or a prepaid hotel reservation
  • If paying for the trip yourself: proof of personal resources, e.g. salary slips and bank statements; consulates may check the reliability and stability of amounts credited to a bank statement

5-year alumni short-stay visa (Campus France India)

3 items
  • All documents required for a tourist/private or business short-stay visa (per France-Visas)
  • Copy of the Master's (or higher) degree
  • Proof of at least one semester of study in France (e.g. certificate from the French institution), and if possible a document certifying the duration of the academic stay

Proof of means of subsistence (France-Visas FAQ)

4 items
  • Personal bank statements for the last 3 months
  • Last 3 pay slips
  • Credit/debit card statements
  • Traveller's cheques

Reference amounts for means of subsistence - France (European Commission table, 8 June 2026)

4 items
  • EUR 65 minimum per day and per person
  • EUR 32.50 per day - persons holding proof of accommodation
  • EUR 120 per day - persons holding no proof of accommodation
  • Where a hotel reservation covers part of the stay: EUR 65 for that period and EUR 120 for the rest

Family of French national (France-Visas)

5 items
  • Spouse, stay up to 90 days: proof of marital status and the spouse's French nationality (short-stay visa)
  • Spouse, longer stay: also proof of community of life and the intention to maintain it in France (long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit)
  • Child under 21 or dependent: proof of relationship, nationality of both parents, age and the French parent's residence in France; consent of the other parent for a minor under joint authority
  • Dependent older relative settling in France: proof of relationship, the descendant's French nationality, dependency, accommodation and medical insurance for the first 3 months
  • Foreign parent of a minor French child: proof of relationship, the child's nationality, age and residence, actual contribution to upkeep, and not living in polygamy

Student trainee / internship (France-Visas, Campus France India)

3 items
  • Training (internship) agreement between you, your training establishment and the host company in France
  • Placement over 90 days: the agreement must first be validated online by the French authorities at the host's request (Campus France: at least 2 months before the internship)
  • Proof of resources equal to the French Government scholarship basic monthly allowance, stated by France-Visas as EUR 615 (allowance paid by the company counts if the placement exceeds 2 months)

School-going minor (France-Visas)

4 items
  • Enrolment in a French school or training centre
  • Previous year's school reports and proof of French-language level (long stay)
  • Proof of accommodation, financial support and insurance
  • Parental authorisation and contact details of a guarantor in France

Photo

What are the France visa photo specifications?

Size
Width between 35 and 40 mm; face 32 to 36 mm (70 to 80% of the picture) from chin to forehead, excluding hair; ICAO standard (France-Visas FAQ)
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
Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS 'student', Etudes en France)
No separate student figure is published. France-Visas: decisions on visa applications usually take 15 days, extendable up to 45 days in special cases. Before the visa, complete the Campus France 'Etudes en France' procedure (file validation, fee, academic interview if applicable) and book VFS only after the automated Campus France email; apply as soon as you receive unconditional acceptance and at least 3 months before the intake (Campus France India).
Long-stay work visa - salaried employment (work authorisation + visa)
Two stages. 1) The French employer requests a work authorisation online; unless exempt, the job must first be advertised for 3 consecutive weeks with the public employment service, and no answer from the prefecture within 2 months counts as an implicit refusal (service-public.fr, verified 18 June 2026). 2) Visa: France-Visas says decisions usually take 15 days, extendable up to 45 days in special cases. Apply at least 1 month before departure and no more than 3 months before arrival.
Long-stay work visa - Talent / EU Blue Card
No work authorisation is needed for the 'talent' routes; France-Visas says visa decisions usually take 15 days, extendable up to 45 days in special cases.
VFS appointment slots
Slots per calendar are set by the consulate/Embassy; new slots open at random times; the earliest available date is shown when you pick a category; if none are available VFS cannot add appointments. Appointments are booked online only (VFS France FAQ).
Tracking an application
VFS sends an SMS when the application is submitted; track status on the VFS website with the reference number on the VFS receipt and your last name, or via France-Visas 'Follow an application' (VFS France).
Appeal against a refusal
Within 30 days of the refusal, by post, written in French and signed: to the Deputy Director of Visas for a short-stay visa, or to the Commission for Appeals against Visa Refusal Decisions (CRRV) for a long-stay visa, both at BP 83609, 44036 Nantes Cedex 1. This prior appeal is mandatory before going to the administrative court. No decision within 2 months of an application counts as an implicit refusal (France-Visas FAQ).

