An Indian has to apply for a visa from the French embassy at least 10 days before the date of entry in France. This is a mandatory requirement of law and he/she will have to provide some important documents while applying. The visa is valid for 3 months and multiple entries into France. For more information on this topic, please check out this link:  French Visa For IndianA French visa for Indian citizens is often required for travel, business or tourism related activities. Before applying, it’s very important to make sure that the visa requirements have been fulfilled and one should have all the correct documents.

Citizenship or Residence of India applying to foreign countries would be considered one of the most difficult task not only in France but all around the world. Thus, our services have been appreciated by people from various countries and background. Our visa experts can handle even the toughest Visa application for people from all around the world. We are providing our visa service across the globe. India is an attractive tourist destination. India or Bharat as it is known by Indian natives is a country of opportunities and dreams. French people usually come to India in the hope of expanding their horizons, experiencing new cultures and embracing the reality of a foreign land. If you are also planning a trip to India then this article will help you with your travel plans.

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

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)