France Visa Requirements & Eligibility

One of the most visited countries, France attracts travellers from all over the world. Abundant iconic landmarks and scenic landscapes make this country a desirable choice among tourists. Indian citizens intending to travel to France for tourism, business, family visit, or other short-term purposes need to apply for a Schengen visa.

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Types of France Visa for Indians

Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type "C") is granted for purposes of tourism, business, visiting family and friends, or attending conferences. The short-stay visa is valid for both single and multi-entry. Indian nationals must confirm the most recent visa laws and rules well in advance of the dates they plan to travel, since visa conditions are subject to change. To check the visa criteria and application processes, you can go through the official website of the French Embassy or Consulate in India.

 

Visa Type

Documents Required

France Business Visa

  • Application form duly filled and signed by the applicant.
  • Two recent photos in the size of 35X45 mm with white background and 80% face visible.
  • Original passport - valid for at least three months with minimum 2 blank pages.
    • All previous passport and proof of loss passport (if any)
    • The passport should be issued less than 10 years ago.
  • Copies of all previous Schengen visas with stamps, if any.
  • Original covering letter on company letterhead signed and stamped with purpose of travel, designation, passport details and date of travel.
    • In case you are self-employed - Certificate of Incorporation will have to be submitted. 
  • Invitation letter from invitee company on letterhead signed and stamped with purpose of travel, passport details, designation, invitee name and date of travel.
  • NOC from company.
  • Financial documents:
    • Last 3 months' salary slips.
    • Income Tax Acknowledgement for last three years.
    • Last six-month bank statements with stamp and signature on it.
  • Travel insurance - medical coverage minimum EUR 30,000.
  • Confirmed hotel voucher and flight return tickets.

France Tourist Visa

  • Application form duly filled and signed by the applicant.
  • Two recent photos in the size of 35X45 mm with white background and 80% face visible.
  • Original passport - valid for at least three months with minimum 2 blank pages.
    • All previous passports and proof of lost passport (if any)
    • The passport should be issued less than 10 years ago.
  • Copies of all previous Schengen visas with stamps, if any.
  • Original covering letter signed by the applicant with purpose of travel, designation, passport details and date of travel.
  • In case you are self-employed - Certificate of Incorporation will have to be submitted.
  • NOC from company.
  • Financial documents:
    • Last 3 months' salary slips.
    • Income Tax Acknowledgement for last three years.
    • Last six-month bank statements with stamp and signature on it.
  • Travel insurance - medical coverage minimum EUR 30,000.
  • Confirmed hotel voucher and flight return tickets.
  • For sponsor: Proof of sponsorship and a letter from the sponsor, financial documents as well as copy of the sponsor’s photo ID, (e.g. passport, Aadhaar card or driver’s license)
  • In case of retired citizens - Pension statements for last 3 months or proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business.

  • For Minor Applicants: 

    • NOC from School/University
    • Copy of Birth Certificate
    • Sponsorship Letter & expenses, Parent’s Marriage Certificate
    • Parental Authorization (If minor is travelling alone)

Is there a Visa-on-arrival in France for Indians?

France does not offer visa-on-arrival for Indian citizens. Prior to visiting France, Indian nationals are required to obtain a Schengen visa if they are planning to travel for business or for tourism purposes.

How to apply for France Visa online through Air India?

Please follow the below steps to apply for a France Visa:

  1. Click here to visit the AirIndia OneVasco website.
  2. Add and review the applicants’ details before proceeding to checkout.
  3. Once the payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation of your visa application. The OneVasco visa concierge team will get in touch to assist you further and ensure a smooth process.
  4. Once the required documents are submitted and verified by our visa experts’ team, your France Visa application will be submitted for approval.
  5. Once approved, a sticker visa will be affixed to one of the pages of your passport.

France Visa Processing time:

The processing time for France Visa for Indians is 15 days post submission. However, processing days will be calculated once all documents have been submitted in accordance with the embassy requirements.