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
  • Stay for medical care (short-stay visa; medical costs not covered by French health insurance)

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
  • Exemption: 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 6 months to 5 years
  • Reunion only (Embassy notice of 7 May 2026): 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 (details sent to the Border Police at least one week before arrival)

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
  • 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

Multiple-entry short-stay visas for Indian nationals (who qualifies)

  • 2-year multiple-entry Schengen visa: Indian nationals residing in India and applying in India who meet the entry conditions and have obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years (EU Commission Implementing Decision of 18 April 2024)
  • 5-year multiple-entry Schengen visa: applicants who obtained and lawfully used a 2-year multiple-entry visa within the previous three years, if passport validity allows (EU Visa Code Handbook cascade); consulates may also issue up to 5 years in justified cases
  • Visa validity ends 3 months before passport expiry where the passport is shorter; consulates can shorten validity in individual cases
  • France 5-year 'alumni' short-stay visa: Indian nationals with a Master's or higher degree (from any country) who studied at least one semester in France on a long-stay student visa of at least 4 months; applied for at VFS with alumni proof; does not allow work

Long-stay categories: notes for Indian nationals

  • Young employees (young professionals exchange) needs a bilateral agreement; India and France welcomed the operationalisation of a Young Professional Scheme under their Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement in January 2024 (age limit and quota not published on pages fetched)
  • Working holiday ('vacances-travail') is only for nationals of the 16 agreement countries (Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Mexico, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Uruguay); India is not on the list
  • Return visa is for holders of a French residence permit who declared it lost or stolen abroad (France-Visas FAQ)
  • Temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T): issued especially to people certain not to extend their stay beyond the visa's validity; all long-stay visas are valid for 3 months to 1 year (France-Visas long-stay page)

Long stay

France study and work visas for Indians

Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS 'student') via Etudes en France

Study

For Indians accepted by a French higher-education institution. The Campus France 'Etudes en France' (EEF) procedure is mandatory before applying on France-Visas and booking a VFS appointment.

  • Unconditional acceptance from a French higher-education institution; apply as soon as it is received and at least three months before the intake
  • Complete the EEF file online (pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr), get it validated, pay the Campus France fee (INR 20,000 from 1 August 2026) and attend the academic interview if applicable
  • Proof of financial resources of at least EUR 877.50 per month (from 1 August 2026; previously EUR 615 per month)
  • Fill the visa application on France-Visas and book the VFS appointment only after the automated Campus France email
  • Validate the VLS-TS online within three months of arrival; it serves as the residence permit for the first year
Official page

'Talent - EU Blue Card' (talent-carte bleue europeenne)

Work

Highly qualified employment route. Indians living in India apply for the long-stay 'talent' visa at the French consular authorities (via France-Visas and VFS); the employer does not need a work authorisation.

  • Degree certifying at least 3 years of higher education, or 5 years of comparable professional experience relevant to the job (3 years within the previous 7 years for professions listed by ministerial order)
  • Employment contract of at least 6 months
  • Gross annual salary of at least EUR 59,373 (1.5 times the reference average gross annual salary)
  • Card issued for the contract length up to 4 years (contract under 2 years: contract length plus 3 months, up to 2 years)
Official page

'Talent - qualified employee' (intra-group mission or innovative company)

Work

For employees sent to France within the same company or group, or recruited by a recognised innovative company. Apply for the long-stay 'talent' visa at the French consulate in the country of residence.

  • Intra-group mission: at least 3 months' seniority in the group, an employment contract with the company employing you in France, and gross annual pay of at least EUR 39,582
  • Innovative company: recruited by a young innovative company or one recognised as innovative, in a role linked to its R&D project, with gross annual pay of at least EUR 39,582
  • Route 'qualified employee' also needs a French Master's-level degree with a contract over 3 months and pay of at least EUR 39,582
Official page

Salaried employment (VLS-TS 'salarie')

Work

For a job offer from a French employer outside the Talent routes.

  • The employer applies online for a work authorisation before you enter France
  • Once approved, apply for the long-stay visa valid as residence permit (VLS-TS) on France-Visas and at VFS
  • Validate the VLS-TS online within 3 months of arrival and pay a 300-euro tax in addition to the visa fee
Official page

Post-study job search / business creation (VLS-TS or residence card 'recherche d'emploi / creation d'entreprise')

Work

For graduates of French higher-education institutions at Master's level who want to look for a job or set up a business in France. Graduates who have left France apply for the VLS-TS at the French consulate; those still in France apply at the prefecture.

  • A licence professionnelle, Mastere Specialise, Master of Science (CGE-labelled) or another diploma at least equivalent to a Master's, obtained in France
  • Applying from abroad: within 4 years of obtaining the diploma (VLS-TS marked 'Job search / Business creation', validated within 3 months of arrival)
  • Applying in France: hold a student card and have obtained the diploma in the last 12 months; apply in the 2 months before the student card expires
  • Allows a 1-year stay to look for a job or create a business linked to your studies
  • During its validity you may work as an employee without a work authorisation if the job is linked to your studies and pays more than EUR 2,800.53 gross a month
  • Campus France India: under a bilateral agreement signed in 2015, Indian students can extend their stay in France for 24 months after their studies (a 12-month visa renewable once for 12 months)
Official page

Long-term resident card - EU (carte de resident de longue duree-UE)

Residence

France's 10-year renewable resident card for non-EU nationals after 5 years of legal residence; applied for at the prefecture in France, not from India.

  • At least 5 years of legal, uninterrupted residence in France on qualifying permits (VLS-TS, salaried, entrepreneur/liberal profession, talent except employees on assignment, private and family life, visitor); absences of up to 6 consecutive months and 10 months in total are allowed
  • EU Blue Card holders: at least 2 years in France on the Blue Card after at least 3 years' legal residence in France or another EU country on qualifying permits
  • Stable, sufficient and regular resources of at least the SMIC (EUR 1,867.02 gross a month); health insurance
  • Republican integration: French at level B1 and passing the civic exam ('carte de resident')
  • Card valid 10 years, renewable; allows work if issued in France
Official page

Family reunification (family of a foreign national residing in France)

Family

For the spouse and minor children of a non-EU national living legally in France. The resident in France files the 'family reunion' request with OFII; the consulate then issues the long-stay visa.

  • The family member in France must have resided there regularly for at least 18 months
  • The resident must prove sufficient and regular resources and adequately sized accommodation (checked by the prefecture)
  • Once approved, the consulate issues a long-stay visa valid 3 months, followed by a residence permit from the prefecture
Official page

Family of a French national (spouse, child, dependent parent, parent of a French child)

Family

Long-stay visa for close family of French citizens settling in France; spouses of French nationals pay no visa fee. Supporting documents depend on the relationship (see documents).

  • Spouse: proof of marriage, the spouse's French nationality, community of life and intention to maintain it in France
  • Child: under 21, or dependent on the French parent (studying, job-seeking or disabled)
  • Dependent older relative: must be dependent on the French national or spouse in the country of residence
  • Long-stay visa valid 3 months (or VLS-TS for spouses), followed by a residence permit from the prefecture
Official page

Young au pair

Other

Long-stay visa for young people hosted by a French family to improve their French.

  • Aged between 18 and 30
  • Host family of a different nationality and not related to you
  • Au pair placement agreement setting out working conditions, pay, French classes, subsistence, accommodation and insurance
  • Basic French and secondary-school education or professional qualifications
  • One-year VLS-TS; the au pair stay can be extended to a maximum of 2 years
Official page

School-going minor ('mineur scolarise')

Study

For under-18s whose parents do not live in France and who come to study at a French school; stays under 90 days use a short-stay 'studies' visa.

  • Under 18 on the first day of visa validity; parents not resident in France
  • Long stay: primary or secondary school, or a language or sports centre (ages 16 to 18 only)
  • Vocational classes (including apprenticeship contracts) are not open to non-resident foreigners
  • Visa allows 11 months, renewable for the duration of studies
Official page

Student trainee / internship

Study

For students doing a work placement in France that is part of a course in their country of residence. Placements up to 90 days use a short-stay visa; longer ones a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit.

  • Placement forms part of a course organised in your country of residence, an EU cooperation programme or an intergovernmental scheme
  • Signed training agreement (convention de stage) between you, your institution and the host company
  • Over 90 days: agreement validated online by the French administration at the host's request, at least 2 months before the internship (Campus France India)
  • Resources equal to the French Government scholarship basic monthly allowance, given by France-Visas as EUR 615 a month
Official page

Volunteering

Other

Visas for civic service, association-based volunteering and European Voluntary Service.

  • European Voluntary Service: temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) marked 'Volunteer'
  • Other volunteering up to 12 months: visa marked 'Temporary exemption from a residence permit'; over 12 months: 'Visitor'
Official page

Young employees / young professionals exchange

Work

For young people already working who want to gain experience in a French company under a bilateral agreement; the file goes through OFII with the employer's work permit request.

  • Your country must have a bilateral agreement with France (India and France welcomed the operationalisation of a Young Professional Scheme under their Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement in January 2024)
  • Already working and seeking to improve professional, language or cultural knowledge in a French company
  • Age conditions as set in the agreement
  • Application file submitted to OFII including the work permit request sent by the future employer; issued as a VLS-TS 'jeune professionnel'
Official page

Adoption

Family

Long-stay 'adoption' visa decided by the International Adoption Mission (MAI) where a foreign decision authorises the adoption and removal to France of a child by a parent usually residing in France.

