France Visa Documents

A Schengen visa for tourism permits Indian citizens to enter the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within six months for leisure travel purposes. Applicants may need to apply for a short-term stay visa under the tourist category. A travelling insurance plan is among the primary requirements for a French visa application, and failure to provide it will result in rejection. Other documents required for a short-term French visa application include the following:

• Filling out the French visa application form electronically, printing it out and signing it;

• Providing two identical passport photos that meet the specific requirements for the French Schengen visa application;

• Presenting a valid passport that is no older than 10 years and has a validity of at least three months beyond the intended departure from France and the Schengen territory;

• Submitting copies of any previous visas that have been issued to you;

• Obtaining travel insurance that covers medical emergencies in France and the Schengen area with a minimum coverage of 30,000€;

• Writing a cover letter that explains your reasons for visiting France and what you will be doing during your stay;

• Presenting a round-trip flight itinerary if you are entering France by air;

• Providing proof of accommodation for the entire duration of your intended stay in France, such as a hotel reservation;

• Submitting proof of your civil status, such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, or death certificate of spouse; and

• Providing evidence that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay, with a daily amount of 120€ if you have no proof of pre-paid accommodation or 65€ per day if you have already arranged your accommodation, or 32.25€ per day if you have cheaper forms of accommodation.

Individuals who are minors or parents of minors applying for a short-stay visa to France will need to provide additional documents with their visa application. These documents include

• The birth certificate of the minor who is travelling to France,

• A France visa application form that is signed by both parents,

• A family court order in cases where only one parent has full custody of the child, certified copies of ID or passport of both parents, and

• A notarised parental authorisation if the minor is travelling to France alone.

It is important to note that when applying at the French embassy or consulate in the home country, the parent or guardian must accompany their underage child. It is also essential to ensure that all of these documents are included in the visa application file to avoid delays or complications in the visa application process.

Depending on your occupation, you will be required to provide additional documents when applying for a visa to France. It is important to provide all necessary documents to ensure a smooth visa application process. The necessary documents are as follows:**

If you are employed:

• Your employment contract

• A current bank statement from the previous six months

• Written permission from your employer to take leave

• Your Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted from your salary at the source

If you are self-employed:

• A copy of your business license

• Your company's bank statement from the previous six months

• Your Income Tax Return (ITR)

If you are a student:

• Proof of your enrollment

• A no-objection certificate from your school or university

• Advertisements

If you are retired:

• Your pension statement from the previous six months

If applicable:

• Proof of regular income generated by the property for the last six months

Indian citizens travelling to the French territory in Europe for short stays will need to obtain a visa due to the Schengen zone common travel area, which includes France. To apply for a short-stay visa to France, you should follow these steps:

1. Determine the appropriate French visa type based on your purpose of entry.

2. Identify the French body responsible for visa admission in your country.

3. Complete the French visa application form.

4. Gather the required documents for a short-term visa to France.

5. Schedule a visa interview appointment.

6. Attend the interview at the appropriate French Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Center.

It is important to ensure that you have completed all the necessary steps in order to have a successful visa application process.

In order to apply online for a visa, you need to provide certain documents, including the following:

• A travel document (or passport) in good condition, which should be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area.

• Additionally, you need to have at least two blank pages on the document, and it should have been issued less than ten years ago.

• If it is for a long stay, the document should be valid for at least three months from the date your visa expires. However, in case of an emergency, this requirement may be waived.

• You also need to provide two recent ID photos in PDF format and the required supporting documents based on your situation and plan.

• You must pay the application fees when you file your application. If your home country is eligible, you can fill out the online application form and follow the instructions provided on the screen.

• Before submitting your application, you will be asked to create a personal account, including your email address, to save your partially or fully completed form.

• After completing this step, you will receive a list of required supporting documents and will have the opportunity to schedule your appointment.

ote: Documents in languages other than French or English may need to be translated into French.

Irrespective of the type of visa you are applying for, it is mandatory to provide two recent photographs, among other necessary documents. The requirements for the photo in a short-term Schengen visa application are as follows:**

• The two photos should be identical and no more than six months old.

• The dimensions of each photo should be 35x45mm.

• The photos must be in colour and not black and white.

• The head of the applicant should occupy 70-80% of the photo.

• The background should be brightly coloured, preferably light grey, without any patterns.

• The applicant should look directly at the camera.

• The facial expression should be neutral, with no smile and a closed mouth.

• It is recommended to avoid wearing uniforms or clothes that match the background.

Moreover, the Schengen states have outlined in detail all the photograph requirements for a European visa. Refer to the detailed requirements below provided by the Government of France.

• Format and Photo Size: The photograph size for a Schengen visa is fixed and unalterable. Both photos should be 35mm wide and 45mm tall. The acceptable format involves displaying the facial features of the applicant from the tip of the chin to the top of the head on both sides, with the face positioned in the centre of the photo. The applicant's face should fill 70-80% of the photo, with a permissible face height of 32-36mm, including the hairstyle.

