France Visa for Indians (Schengen Visa)

Do Indians need a visa for France?

Ordinary Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (visa C) before a tourist trip to France. France is part of the Schengen area, so one visa covers the whole zone, but you apply to France only when France is your main destination or, for equal stays, your first point of entry. The United Kingdom and Ireland are not covered.

How to apply from India

Start on France-Visas, the official French visa portal: use its visa wizard, complete the online application form and print the summary with the document checklist. Then book an appointment at a VFS Global centre in India to submit the file and give biometrics (fingerprints and photo) in person.

Applications submitted in India are examined only by the French consulates in Mumbai, Puducherry, Kolkata and Bengaluru and the visa section of the Embassy of France in New Delhi; VFS collects applications but does not decide them. An agent or hotel can help organise papers but cannot influence the outcome.

Fees

The standard Schengen short-stay fee is EUR 90 per adult and EUR 45 per child aged six to under twelve, in force since 11 June 2024; children under six are exempt. The fee is paid in INR at the current consular rate and is not refunded if the visa is refused. VFS Global charges a separate service fee per applicant, so the visa fee is not the final bill.

When to apply

You can apply up to six months before travel. Under the Schengen Visa Code the general deadline is 15 calendar days before departure, and France-Visas asks travellers with an Indian passport born in India to submit at least five days before departure. Treat those as legal last resorts, not a plan: normal processing is 15 calendar days and can stretch to 45 when the consulate asks for more documents or examination, and appointment slots fill up in peak season. For a family trip, book the appointment as soon as dates are fixed.

Documents

The core requirements are a passport issued within the last ten years, valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area, with at least two blank pages; the France-Visas form; a compliant photograph; travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 for emergency care and repatriation across the Schengen area; and evidence of the trip, funds, accommodation and your intention to return, such as bookings, bank statements and employment or business proof. The consulate can ask for more. Fingerprints are taken at the appointment; children under twelve are exempt from fingerprinting but still need their own application.

Your visa and the 90-in-180 rule

A short stay is at most 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, and earlier Schengen trips count. Your sticker may allow fewer days, fewer entries or a shorter validity, so follow the sticker, not the general rule. A single-entry visa does not let you pop to London and come back on the same entry. The EU Entry/Exit System now records entries and exits digitally at the border; allow time for border checks. ETIAS, when it starts, will be for visa-exempt nationalities and does not change anything for Indian passport holders, who need a visa regardless.

Planning a parents' trip

Check every passport early for issue date, validity and blank pages. Choose insurance that genuinely covers the traveller's age and medical history and meets the EUR 30,000 Schengen minimum. Ask VFS about accessibility needs, arrange airline wheelchair assistance separately, and keep the appointment letter, bookings, insurance and hotel and return details together for the trip.

FAQs

Do Indians need a visa for France? Yes, a Schengen short-stay visa (visa C) arranged before travel.

How much does it cost? EUR 90 per adult, EUR 45 per child aged 6 to under 12, plus the VFS service charge, paid in INR.

How long does it take? Normally 15 calendar days after the appointment; up to 45 in some cases. Apply weeks ahead, not days.