Visa Types
Important Links
(Ministry of External Affairs, India)
Tourist Place
Visit France
Find out what documents you need to travel, visit family
And friends, do business, or transit through France.
What Is Schengen Visa?
The Schengen Visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to visit and travel within the Schengen Area, which is a group of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This means that a person with a Schengen Visa can move freely between these countries without having to go through immigration checks at the border.
To obtain a Schengen Visa, applicants need to apply at the embassy or consulate of the country they intend to visit or spend most of their time in. The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and can be used for tourism, business, or other purposes. However, the visa does not grant the holder the right to work or study in the Schengen Area.
Here Are The Schengen Area Countries As Of March 2024:
Schengen Area signifies a zone where 29 European countries abolished their internal borders(countries of Schengen agreement). Here is the list of the countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These countries apply common policies in terms of short-term visas.
Key Points for France Visit Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to France?
To visit France, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
France visa application is made online or offline?
This visa application must be made online from the govt official website
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a France visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain a France visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a visit visa?
On a visit visa, you can stay for up to 90 days.
What kind of visa will we acquire from France?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page on your passport
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
For short-stay(less than 90 days)- 80 euros (€), or about 7,227 INR.
For long-stay visitor visa( >90 days)- 99 euros (€), or about 8,943 INR.
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
Identify visa type:
- When applying for a visa to France as a Schengen State, it is crucial to determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, or education, to select the appropriate visa type.
- Consult the official website of the French embassy or consulate in your country to access detailed information on visa categories, requirements, and application procedures for Schengen visas.
- Ensure you meet the specific documentation, financial, and eligibility criteria for the chosen visa category to increase the chances of a successful visa application for France as a Schengen State.
Begin your application
To start your visa application process, visit the FRANCE-VISAS website and click on “2. Start your visa application.” You will need to create an account and answer questions online, which will fill in the visa application form for you. After completing the form, a list of required supporting documents and visa fees will be displayed. Then, visit the France-Visas page for information on scheduling an appointment. For information about Schengen Biometric Exemption, click the link provided.
Book your Appointment:
After completing your visa application, the next step is to book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information, which includes your fingerprints and photo. You can choose a Visa Application Centre that is convenient for you and make an appointment through their online booking system or by contacting their customer service team.
Once you have made the appointment, you will receive an email confirming the details along with a letter of appointment. Please note that if you are traveling with family or a group, you will need to book individual appointments for each member.
Pay your Fees:
To find out how much you need to pay for your visa application, you can click on the link provided on the website which will redirect you to the page displaying the visa application fees. If payment of service fees online is not possible, then you will have to pay both the visa fees and service fees in person at the Visa Application Centre during your appointment.
Visit a Visa Application Centre:
Attend your appointment as planned.
Unless otherwise advised, you must personally deliver your filled-out visa application form to the visa application centre together with your supporting paperwork.
Track your Application:
After you have submitted your visa application, you will receive updates on the status of your application. You will receive an email and an SMS notification when your passport has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. Additionally, you can track the status of your visa application online through the France-Visas website. To access this service, go to “4. Track your application” on the website and enter your reference number and last name.
Collect your passport:
After you apply for a visa and it is processed, you can collect your passport and documents from the Visa Application Centre or have them delivered by courier, depending on your chosen mode of delivery. Third-party collection of documents or passports is generally not allowed, except in specific cases like immediate family members, group collections, or company representatives with authorization. If you choose courier delivery, you cannot change to counter delivery and vice versa. If a letter is included with the passport/envelope, you must collect it in person regardless of your chosen delivery method. You will need to bring a government ID card, the original ICR, and an authorization letter if someone else is collecting on your behalf.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Here is a comprehensive document checklist for applying for a visitor visa to France across different categories, including tourist, visitor, business, and transit:
1. Valid Passport:
- Original passport with at least two blank pages and a validity of at least three months beyond the intended stay. Ensure that your passport is not damaged or expired.
- It should have at least one blank page for the visa endorsement.
2. Completed Visa Application Form:
- Visa Application Form: Completed and signed visa application form, available from the French embassy or consulate website.
- Make sure to provide all the required information.
3. Recent Passport-sized Photographs: (Optional)
- Provide two recent, color passport-sized photographs.
- Passport-size Photographs: Recent color photographs that meet the specifications of the embassy or consulate.
4. Travel Itinerary:
- A detailed travel itinerary, including flight reservations, accommodation details, and a planned schedule of activities.
- Include details such as flight bookings, hotel reservations, and any planned tours or activities.
5. Proof of Financial Means:
- Provide evidence of your financial ability to support yourself during your stay in the France.
- This can include bank statements, salary slips, sponsorship letters, or any other relevant financial documents.
6. Employment Documents:
- If you are employed, provide an employment letter from your employer stating your position, salary, and the period of leave granted for your travel.
- Include recent payslips to demonstrate a stable income.
7. Business Documents (if applicable):
- If you are traveling for business purposes, provide documents such as a letter of invitation from the company or organization in France, details of meetings or conferences, or any other relevant business-related documents.