• Note: Submitting photographs in different sizes other than the specified Europe visa photo size may result in the rejection of a Schengen visa application.

• Focus and Contrast: The photo of the applicant must be clear, with strong contrast, and in focus. Avoid using a blurry, too bright, or poorly contrasted photo.

• Brightness: The brightness of the photo must be uniform, and any reflections, shadows, or red eyes must be avoided.

• Background: The photo background must be a one-colour, preferably neutral grey, to provide the necessary contrast for the face and hair.

• Quality of the Photo: The photo must be printed on high-quality paper with a printing resolution of at least 600 dpi, and the skin tone must be natural. Creases and layers must be avoided, and the applicant must maintain a neutral expression.

• Facial Expression and Head Position: It is not acceptable to turn your head or angle it or open your mouth when posing for the photo. The only acceptable way to pose is by keeping a neutral expression, looking directly at the camera with your eyes open and mouth closed.

• Eyes and Line of Sight: When taking a photo, it is essential to avoid not focusing on the camera, closing your eyes, or having your hair obstruct your eyes. The only acceptable way to pose is by looking straight into the camera, with your eyes fully open and not covered by hair or anything else.

• Glasses: Avoid wearing sunglasses, dark optical glasses, or glasses with frames that cover your eyes or cause flash reflection. Only photos where the applicant's eyes are fully visible and not covered by glasses frames are accepted.

• Headwear: Do not wear hats, headwear that covers your face, or anything that casts a shadow on your face, as they are not allowed. The only exception is for religious headwear, and even then, the face must be visible from the lower tip of the chin to the forehead.

As part of the Schengen visa application requirements, applicants must provide supporting documents such as proof of accommodation and flight reservation. It is necessary to bring all necessary documents to your appointment and have a copy of each document, including the passport and ID pages. The service provider or consulate will review your application, collect the visa fee, and take your biometric data, including a photo and fingerprints. They will also keep your passport and copies of all supporting documents and forward them to the consulate.

The entire visa application process at the visa centre should take approximately 20 minutes. To be allowed entry into France, the following requirements must be met:

• A valid passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure date,

• A valid visa,

• Proof of accommodation for the entire stay. The authority will verify that the applicant has arranged accommodation for the duration of their visit. This can be done through recognised forms such as a hotel booking or reservation, an invitation from a host with a copy of their passport as proof of sponsorship, or evidence of pre-paid tour with details of payment to the tour operator.

• Sufficient financial means (such as a personal bank statement indicating your financial movements, credit card, cash, traveller’s cheques, payslips, proof of employment, etc.)

• A return ticket or proof of ability to obtain one, and

• Any documentation regarding the traveller's profession or organisation they will be visiting if travelling for business purposes.

• Additionally, a travel insurance document that covers all medical and hospital expenses incurred during the stay in France, as well as medical repatriation costs and expenses in the case of death, is required.

In addition to the aforementioned documents, applicants for a Schengen visa may be required to submit additional documentation depending on the type of visa being applied for. It is important to note that original documents should be carried when applying for the visa, and that these requirements may vary depending on the specific country and type of visa being applied for.

For those applying for an Airport Transit Visa, the required documents include

• A valid visa (if required) for the final destination and

• A flight ticket for the final destination.

• For those applying for a Visa to Visit Relatives or Friends, the required documents include

• an Affidavit of Support,

• A travel itinerary that includes the purpose of travel and personal details,

• proof of means of subsistence, and

• A letter of invitation from a relative or friend residing in a Schengen country, including their name, address, and a copy of their passport.

For those applying for a Tourist Visa, additional documents required include

• a bank statement for the last 6 months,

• an Affidavit of Support,

• a travel itinerary including personal details and purpose of travel,

• and either hotel reservations or a formal invitation letter from a Schengen country resident.

The typical cost for a short-term Schengen visa is €80 (USD 84), and you are required to pay this fee when you submit your application at the embassy/consulate or visa application centre. However, children between the ages of six and twelve have a lower fee of €40, and those who are under the age of six do not need to pay any fee. Below is the detailed tabulated information on the different costs of a visa:

*The appropriate visa fee is calculated using the current INR exchange rate (as of March 2023). Without prior notice, changes could be made.

Note: Applying for a Schengen visa through a private visa application agency like VFS Global will result in a higher fee than the standard cost. These agencies provide services such as appointment scheduling and document submission at the embassy or consulate on your behalf and may charge an additional €30 to €40 per application.

The processing time for a French Schengen visa can take up to 15 days, but it may be extended up to 30 days or even 60 days in exceptional cases, depending on your visa application. We recommend applying for a Schengen Tourist Visa at least three months before the intended trip to ensure adequate time for processing all necessary documentation and the traveller's request.

The Embassy or Consulate typically responds within ten working days, although the processing time may be shorter. In certain situations, such as unusual political circumstances or unique individual cases, the processing time may be extended up to two months.

Information last updated Aug '23. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.