Visa Status
Embassy Visa
Maximum Stay
90 days (within 180-day period)
Application
At embassy or consulate
Last Verified
2026-08-01
Indian passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa for France. The fee is €90 (approx. ₹8,100). Apply through the France-Visas portal and submit documents at VFS Global. Processing takes 10–15 working days. Travel medical insurance (€30,000 minimum) is mandatory.
France is one of the most visited countries in the world, offering the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the French Riviera, wine regions, and charming countryside. As a Schengen area member, France requires Indian passport holders to obtain a Schengen short-stay visa. The visa allows travel within the entire Schengen area for up to 90 days. This guide covers the visa process, fees, required documents, travel insurance requirements, and application steps for Indian travellers planning a trip to France.
Yes, Indian passport holders require a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) to enter France. France is part of the Schengen area, and the visa allows travel to all 29 Schengen countries. The visa must be obtained before travel through the France-Visas portal and VFS Global.
The Schengen short-stay visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This means you can stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days out of every 180-day period. The visa can be single or multiple entry.
The Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) is the standard visa for Indian leisure travellers visiting France. It is issued for tourism, family visits, or business, and allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Apply at the French consulate if France is your main destination (the country where you spend the most nights).
To enter France and the Schengen area, Indian passport holders need: a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen area and issued within the last 10 years, a valid Schengen visa in the passport, travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage, confirmed return flight ticket, hotel bookings, and proof of sufficient funds. Border guards may ask to see these documents.
Passport validity
Minimum 3 months beyond departure from Schengen area, issued within last 10 years
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C), valid for 90 days within 180-day period
Insurance
Travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage mandatory
Biometrics
Fingerprints and photograph collected at VFS Global (if not previously registered in VIS)
Documents required for the France Schengen visa application include: a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond departure from the Schengen area, the completed Schengen visa application form, a recent photograph (35mm x 45mm, white background), bank statements for the last 3–6 months, income tax returns for the last 2–3 years, travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage), confirmed flight reservation, hotel bookings for the entire stay, and a detailed day-by-day itinerary.
The Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) costs €90 (approx. ₹8,100) for adults. Children aged 6–12 pay a reduced fee of €45. Children under 6 are exempt. VFS Global service charges are additional (approximately ₹1,500–₹2,500). The fee is non-refundable.
The France Schengen visa application is initiated online through the France-Visas portal at france-visas.gouv.fr. After completing the online form, you book an appointment at VFS Global to submit your documents, provide biometrics (if not already registered in the Visa Information System), and pay the fee. The visa is then processed by the French consulate.
Complete the online application on the France-Visas portal at france-visas.gouv.fr.
Book an appointment at VFS Global for document submission and biometrics.
Purchase travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage.
Attend the VFS Global appointment with all documents, passport, and the visa fee.
Wait 10–15 working days for processing by the French consulate.
Collect your passport with the visa from VFS Global, or have it couriered to your address.
Processing typically takes 10 to 15 working days from the date of document submission at VFS Global. It is recommended to apply at least 3 to 4 weeks before your travel date. During peak travel seasons (April to September), processing may take longer. The earliest you can apply is 6 months before your travel date.
Schengen short-stay visas cannot normally be extended. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances such as force majeure or humanitarian reasons, and must be applied for at the local prefecture in France before the visa expires. Overstaying is a serious violation and can result in bans from the Schengen area.
Common mistakes include: not having travel medical insurance with the required €30,000 minimum coverage (it is mandatory), applying at the wrong consulate (apply at the consulate of your main destination), not providing a sufficiently detailed itinerary, not showing enough financial means, and applying too close to the travel date. Also, ensure your passport was issued within the last 10 years and is valid for at least 3 months beyond your Schengen departure date.
France visa information is published by France-Visas, the official portal for French visa applications. The official portal is france-visas.gouv.fr. VFS Global handles document collection and biometrics in India on behalf of the French consulate.
Last verified: 2026-08-01. Visa rules can change. Always confirm with official sources before travel.
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Important Disclaimer
Visa requirements change frequently. The information on this page was last verified on 2026-08-01. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy website or your travel agent before applying. VacationTrips does not guarantee that this information is current at the time of your travel.