How to track the France Visa application

You can track the status of your application on the following link -https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/fra/track-application

Visit the website of the visa application centre handling your application in India and look for the ‘Track Your Application’ tab.

Remember that the specific process for tracking your France visa application may vary depending on the visa application centre and the jurisdiction where you have submitted your application.

What are the France Visa fees and charges?

Below are the France Visa fees and charges associated:

Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C, for stays up to 90 days)

Fees for Adult citizens – EUR 890

Fees for children aged 6–12 years: EUR 45

No visa fee is charged for children below 6 years of age.

VFS service fees – INR 1975

The applicable visa fee is in Indian Rupees and as per the exchange rate of the Consulate.

Visa fee, VFS service charge and value-added service fee are applicable per customer and are non-refundable.

The France Visa fees can be paid in cash, online, or by debit/credit card.

In addition to the visa application fee, there may be a service fee charged by the visa application centre where you submit your application. This fee covers administrative costs and the facilitation of the visa application process. The service fee varies depending on the location.

Frequently asked Questions

Yes. Indian nationals travelling to France need to apply for a Schengen visa in advance. The Schengen Visa can be applied from the French consulate or embassy in India. 

  1. Click here to visit the AirIndia OneVasco website.
  2. Add and review the applicants’ details before proceeding to checkout.
  3. Once the payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation of your visa application. The OneVasco visa concierge team will get in touch to assist you further and ensure a smooth process.
  4. Once the required documents are submitted and verified by our visa experts’ team, your France Visa application will be submitted for approval.
  5. Once approved, a sticker visa will be affixed to one of the pages of your passport. 

If you are planning to visit France, it is necessary to apply for a Schengen Visa in advance. The Schengen Visa grants entry into France for business, leisure or family trips. It is advisable to apply for visa in advance of your planned travel dates to allow for sufficient processing time.

You can obtain a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for France and stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, this depends on the validity period mentioned on your visa. This visa is applicable if you are travelling for tourism, business, or family visits within the Schengen Area. 

The validity of the Schengen visa is usually for the duration of your intended stay, with a maximum validity of 5 years. The validity period of a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for France can vary depending on your application and the discretion of the consulate. 

No, if you have a valid Schengen Visa, you do not need a separate visa to enter France. The Schengen visa allows holders to travel freely within the Schengen Area, which includes France, for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

A flight booking is required prior to your Schengen Visa application, that will serve as proof of your intended travel dates and itinerary, including your entry and exit from the Schengen Area.

When applying for a France visa, there are specific criteria for the type of photo you must upload. As per the guidelines, photographs must be the size of 35x45 mm with white background and 80% face visible.

Yes, documents can be uploaded in either PDF or JPG format. Ensure that your documents are saved in one of these formats when submitting them for your France visa application.

The processing time for Schengen Visa is 15 working days post submission. However, it can vary depending on several factors, including the country where you are applying from, the time of year, and the specific circumstances of your application. 

The Schengen Visa Application form needs to be filled online and given for submission at the visa application centre with the required documents. Once the visa application is approved, a sticker visa will be affixed to one of the pages of your passport. 

Yes. Indian nationals planning a trip to France for business, tourism or any other purpose need a Schengen Visa to enter the country. 

You cannot cancel a Schengen Visa once it has been issued. If you no longer wish to travel, you can choose not to use the visa. The visa policies and procedures can vary, so it is advisable to check with the issuing authority or consulate for specific guidance on cancelling your visa application or the visa issued.

No. Visa application fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is approved or denied. This is because the fee is typically charged to cover administrative costs associated with processing the visa application, regardless of the outcome.

Refunds are not available for visa rejections. The visa application fee is typically non-refundable, even if your visa application is rejected. 

There is no timeframe that you must wait to reapply in case your France Visa application is denied. However, one must understand the reason for rejection and address the issues before submitting a fresh application.