Get Your France Visa from India: Application Made Easy

Are you planning on visiting France but don't know where to start?

Worry not!

After reading this guide, you will be able to apply for your France Tourist Visa from India easily.

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Yes. As an Indian citizen, you need a France Tourist Visa before entering France. France forms part of the Schengen Area. However, like all other Schengen countries, Indians must obtain a France Tourist visa to visit France.

As an Indian citizen, you need the visa mentioned above to visit France for tourism purposes or to visit friends and family in France.

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Applying for visas takes time and effort. Sadly, not all of us have ample time on our hands. So if you wish to save time and effort, I highly recommend using Atlys when applying for your France visa for Indians.

It's easy to use and completes the visa application in under 10 minutes. Simply fill out the form, upload your passport copy, take a visa photo with Atlys's tool for free, and pay the visa fees.

With Atlys, you'll be able to complete the entire application process within 10 minutes. Don't believe me? Try it yourself!

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Before jumping into the France visa application and France Visa requirements, let us address some of the most popular questions. As an Indian citizen traveling to France, here's what you need to know before applying for a France Visa for Indians.

If you already have a general understanding of the France Schengen Visa. Feel free to skip to the required documents or the visa application process.

What Is The France Schengen Visa?

The France Schengen Visa, also known as the France Tourist Visa, allows Indian passport holders to enter France for tourism purposes. Such purposes include vacation, site seeing, leisure, and so on.

Short business trips are also allowed under the France Visa from India. This means you don't need a business visa for short-term business trips. However, you can't work in the country. Acceptable business purposes include attending meetings, functions, meeting clients, etc.

Depending on your purpose of visiting France, you can choose between a short-stay visa (single, double, and multiple entries), an airport transit visa, and a long-stay visa (1 year, 3 years, and 5 years). In this post, I talk mainly about France Tourist Visa for Indians.

If your trip to France does not include tourism or business, you need to apply for another type of visa.

Some travelers refer to the France Schengen Visa as the France Tourist Visa and short-stay visa. These terms refer to a visa that allows you to enter the country (the only difference being the name). In this post, I'll use both of these terms.

​​Is The France Tourist Visa And Schengen Tourist Visa The Same?

Yes. The Schengen Visa and France Tourist Visa are the same visas. It all depends on what you like to call it. Nonetheless, this is the visa you'll need if you plan to visit France for tourism purposes.

How Much Is The France Tourist Visa Fees In India?

You can expect to pay the following visa application fees for your France Tourist Visa for Indians:

• For adults: INR 6 387,60 | EUR 80
• For children 6 - 11 years: INR 3197,48 | EUR 40
• For children under 6 years: Free

The amount is in the current exchange rate.

Please remember that you must pay an additional service fee of EUR 32.20 | INR 2,778 approx. at the VFS Application center and a convenience fee of INR 165.

But, if you apply for your visa using Atlys, you only pay a processing fee. You can do the entire France visa application process online.

How Long Can I Stay In France With A Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa will allow you to visit France for a maximum of 90 days within every 180 days. Always check the validity period on your visa sticker before traveling.

Remember, overstaying your welcome in France can lead to heavy fines, jail time, and even a ban.

Where Can I Apply For The France Schengen Visa?

It was possible to apply for a France Tourist Visa at the Embassy and Consulate General of France located across the country before.

But the application process is now majorly handled only by VFS application centers across the country and has to be online.

Once you have completed your France visa application form online, the last screen will prompt you to submit the application and book an appointment.

Don't forget to change the language from French to English.

I have explained more on this below, so you can directly jump to the section of How To Apply For The France Schengen Visa?

What Is The France Tourist Visa Processing Time In India?

The usual France processing time In India for a tourist visa is between 15 to 30 days. The processing time for France visas for Indians is much faster. Still, it is best to apply earlier in case there are delays or you can't find France appointments in India.

When Must I Apply For My France Schengen Visa?

