One of the questions that almost every person who is coming to France has, is how do I get a French visa? A French Schengen visa allows you to visit France and multiple other countries in Europe. Similarly, if you already have a Schengen Visa, applying for a new one can take several months. If you’re considering studying or working in France, getting a visa might be one of your first steps. Get French Visa with ease and without delay by applying to a Visa Agency. Get the best service, low cost and accurate information from Visaforindia. We also offer a wide range of visa from different countries around the world such as USA, UK ,Canada , Australia, China and many others for different purposes.

France’s landmark decision in 2015 to abolish visa requirements for Indian citizens was greeted with celebrations across the country. This was the culmination of a series of discussions between the two governments and there have been, since then, attempts by India to strengthen bilateral ties via other forums.

French Visa For Indians

France Visa Application Requirements, Fees and Guidelines

Depending on the purpose of your travel to France, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion.

Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in France permanently, you will have to apply for a different France Schengen Visa, accordingly.

You can apply for the France Visa since 1997 when France, as a Member of the European Union, also became a member state of the Schengen Area.

Monaco – a European microstate/city-state located within France – is considered part of the Schengen Area although it did not officially sign the particular documents of the agreement. Besides, no border control is performed for the Schengen countries surrounding it!

On the other hand, Andorra is another microstate located between France and Spain that performs border controls, therefore to enter it you should obtain a multi-entry Schengen visa since you should enter the Schengen Area while going or leaving Andorra.

France Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, France and the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020. Entry restrictions are frequently changing based on the COVID-19 situation in other countries.

Read “Travelling to France This Winter – Current Rules and Entry Restrictions” to get the latest updates regarding France entry restrictions and other measures imposed by French authorities.

Who does and who doesn’t need a Visa to enter France?

Not every foreigner and not for every territory of France applies the same visa policy. As such, visa exemptions are greatly influenced by dissimilar factors, where the major ones are: foreigner’s nationality, the territory of France that the applicant seeks to visit, foreigner’s residence status in Schengen Area or specifically in France, the purpose of visit, as well as the duration of stay.

Speaking of France territories, the law separates them into three following parts, subject to dissimilar visa policies:

• French European Territory
• French Overseas Départments or Regions (DOM)
• French Overseas Territories (TOM)

Who Needs a French Visa to Enter and Stay in French Overseas Départments or Regions?

The following foreign nationals are FREE to travel WITHOUT French Visa for short stays (up to 3 months) to Guadeloupe (and its dependencies: Saint Martin, Saint Barthélémy), French Guyana, Martinique, Réunion:

• Schengen Area member countries,
• Andorra,
• Argentina,
• Australia,
• Bolivia,
• Brunei,
• Bulgaria,
• Cyprus,
• Canada,
• Chile,
• Costa Rica,
• Croatia,
• El Salvador,
• Guatemala,
• Honduras,
• Hong-Kong (titulaires du passeport de la Région administrative spéciale seulement),
• Ireland,
• Japan,
• Macao (titulaires du passeport de la Région administrative spéciale seulement),
• Malaysia,
• Mexico,
• Monaco,
• New Zealand,
• Nicaragua,
• Panama,
• Paraguay,
• Singapour,
• South Korea,
• St-Marin,
• Switzerland,
• The Holy See,
• The United Kingdom,
• The United States,
• Uruguay and
• Venezuela. 

*Note: Nationals of the above-listed countries CAN enter and stay in French Overseas Départments or Regions WITHOUT a French Visa, except for the following categories of foreign nationals, who MUST have a French Visa to stay in those territories:

• Nationals of the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Venezuela or Singapore who aim to work in these territories,
• Nationals of the United States who: aim to study there, hold a diplomatic or official or other service passport and aim to stay in these French territories in a diplomatic or official mission there, as well as those who aim to stay there for journalism purposes

All other foreign nationals of the excluded countries from the above list, CANNOT enter or stay in French Overseas Départments or Regions WITHOUT undergoing the French Visa Application procedure and getting the appropriate French Visa.

Who Needs a French Visa to Enter and Stay in French Overseas Territories? 

The following foreign nationals are FREE to travel without a French Visa  for short stays (up to 3 months) in French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, New Caledonia and its dependencies, (Terres Australes et Antarctiques françaises (TAAF)), Mayotte, Saint Pierre et Miquelon:

• Argentina,
• Australia,
• Bolivia,
• Brasil,
• Brunei,
• Croatia,
• Canada,
• Chile,
• Costa Rica,
• El Salvador,
• Guatemala,
• Honduras,
• Hong-Kong * (passport holders of the special administrative area exclusively),
• Japan,
• Macao* (passport holders of the special administrative area exclusively),
• Malaysia,
• Mexico,
• New Zealand,
• Nicaragua,
• Panama,
• Paraguay,
• Singapore,
• South Corea,
• The United States and
• Uruguay.

Nationals who can enter the French Overseas Territories WITHOUT a French Visa but CANNOT stay more than three (3) months or ninety (90) days there, come from the following countries:

• Schengen Area member countries,
• Andorra,
• Bulgaria,
• Cyprus,
• Ireland,
• Monaco,
• Norway,
• Netherlands,
• Saint Marin,
• The Holy See and
• The United Kingdom.

*Note: Nationals of the above-listed countries CAN enter and stay in the French Overseas Territories WITHOUT a French Visa, except for the following categories of foreign nationals, who MUST have a French Visa to stay in those territories:

• Nationals of Brazil, Canada, South Korea, United States, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore meaning to get a gainful job in these territories,
• Nationals of the United States if they: aim to get a job there, or, entering and staying there for journalism purposes
• Nationals of Hong Kong and Macao will need a French Visa to enter and Stay in the Overseas French Territory of New Caledonia.

All other foreign nationals of the excluded countries from the above list, CANNOT enter or stay in the French Overseas Territories WITHOUT undergoing the French Visa Application procedure and getting the appropriate French Visa.

General required documents for a France Visa Application:

• Download the France Visa Application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the France Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard copy.
• 2 photos must be attached; the photo should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background. Learn more about photo requirements and specifications for a French Visa.
• Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
• A copy of your return ticket reservation. It is not recommended to purchase the ticket before obtaining the visa – if not otherwise required.
• Travel visa insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within France and the entire Schengen area. In order to apply for a French visa, the French embassy/consulate requires a Schengen travel insurance policy that is valid in all Schengen countries. French embassy/consulate also requires the confirmation of coverage letter as the proof of coverage to be submitted along with other requested documents and France visa application.
• A cover letter stating the purpose of a visit to France and itinerary
• Flight ticket reservations. Find out how to get a flight reservation for France Visa Application without paying for the actual flight.
• Proof of accommodation for your entire stay in France. Book a hotel in France online!
• Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
• Means of subsistence – Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay. As the European Commission specifies, any foreigner seeking to enter France, since 19 June 2014, when applying for France visa must be able to attest to the France Embassy or Consulate possessing the daily money amount of 120€ if holding no proof of prepaid accommodation. However, if the applicant has a prepaid hotel, then this amount reduces to 65€/daily for the period of covered hotel accommodation, while the rest is 120€. Also, in case the applicant proofs cheaper forms of accommodation the amount decreases to 32.25€/ day.

UK residents, please read: How to Apply for a Visa to France in UK!

If employed:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Leave approval letter from employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary