Planning A France Holiday? Step-By-Step Visa Guide For Indian Travellers

For many Indian travellers, France is the ultimate daydream. It is the first sip of café au lait on a Paris morning, the hush of the Louvre's galleries, vineyards rolling under the summer sun in Bordeaux, and the Riviera's glow as the sea turns gold at dusk. But before that moment when you are standing under the Eiffel Tower or unwrapping a fresh croissant, there is a piece of reality to tackle: the visa. France does not offer visa-on-arrival for Indians, so the paperwork is unavoidable. The good news is that the process is straightforward once you know exactly what is expected. Here is a lifestyle-driven yet practical guide for Indian travellers applying for a France tourist visa.

Types of France Visa for Indian Travellers

When planning a trip to France, the first step is to identify the type of visa that suits your travel purpose and duration. Indian citizens cannot apply for a visa-on-arrival, so the application must always be made in advance.

• Short-stay visa: For holidays lasting less than three months and without any professional activity. This may be a uniform Schengen visa or a national visa, depending on whether you are visiting France's European or non-European territories.
• Long-stay national visa: Required for stays longer than 90 days.
• No visa-on-arrival: Indian travellers must secure a visa before entering France.

Preparing Your France Tourist Visa Application

Think of this stage as the travel checklist before the actual packing. Just as you would not leave for Paris without your passport, you cannot apply for a France visa without ensuring you meet all requirements.

Step 1: Eligibility and Online Application

Begin by confirming whether you need a visa for your intended trip. If yes, fill in the short-stay visa application online. You will need to create a personal account with your email ID to save and print the form. Once the form is complete, a list of required documents will be generated, and you can book your appointment online.

Step 2: Documents Required for France Visa

This is the paperwork equivalent of a suitcase. Each item matters:

• A valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, at least two blank pages, valid three months beyond your departure date).
• Two recent ID photographs (ISO/IEC format, 35x45 mm, white background, 80 percent face visible).
• Previous passports or proof of loss, copies of earlier Schengen visas, and a covering letter with your travel details.
• Proof of finances: six months of stamped and signed bank statements, three months of salary slips, and three years of income tax acknowledgements.
• Hotel bookings, return flight tickets, and travel insurance with minimum 30,000 euros medical coverage.
• Additional documents if you are self-employed, retired, a minor, or travelling under sponsorship.

Any document not in English or French must be translated into French.

Step 3: Where to Submit France Visa Applications

Once your documents are in place, they must be submitted in person at a VFS Global Centre. Centres are available across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Pune, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Jalandhar, Puducherry, and Goa.

It is worth noting that only French consulates in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, along with the French Embassy in Delhi, decide on visa applications.

Step 4: Timelines and Planning Ahead

Timing is everything. Submit your short-stay visa application at least five days before departure, but not more than six months in advance. For long-stay visas, apply at least one month prior to your travel. The standard processing time is approximately 15 days after submission.

What Happens on Application Day

Think of the VFS Centre as your boarding gate before the holiday begins. The steps here are structured:

• Appointment Confirmation: Print your appointment confirmation email and bring it with you.
• Document Submission: Submit all documents in the specified order, pay the required fees, and provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph). Children under 12 are exempt from biometrics, though their applications must still be submitted by a parent or guardian.
• Security Rules: Entry is restricted to applicants only. Items such as electronic devices, sealed packages, inflammable objects, and sharp tools are prohibited.

Visa Fees and Payment Options

Like budgeting for your Parisian dinners and train rides, it helps to know the exact costs of your France visa:

• Schengen visa/airport transit: 90 euros (45 euros for children aged 6-12).
• Short-stay visa for certain territories such as Guadeloupe or Reunion: 60 euros (35 euros for children aged 6-12).
• Long-stay visa: 99 euros.
• Short-stay visa for specific overseas territories such as French Polynesia: 9 euros.
• Service Fee: 22 euros per applicant, payable online or at VFS in local currency.

Payments can be made using debit card, credit card, UPI, or cash.

Tracking Your France Visa Application and Passport Collection

After submission, the waiting period begins. While it might feel like the longest part, it is usually smooth.

• Tracking: Use the VFS France Visa Tracking system to check updates on your application.
• Passport Collection: Passports can be collected in person or by an authorised representative. Courier delivery is available at an additional charge of Rs 300.

The French holiday you are planning starts here, not at the airport. While the paperwork may feel like a detour, it is the first step towards that moment you sit at a Paris cafe or drive along the Riviera. Once your visa is approved, the croissants and countryside are waiting.