Find out what documents you need to travel, visit family And friends, do business, or transit through France.
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.
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.
To visit France, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
This visa application must be made online from the govt official website.
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a 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.
On a visit visa, you can stay for up to 90 days.
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page on your passport
Fee / Category |
Full rate |
Reduced rate |
Free of charge |
Schengen visa and Airport transit visa |
90 euros |
45 euros1 (children between the age of 6 and 12) |
Children under the age of 6, foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
Short-stay visa for Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion , Saint Martin and Saint-Barthélemy |
60 euros |
35 euros (children between the age of 6 and 12) |
Children under the age of 6, foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
Long-stay visa |
99 euros |
50 euros2 |
Foreign spouse of French national. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
Adopted child |
15 euros3 |
-- |
-- |
Short-stay visa for New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte and French Southern and Antarctic Lands |
9 euros |
-- |
Foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
Let us walk you through the process
On the FRANCE-VISAS website:
At the conclusion of the visa application process, a list of required supporting documents and the visa fees will be shown;
For details on Schengen Biometric Exemption, click here
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
2. Completed Visa Application Form:
3. Recent Passport-sized Photographs: (Optional)
4. Travel Itinerary:
5. Proof of Financial Means:
6. Employment Documents:
7. Business Documents (if applicable):
8. Accommodation Proof:
9. Travel Insurance: (Optional)
10. Previous Travel History:
11. Proof of Strong Ties to Home Country:
12. Payment of Visa Fee:
13. Purpose of Visit Documents:
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.
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.
The steps involved in applying for a France visitor visa from India are as follows:
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.