  • Foreign decision authorising the adoption and the child's removal to France
  • Children adopted under local law by adopters residing abroad are handled as a minor of a French national or as family reunion
  • Fee: 15 euros when an adopter is French; 99 euros otherwise
Official page

Fees and processing times for these routes are listed in the Visa fees and Processing sections above.

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)

Which office covers your state

Embassy of France in India, New Delhi (2/50-E Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021; switchboard +91-11 43 19 61 00)
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand; Union Territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh; and Nepal
Consulate General of France in Mumbai (Wockhardt Towers, East Wing, 5th floor, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400051; switchboard +91-22 66 69 40 00)
Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra; Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu
Consulate General of France in Bengaluru (21 Palace Road, Vasanthnagar, Bengaluru 560052; switchboard +91-80 22 14 12 00), with a Bureau de France in Hyderabad
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana
Consulate General of France in Puducherry (2 Marine Street, Puducherry 605001; switchboard +91-413 22 31 000), with a Bureau de France in Chennai (6th Floor, Bannari Amman Towers, 29 Dr Radha Krishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600004)
Kerala, Tamil Nadu; Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Puducherry (Karikal, Mahe, Puducherry, Yanam)
Consulate General of France in Kolkata (21C Raja Santosh Road, Alipore, Kolkata 700027; switchboard +91-33 40 16 32 00)
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura, West Bengal; and Bhutan

Statistics & changes

France visa statistics and recent rule changes

Schengen visa refusal rate, applications lodged at French consulates in India · 2025
15.3% — 31,058 visas not issued; 204,184 applications lodged
Official data
Schengen visa refusal rate, applications lodged at French consulates in India · 2024
15.9% — 31,314 visas not issued; 197,959 applications lodged
Official data

Recent rule changes

  • Minimum proof of financial resources for a French student visa raised to EUR 877.50 per month (from EUR 615).

    Official notice

  • Campus France 'Etudes en France' fee for Indian students raised from INR 18,500 to INR 20,000.

    Official notice

  • Indian ordinary-passport holders no longer need an airport transit visa when staying in the international zone of French airports.

    Official notice

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). 7 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. Collection from Home is only for applicants exempt from biometrics (holders of a Schengen visa whose fingerprints were registered in the last 59 months, children under 12)..

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 6 more items listed on this page. Category-specific checklists are listed for 12 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). Jurisdiction by state: Embassy of France in India, New Delhi (2/50-E Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021; switchboard +91-11 43 19 61 00) — Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand; Union Territories of Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh; and Nepal; Consulate General of France in Mumbai (Wockhardt Towers, East Wing, 5th floor, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400051; switchboard +91-22 66 69 40 00) — Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra; Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu; Consulate General of France in Bengaluru (21 Palace Road, Vasanthnagar, Bengaluru 560052; switchboard +91-80 22 14 12 00), with a Bureau de France in Hyderabad — Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana; Consulate General of France in Puducherry (2 Marine Street, Puducherry 605001; switchboard +91-413 22 31 000), with a Bureau de France in Chennai (6th Floor, Bannari Amman Towers, 29 Dr Radha Krishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai 600004) — Kerala, Tamil Nadu; Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Puducherry (Karikal, Mahe, Puducherry, Yanam); Consulate General of France in Kolkata (21C Raja Santosh Road, Alipore, Kolkata 700027; switchboard +91-33 40 16 32 00) — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura, West Bengal; and Bhutan.

Can Indians get a France visa on arrival or an eVisa?

Visa on arrival — Not available: India is listed in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so Indian nationals must hold a Schengen visa obtained before travel (applied for via France-Visas and VFS in India). Since 10 April 2026 Indian ordinary-passport holders no longer need an airport transit visa when staying in the international zone of French airports. eVisa — Not available: France issues no eVisa to Indians. The application form is filled online on France-Visas, but the application only takes effect when the file is submitted in person at a VFS centre (with biometrics unless exempt), and the visa is affixed to the passport. Visa-free entry — Not available: India is in Annex I of EU Regulation 2018/1806, so Indian ordinary-passport holders need a visa for France; France-Visas lists only Indian diplomatic-passport holders as exempt from the short-stay visa. Since 10 April 2026 no airport transit visa is needed when staying in the international zone of French airports.

What photo size is required for a France visa?

Size: Width between 35 and 40 mm; face 32 to 36 mm (70 to 80% of the picture) from chin to forehead, excluding hair; ICAO standard (France-Visas FAQ). 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, VFS appointment categories (as listed on VFS India 'Visa types' page), Multiple-entry short-stay visas for Indian nationals (who qualifies) and Long-stay categories: notes for Indian nationals. 47 visa types are listed on this page.

Sources

Sources

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

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