8. Accommodation Proof:
- Evidence of accommodation arrangements, such as hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from a host in France (if applicable).
- This can include hotel reservations, a letter of invitation from a host, or rental agreement if staying with friends or family.
9. Travel Insurance: (Optional)
- Travel Health Insurance: Proof of travel health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros, valid for the entire duration of your stay in France. The insurance should cover medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Ensure that the coverage is valid for the entire duration of your visit.
10. Previous Travel History:
- Provide documentation of your previous international travel history.
- Include copies of visas, entry/exit stamps, and any previous Schengen visas or permits.
11. Proof of Strong Ties to Home Country:
- Provide evidence of your strong ties to your home country to demonstrate your intention to return after your visit.
- This can include proof of employment, property ownership, family relationships, or any other relevant documents.
12. Payment of Visa Fee:
- Pay the applicable visa application fee as per the current fee schedule.
- Keep the payment receipt as proof of payment.
13. Purpose of Visit Documents:
- For Tourist Visa:
- Detailed travel itinerary, including places you plan to visit and activities you plan to engage in.
- Proof of accommodation bookings or an invitation letter from a friend or family member residing in France.
- For Business Visa:
- Letter of invitation from the French company or organization you will be visiting.
- Details of the business meetings or conferences you will be attending.
- For Family Visit:
- Invitation letter from your family member residing in France.
- Proof of relationship, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or family photographs.
- Transit Visa:
- Confirmed flight tickets for your onward travel.
- Valid visa for your final destination (if required).
Remember that specific requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the discretion of the embassy or consulate. Always consult the official website of the French embassy or consulate in your country for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the visa application process.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
To apply for a France Visitor Visa from India, the following application forms are typically required:
Schengen Visa Application Form: This is the main application form for the Schengen area, which includes France. It collects personal information, travel details, and the purpose of your visit.
Supporting Documents: Along with the application forms, you will need to submit various supporting documents, such as a valid passport, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, financial documents, proof of employment or study, and any additional documents specific to your purpose of visit.
It’s important to note that the specific forms and requirements may vary based on your individual circumstances and the type of visitor visa you are applying for. It is advisable to consult the official website of the French embassy or consulate in India for the most up-to-date information and application forms.
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
The steps involved in applying for a France visitor visa from India are as follows:
- Determine the type of visa: Identify the specific type of visitor visa you need based on your purpose of visit, such as tourism, business, or family visit.
- Gather required documents: Collect all the necessary documents, including a valid passport, completed application forms, photographs, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, financial documents, travel insurance, and any additional supporting documents specific to your purpose of visit.
- Schedule an appointment: Visit the official website of the French embassy or consulate in India to schedule an appointment for submitting your visa application. Choose a convenient date and time slot.
- Pay the visa fee: Pay the applicable visa fee as per the instructions provided on the embassy or consulate’s website. Keep the payment receipt as proof of payment.
- Submit your application: Submit your completed application forms, supporting documents, and passport during your visa interview. Ensure that all documents are in the required format and meet the specified criteria.
- Track your application: After submitting your application, you can track its status through the embassy or consulate’s online tracking system. This will allow you to stay updated on the progress of your visa processing.
- Collect your visa: Once your visa application is processed and approved, you will be notified to collect your passport with the visa stamp from the embassy or consulate. Follow the instructions provided to retrieve your passport.
It is important to note that the visa application process and requirements may vary based on your individual circumstances and the embassy or consulate you are applying through. It is recommended to check the official website of the French embassy or consulate in India for detailed instructions and any additional steps specific to your application
Step 1 - Gather information on your situation
This website provides you with all the important information you need to know before applying for a visa online. You can find out whether you need a visa or not, what documents you need to submit, and how much it will cost you.
Step 2 - Set up my online application
To apply for a visa, you will need a valid travel document that was issued less than 10 years ago and has at least two blank pages. It should also be valid for at least three months. You will also need to provide two recent ID pictures in ISO/IECI format (pdf).
Once you have these documents, you can fill out the visa application form online. As part of this process, you will need to create a personal account and provide your email address. This will allow you to save your partially or fully completed application. Once you have completed the application, you will receive a list of required supporting documents and be able to book your appointment.
Step 3 - Book your appointment
Schedule a meeting at the visa application centre.
On the page for your country of application, you can find all the information you need to schedule an appointment.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
When attending your appointment at the visa application center, it’s important to bring all the required documents, including a copy of each document and the passport’s ID pages.
During the appointment, the service provider or consulate will review your application, collect the visa fee, and take your biometric data, which includes a photo and fingerprints. They will also keep your passport and copies of all supporting documents to forward them to the consulate.
The entire visa application process should take around 20 minutes at the visa center.
Step 5 - Track your application
After submitting your visa application, you can track its progress on the designated page for tracking. Once your visa application is approved and your passport is ready for collection, you will be notified by the visa centre where you applied. Normally, visa applications are processed within 15 days, but in some cases, it may take up to 45 days if the application requires further examination. In some cases, the passport can be sent to you via postal services.