France Visa For Indians

France is considered a major international power. In addition to this rank, the country is also viewed as an idyllic destination, offering a host of activities to travellers. Also, it has always been a country of historical importance. France is renowned as a country of high knowledge and education. It consists of several intellectuals considering it to be a paradise for art and artists alike. Because of all these, France is on the bucket list of most people along with some selected countries of Europe. But visiting France is not an easy task, for a French Visa is necessary to experience all that it offers. Read this blog to know about all the required documents to apply for a France visa for Indians.

Also Read: How to apply for a visa to France for Indian passport holders?

How To Get A France Visa For Indians?

Individuals keen to visit France need to follow these simple steps to get a visa:

1. Appointment – The first step is to schedule an appointment with the visa office. For this, you need to go through the official website of the visa application centre, where you can do pre-booking. Appointments are taken from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm, in either New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai.
2. Application form – Once you have booked an appointment, make sure that the application form is duly filled. You can download the form from the VFS website.
3. Verification – You will be able to sit for the interview on the date provided by officials. Approval of the visa will take place only if all documents are in place and other requirements are met.

Also Read: Know the Best Time to Visit France

France Visa Application

You can get two different visas from the French Embassy/Consulate in the country, namely short-term and long-term visas. If you are a tourist or an individual who wishes to visit the country on business, a short-term visa is the best for you. However, if you are an individual looking to stay in France for an extended period, you should get a long-term visa.

You will have to provide details like your name, nationality, date of birth, the purpose of visit, duration of stay, occupation, employment details etc. After this is done successfully, the Embassy/Consulate will process an application. There will be a direct submission of the form when you go for your appointment.

Documents Required For France Visa For Indians

If you are looking forward to visiting France, you will need to submit the following documents to process the visa application:

1. Original Passport – Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 3 months after the trip. Also, it should have a minimum of 2 blank pages.
2. You should submit photocopies of the address and photo in the passport (2 copies).
3. You will have to submit photocopies of visas for US, UK or Schengen nations, if available.
4. Your application form should be duly filled.
5. You need to have at least 2 of the latest passport size photographs.
6. You should have one duly signed cover letter.
7. Carry a photocopy of the hotel booking/sponsorship certificate.
8. Also, carry a photocopy of your travel itinerary.
9. Proof of income – It should be through copies of IT returns, and updated bank statements of the last 3 months.
10. Have a photocopy of the insurance policy (international insurance). Also, have an original as it will be required for verification.
11. You have to have a photocopy of the air tickets.
12. One duly filled and signed visa insurance form.
13. If you are a minor travelling alone, your parents/guardians should authorise the same through relevant authorities. With this, it is required to submit a copy of the ID of the parent.
14. If you are a student applying for a student visa, you should provide proof of enrollment.
15. No Objection Certificate (NOC) is required from the employer/college.
16. If you are a married couple wishing to travel to France, you should provide your marriage certificate.
17. A birth certificate is necessary for children under the age of 18 years.

The documents may vary depending on the type of visa applied. Also, know you could require to bring additional documents on a case to case basis.

Also Read: Castles in France: Top 7 most beautiful places to visit

Additional Documents Required For France Visa For Indians

If you plan to work or study in France for fewer than 90 days, you need to submit additional documents to obtain your visa:

1. You need to have an employment contract.
2. The current bank statement is also required.
3. Carry a no objection letter from your Indian employer.
4. Also, carry an income tax return.

If you are self-employed, you will need to submit the following documents to get your visa:

1. Firstly, you will need an income tax return.
2. Secondly, you will require a company bank statement.
3. Thirdly, you should carry a license.

If you are a student, you will need to submit the below documents to get your visa:

1. You will need proof of enrollment at an educational institution in France.
2. A no objection letter from your current Indian institution.

If you plan to study in France for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a national study visa:

1. You will have to provide evidence of your enrollment.
2. Also, you have to provide evidence of your plans to reside in France.

If you plan to work in France for more than 90 days, you will need to provide:

1. Evidence of a salaried employment contract. 

If you are highly skilled or earn high salaries like €55,200, you can apply for an EU Blue Card. It is for entitling you to work across the European Union. If this is not the case, you should check that your qualifications and skills match the requirements for your entry. In case you are studying, it is possible to apply for a work permit to work during your stay.

Also Read: France in October:- Travel Tips, Weather, and More

France Visa Fees For Indians

The fees depend on the type of visa an individual is applying for. You will get to know about this from the following list:

1. If the visa type is airport transit, the fees is INR 4,412.
2. For ordinary transit (short-term) type, the fees is INR 4,412.
3. For applying for a long-term student visa, you have to pay INR 3,676.
4. The fees for a long-term visa is INR 7,279.
5. To get a short-term children (between 6 to 12 years) type visa, you need to pay a fee of INR 2,574.
6. For the citizens from African nations, the fees is INR 4,412.
7. If it is a DOMs (Départements d’outre–mer) type, the fees is INR 4,412.
8. If you have a TOMs (Territoires d’outre–mer) type, the fees is INR 662.

The price in INR is subject to change with changes in currency rates. In addition to the above-mentioned fee, a service charge of INR 1,467 will also be levied.

Also Read: 9 Best French slang words you should know while visiting France.

France Visa Status Tracking

If you have applied for a visa and completed your appointment, you can check your visa status online. Also, with this, you will have to submit your receipt number and date of birth to see the updated status.

Also Read: France Travel Guide – Explorez la France!

Tips for Your France Trip

1. Keep French fashion in mind. Pack clothes that match the simple and elegant style of France. Have clothes that are versatile and chic.
2. Check the weather before travelling to France. Paris can become fairly hot in summer, so be prepared by packing light-coloured clothing made of loose material. You can experience quite a bit of rainfall from April through August.
3. Enjoy an Apéritif or a Digestif. France sometimes provides the best drinks before or after a delicious meal. An apéritif is a pre-meal drink, which is usually enjoyed among friends. A common digestif is a post-meal drink, which is also an espresso.
4. Shop at outdoor markets. You can save money and retain the French experience by shopping at outdoor markets. Here, most towns have an outdoor market or “marché en plein air.” 
5. Follow the Tour de France. If you are a fan of cycling, you will like to follow a route that takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of France. Tour de France is an annual event that takes place in July with a route through several notable cities and sites.

Also Read: Is France open for Indian tourists? – Know With the Most Latest Updates!

Frequently Asked Questions for Your France Tour

Travelling to France has never been so easy! Follow the simple steps mentioned in this ‘France Visa For Indians’ blog, and you can get to tour France in a hassle-free way. Nothing is stopping you from visiting the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Champs-Élysées and many more incredible places. Check the website Pickyourtrail to know more about France. Also, here you can find pre-packaged France packages. Moreover, you can also choose from International tour packages, which suits you the most.