At the latest, you can start your visa application 15 days before your planned trip. But, I don't suggest starting your application this late as you may have to provide additional documents or appear for interviews.

So, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before your trip. However, I recommend starting your application as soon as possible so that you have enough time should something unexpected happen (like a longer visa processing time).

Can I Travel To Other Schengen Countries With The France Schengen Visa?

You're allowed to travel to any Schengen state with your France Schengen Visa. However, in your application, you must clearly state that you plan to travel to other countries.

You can visit the following Schengen Member States with your France Tourist Visa:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

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Now that you have a general understanding of the France Visa for Indians, we can look at its requirements and application process.

What Are The Required Documents For The France Tourist Visa For Indians?

One of the first things you would need to do before you begin the application process is to ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready.

Here are the documents you'll need to submit to the France embassy:

• A duly completed and signed Schengen Visa Application form
• A valid passport or travel document with at least two blank pages. It must be valid for 3 months after your trip's end and issued no later than 10 years ago.
• One passport photo of yourself.
• A return flight ticket that proves you plan to return to your home country.
• Schengen Travel Insurance/Medical Insurance provides a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 and is valid for the entire travel duration. The insurance must cover the entire Schengen area and not just France. Also, Travel insurance must cover all COVID-19-related health emergencies.
• Proof of accommodation. This can be private accommodation, a rental agreement, hotel reservations, etc. Still, it has to cover the duration of the entire stay and all the Schengen countries you plan to visit other than France. If you have booked a packaged tour, attach a detailed travel itinerary. If you are staying with a private individual, you must present a CERFA form as proof of accommodation.
• Proof of financial funds. This includes a cover letter and a bank statement for the last 3 months, stamped and signed by your bank manager. A copy of the Income Tax Department Return + ITR V acknowledgment of the previous financial year and a signed and stamped leave permission from your employer.
• If you are self-employed, you must present a copy of your business license in India. In addition, the bank manager signed and stamped company income tax returns for the past two years and a copy of the company's bank statement for the past 3 months.
• If you own a business in India, you need to present the certificate of registration of the company (Form B, rule 5(1) or Form ST3, rule 11).
• If you are a student, you must present a copy of the enrolment paper that proves the applicant has planned to study in that school/university.
• Proof of employment/studies on official letterhead, stamped and dated.
• A cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip, what you plan to do, and when you'll return home. Basically, it just proves the purpose of your trip.
• Your employment status.

What Are The Visa Photo Requirements For A France Visa For Indians?

When submitting your visa application, make sure your visa photo meets the requirements:

• ONE passport-sized photograph must be submitted
• Not older than 6 months
• Must be 45 x 35mm in size
• High resolution and taken on a white background

It must meet the France visa photo ospecifications set out by France.

What Are The Minimum Financial Requirements To Visit France?

You'll find that all Schengen Member States have their own minimum financial requirements when visiting. This requirement has been implemented to ensure that visitors have the financial means to support themselves during their stay.

If you plan to visit France, the minimum financial requirement is to show EUR 120 per day for the duration of your travel. So, for instance, if your visit is for 30 days, you have to show a minimum of €120 x 30 days = €3,600 in total.

Remember, this is only the minimum amount. Your visa application will look much more compelling if you prove you have more finances.

What Are The COVID-19 Required Documents?

The health check system at the borders has protected the healthcare system and delayed the arrival into France. But, this system was removed on 1 August 2022.

So, the rules previously in place for travelers with a visa for Paris from India no longer apply.

• Travelers no longer have any formalities to complete before arriving in France, and the COVID certificate is no longer required, irrespective of the country or area of origin
• Proof of a compelling reason for travel can no longer be required
• Travelers no longer need to present a sworn declaration that they're not infected with COVID-19 and pledge to take an antigen test or biological exam upon arrival in France

But, if there's a dangerous variant, a system that requires a negative virological test when you enter France may be reinstated for travelers arriving from countries believed to be at risk. Covid requirements and protocols can change without notice; you can use Atlys's COVID-19 tool for updates.

