France Visa Requirements for Indian Citizens

Visa Info

• Visa Type: Standard Visa
• Entry Type: Single Entry
• Maximum Stay: 90 days per 180-day period
• Visa Validity: 6 months from issue
• Visa Fee: ₹7200
• Processing Time: 15 working days
• Photo Spec: 35x45mm, White bg

Authority & Access

• Issuing Authority: Embassy of France, New Delhi
• Processor: TLScontact
• Official Portal: Visit portal

Document Checklist

Standard Visa e-Visa (where available) Long-stay Visa

Salaried Self-employed Business owner Student Homemaker Retired

Valid passport — minimum 3 months validity beyond your trip end date, with 2+ blank pages Passport-size photographs — 35x45mm, White background Completed visa application form — printed, signed, and dated Appointment confirmation slip from VFS Global / BLS / embassy Confirmed return flight tickets (printed copy) Proof of accommodation — hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter Travel insurance covering the full stay duration Bank statements for the last 3 months ITR for 2 years Salary slips for the last 3 months Visa fee payment — ₹7200

Sample cover letter for France Standard Visa

To,
The Visa Officer
Embassy of France, New Delhi

Subject: Application for Standard Visa — France

Dear Visa Officer,

I, [YOUR FULL NAME], a citizen of India (Passport No. [XXXXXXXX], valid
until [DD/MM/YYYY]), respectfully submit my application for a Standard Visa
to France.

PURPOSE OF VISIT
The purpose of my visit is [tourism / business / attending a conference /
visiting family or friends]. I plan to travel from [DEPARTURE DATE] to
[RETURN DATE], a total stay of approximately [XX] days.

ACCOMMODATION
I will be staying at [Hotel name and address / Name and address of host].

FINANCIAL CAPABILITY
I have adequate financial resources to support my stay in France and
my return to India. Supporting bank statements and financial documents are
enclosed.

I solemnly affirm that I will comply with all visa conditions and depart
from France on or before the expiry of my visa. I have strong ties
to India — [employment / business / property / family] — that ensure my
timely return.

All required supporting documents are enclosed as per the requirements of
Embassy of France, New Delhi.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[Date]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

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Where to Apply

Your application must be submitted to the consular office responsible for your Indian state of residence.

Embassy of France, New Delhi (via TLScontact)

Delhi · Haryana · Himachal Pradesh · Jammu & Kashmir · Ladakh · Punjab · Rajasthan · Uttar Pradesh · Uttarakhand

Consulate General of France, Mumbai (via TLScontact)

Goa · Gujarat · Maharashtra · Madhya Pradesh · Chhattisgarh

Consulate General of France, Bengaluru (via TLScontact)

Karnataka · Kerala · Tamil Nadu · Andhra Pradesh · Telangana · Puducherry

Consulate General of France, Kolkata (via TLScontact)

Assam · Bihar · Jharkhand · Odisha · West Bengal · Sikkim · Meghalaya · Manipur · Mizoram · Nagaland · Tripura · Arunachal Pradesh

Transit Rules

Transit visa required: Yes

Exceptions: - Airside Transit Visa (ATV) exemption if holding valid visa or residence permit from EU/EEA, US, Canada, Japan, or UK - Transit without visa if connecting flight departs within 24 hours and passenger does not leave the international zone

Note: Paris CDG has an international transit zone. Passengers transiting to non-Schengen destinations may not need to clear immigration.

Visa Exemptions & Indian Privilege

Indian passport holders may qualify for simplified or waived visa requirements if they hold certain third-party visas or travel documents.

If you hold	Valid Schengen Visa (any country)
You get	Can enter France without a separate French visa
Conditions	Schengen visa must be valid and issued by any Schengen member state
Source	Verify ↗

If you hold	Valid US Visa + France transit
You get	Airside transit without visa for flights to/from the Americas
Conditions	Must hold a valid US visa and transit within 24 hours. Cannot leave the international zone.
Source	Verify ↗

If you hold	French Residence Permit (Titre de Séjour)
You get	Re-entry without visa during permit validity
Conditions	Residence permit must be valid. Does not apply to récépissé (receipt).
Source	Verify ↗

ECR / Non-ECR Passport

ECR rules apply: Yes — read carefully

ECR passport holders travelling to France for employment must obtain Emigration Clearance from the Protector of Emigrants. Tourist and business visa applicants are not affected.

Public Health & Vaccinations

Recommended Vaccinations: Routine vaccinations (MMR, DPT, Polio). Hepatitis A for first-time travellers.

Health Insurance: Schengen travel insurance mandatory — minimum EUR 30,000 medical coverage.

Advisory: Excellent healthcare. Pharmacies (green cross) widely available.

Biometrics

Biometrics required: Yes

Validity: 59 months — if previously captured within this period at any participating center, you may not need to appear in person.

Schengen VIS biometrics (10 fingerprints + photograph) valid for 59 months. If captured within the last 59 months at any Schengen consulate, you do not need to appear in person again.

Change Log

Date	Type	Change	Source
2026-02-01	Fee	Schengen short-stay visa fee increased to €90 (~₹7,200)	↗
2025-12-15	Policy	Schengen visa validity extended to 5 years for frequent Indian travellers with clean record	↗
2025-09-01	Process	TLScontact online appointment system updated — new slot booking interface	↗

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Data is verified against official consular sources.