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You now know the documents you must submit for a successful Schengen Visa application. Next, I'll walk you through the steps you need to take when you start your application.

Step 1 - Collect The Required Documents

Start collecting the required documents first.

Why?

It's the most time-consuming part of the process. However, doing this first will allow you to leave enough time for unexpected delays, such as collecting an incorrect document, finding accommodation, etc.

When gathering all your required documents, create a list of what you need to get. It's the easiest way to keep track of the documents you've collected.

Worried about gathering all the documents? Try using Atlys. You can fill out the information directly on your phone in less than 10 minutes.

Step 2 - Fill In Your Schengen Visa Application Form

Okay, so you've got all the required documents.

Now start filling in the France visa application form. Remember, all the information you provide must be correct and accurate.

Click "Access the visa application" on this screen and fill in your details. Once that is done, it will show you a detailed list of documents and the fee you would have to submit during your appointment.

At the last screen, you will be prompted to submit your application and book a France Tourist visa appointment at the nearest center.

Keep your passport close to you when filling out your visa application form. Always refer to your passport when entering your personal details.

Did you know:

Most visa applications get denied because of incorrect information on a visa application form. Here's a guide highlighting the mistakes you should avoid when applying for your Schengen Visa.

Step 3 - Find Where You Need To Apply At

As I mentioned, not all countries have a local France representative. Therefore, before submitting your application, you should always check where you need to apply.

Step 4 - Schedule Your France Schengen Visa Appointment

After you've determined where you need to apply, you must schedule a VFS France visa appointment.

Please note that you might not find a VFS France appointment time suitable to your needs. However, you can keep your schedule open for the next few weeks or at least until you find an appointment. This is another reason you should start your visa application procedure soon to receive your France visa for Indians in time for your travel.

We will discuss the scheduling and how to get VFS France appointments for the France visa for Indians later in the blog.

Step 5 - Attend Your France Visa Appointment

On the day of your appointment, visit the visa application center at the scheduled time. Arrive at least half an hour early in case there's a rush at the center, and make sure you have all the documents.

Once the visa officer checks your document, they might interview you for a short while, but there is nothing to be nervous about. Answer each question honestly, and it should be okay.

You can use your required documents to support your answers. For example, you can present your proof of accommodation if they ask where you plan to stay in France.

After attending your interview and submitting your documents, you'll be requested to submit your biometric information.

What's that?

It's just your fingerprints and a digital photo of yourself. This is not required if you've been to the Schengen Area in the last 59 months.

Step 6 - Receive Feedback From The Embassy

After completing steps 1 - 5, you're basically done. The only thing left is to wait for your visa to be processed. As mentioned, this can take between 15 - 30 days.

After it's processed, you'll receive feedback from the visa application center via email, a call, SMS, or your preferred contact method.

You can travel back to the visa application center to collect your passport if your France Tourist visa is approved. You'll find your brand new France Visa for Indians attached inside.

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As mentioned earlier, scheduling a VFS France Appointment can be difficult due to the lack of appointments available. However, you might have several questions regarding the VFS France Appointments, which we'll look at in this section.

What Are The Steps To Get Your France VFS Appointment In India?

The first step to a France visa appointment is to fill out the visa application form. Once you do that, you must head to the VFS website to make your VFS France appointment.

The France VFS appointment page looks something like this:

If you have already filled out the form online, you must click on 'View More' for the second option. Then, you must select 'I accept - Book an appointment now in India' to start your appointment booking.

You will have to create an account for VFS to make your France visa for Indians appointment. However, if you already have an account, you can simply log in and start the booking process.

To make the booking, click on 'Start My Booking' on the top right-hand corner of the webpage. Here you will have to choose the visa application center (VAC) and the type of visa you are applying for. Once you have done that, it will show you the earliest slot available for that particular visa application center. Again, this might differ depending on VAC and the type of visa.

Next, you will need to provide details such as France-Visas Registration Number, Name, Nationality, Passport, and Contact details. Finally, you must confirm those details and book your appointment date at the VFS.

While making the appointment, you also get the option to buy travel insurance. If you do not want travel insurance, you can skip the step and review your appointment booking. The last few steps will be accepting the terms and conditions and paying the visa application fees.

You must pay INR 2,588.00 online on the VFS website to make your VFS France appointment. Once you have paid the fees, you will receive your appointment confirmation via email.

Where Can I Make My France Visa Appointment?

You will only make a VFS France appointment in India for your visa application and interview. There are several VFS visa application centers across India.

Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, France VFS Mumbai, New Delhi, Panjim, Pune, and Puducherry.

To make a VFS appointment for your visa interview, you must visit the France VFS webpage. Here you can click on 'Book Now' and continue.

Can I Submit My France Visa Documents Via Courier?

Suppose you cannot submit your visa application at the VFS center. In that case, you can also use the 'Visa At Your Door' service provided by VFS. You can visit the VFS webpage and select 'Book Now' to have your visa application collected. However, you will also have to pay a premium fee of INR 18,035 per person for a maximum of 9 applicants.

Alternatively, holders of a Schengen visa who have already registered their fingerprints (biometrics) during the last 59 months (4 years and 11 months) with the VIS. As well as children under 12 years old, with at least one parent present, can opt for a Collection from Home facility if they meet the specified requirements.

However, suppose you don't qualify for the Collection from the home facility and don't wish to pay the hefty fee associated with the France visa for Indians at your doorstep option. In that case, you have to attend the appointment and submit your documents in person at the VFS Application center.

Please note that you have let the courier services for the return of your passport.

Why Do I Need To Make A France VFS Appointment?

You must make your France visa appointment to have your biometric information, fingerprints, and a photo taken at a Visa Application Centre in India.

What Is The Wait Time For A France VFS Appointment?

Depending on how busy the French Embassy is with the visa application, the time could be shorter or longer. The embassy advises that you apply for the France visa for Indians at least 3 months before your travel date but no longer than 6 months.

The peak seasons for visa applications are from April to July. And during these months, you should apply earlier for your France visa from India.

Why Is The VFS France Visa Appointment Wait Time So Long?

The France VFS appointment wait is long, mostly due to the number of visa applications they receive. Additionally, the embassy has a backlog of applications they must go through.

What Could Cause Delays For My VFS France Appointment?

Many VFS appointments have either been canceled or moved ahead due to the Covid-19 sanitary crisis and unforeseeable technical difficulties. This information is provided to the VFS application centers directly by the France Embassy or Consulate in India. Hence you must apply for your France visa for Indians well in advance should there be a problem.

How Do I Know Of The Delay For My VFS France Appointment?

The VFS application center will contact you in case of a delay or should your appointment needs to be shifted to a different date. Additionally, you can follow the VFS webpage for any news on specific application centers in India.

What Documents Do I Need For My France VFS Appointment?

Once you are ready to go for your France VFS appointment, you must have the following documents with you:

• Letter of confirmation of your visa appointment
• CERFA form
• Passport
• Proof of payment
• All the receipts
• The file with all the required documents

What If I Have Problems With My VFS France Appointment?

Suppose you have any questions or troubles with your VFS France appointment, such as changing the date or can't attend the appointment. In that case, you must contact them soon as possible. Your France tourist visa application will be rejected if you miss your interview.

Additionally, suppose you need a visa appointment soon. Then, you can opt for the optional visa application services on the VFS website. This will speed up your France tourist visa application, and you will get your visa for Paris fast.

How Do I Track France Visa Application In Indians?

Indian citizens that have applied for their France visa for Indians via VFS can track their application on the online tracking portal for VFS.

Alternatively, you can also visit the France Government website to track the visa application, depending on how you apply for it.

Apply for your Schengen visa using Atlys. You can track it via your phone, and the app also provides an estimated time when you can expect your visa.

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Now you know how to apply for your France Tourist Visa from India!

Enjoy Your Travels!