How to Apply for a France Schengen Visa From India

Indian passport holders must apply for a Schengen visa before traveling to France. The application is submitted through VFS Global, France's official visa application center in India, after completing an online form on the France-Visas portal. France does not accept walk-in applications at embassies – the process is fully structured, appointment-based, and document-intensive. Getting every requirement right before your appointment is the fastest path to approval.

Step 1: Confirm You Need a Visa and Identify the Right Type

All Indian citizens require a Schengen visa to enter France, regardless of the purpose of travel. The correct visa type depends on your intended stay and activities.

For most travelers – tourism, visiting family, short business trips – a Type C short-stay Schengen visa is the appropriate category. This permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. The Schengen 90/180-day rule determines how many days you are permitted to spend inside the zone during any given six-month window.

Use the "Visa Wizard" on the official France-Visas portal to confirm which visa category applies to your situation. The wizard asks about your nationality, purpose of visit, and duration of stay, then outputs the exact visa type and the document list for your specific case.

If France is your primary destination or longest stay, you apply through France. If you are touring multiple Schengen countries and France is not your primary stop, you may need to apply through a different member state – the logic behind that determination works the same way whether you are applying from India, China, or the United States.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

The French consulate reviews applications against a defined document checklist. Missing or inconsistent documents are the most common reason for rejection. Assemble everything before booking your appointment.

Core Identity and Travel Documents

• Valid Indian passport with at least three months of validity beyond your intended return date and at least two blank pages
• Copies of all previous passports, if any
• Two recent passport-size photographs (35x45mm, white background, face covering 80% of the frame)
• Copy of your Aadhaar card, PAN card, or other national ID

Visa Application Form

Complete the application form online through the France-Visas portal. Print it, sign it, and bring the signed copy to your appointment.

Travel and Accommodation Proof

• Flight itinerary: The French embassy requires proof of your intended travel dates and route. A confirmed, fully paid ticket is not required at the application stage – a verifiable flight reservation showing your inbound and outbound journeys is sufficient. The flight itinerary requirement for a France visa specifically calls for a document that includes your name, flight numbers, dates, and a booking reference that can be verified by the embassy.
• Hotel reservation: Proof of accommodation for every night of your stay in France. A hotel reservation for visa purposes can be obtained without paying for the full stay – a confirmed reservation reference is accepted.

Financial Proof

• Bank statements for the last three to six months, showing sufficient funds for your trip
• Income tax returns (last two to three years)
• Salary slips or proof of employment (for salaried applicants)
• Business registration or audited financials (for self-employed applicants)

Travel Insurance

Schengen visa applicants must hold travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid for the entire duration of stay across all Schengen countries. The minimum requirements for Schengen travel insurance include medical repatriation and emergency hospitalization coverage. Purchase the policy before your appointment – the insurer's name, policy number, and coverage dates must appear on the certificate.

Supporting Documents by Applicant Type

Applicant Type	Additional Documents Required
Employed	Employer letter, leave approval, employment contract
Self-employed	Business registration, audited accounts, IT returns
Student	Enrollment letter, NOC from institution, sponsor's documents
Retired	Pension statements, property documents
Accompanied minor	Birth certificate, parental consent letter, parents' passports

The full Schengen visa document checklist maps every requirement by applicant category.

Step 3: Get Your Flight Itinerary Before the Appointment

This step resolves the most common anxiety among first-time Schengen applicants: whether to buy a full flight ticket before the visa is approved.

Buying a confirmed, non-refundable ticket before receiving your visa approval is a significant financial risk. If the visa is refused – a real possibility for first-time applicants – recovering that cost is difficult. Many airlines charge high change or cancellation fees, and budget carriers often offer no refund at all.

The French embassy accepts a flight reservation rather than a fully paid ticket. A verifiable flight itinerary for a Schengen visa application must include your name, passport details, outbound and return flight numbers, dates, and a PNR (Passenger Name Record) code that can be confirmed through the airline's system.

ProvisionalBooking issues visa-ready flight itinerary PDFs in under 60 seconds, with a real PNR that embassies can verify – starting at $15 for a one-way itinerary and $19 for a round-trip. Over 60,000 itineraries have been issued across 190+ countries, making it a reliable option when an appointment is days away.

A round-trip itinerary from India to France for one adult costs $19. For two adults traveling together, the total is $34 ($19 base plus $15 for the additional passenger). A multi-city itinerary – useful if your France trip connects through other Schengen countries – is a flat $25 for one adult. The difference between a flight reservation and a confirmed ticket for visa purposes is an important distinction that many applicants overlook until their appointment is already booked.

Step 4: Create an Account and Complete the Online Application

Go to france-visas.gouv.fr and create an account. The portal guides you through the application form section by section: personal details, travel history, purpose of visit, intended itinerary, and financial information.

Complete every field accurately. Inconsistencies between your application form and your supporting documents – different travel dates, different accommodation addresses – are among the leading France visa rejection reasons. Once the form is complete, the portal generates a summary sheet. Print this, sign it, and set it aside with your document pack.

The France-Visas system also generates your specific appointment instructions and fee breakdown based on your nationality and visa category.

Step 5: Book Your VFS Global Appointment

France processes visa applications from India through VFS Global, which operates centers in multiple Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune.

Book your appointment on the VFS Global India-France portal. Appointment slots fill quickly, especially during peak travel seasons (April to June, October to November). Book as early as possible – you may submit your application up to six months before your intended departure date, and the French government requires a minimum of five working days between submission and departure.

The difference between applying directly at a consulate versus a visa application center matters for what you bring and how biometrics are collected. The appointment process for consulate vs. visa center applications covers the distinction in detail.

Step 6: Attend Your Appointment and Submit Your Application

Arrive at the VFS Global center on time with the complete document pack organized in the order requested by the checklist. Biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph) will be collected at your appointment if you have not been enrolled in the Schengen biometric system within the last 59 months.

Visa Fees

The standard Schengen visa fee for Indian adults is €80 (approximately ₹7,200, subject to exchange rate fluctuation). Children aged six to eleven pay €40. Children under six are exempt. VFS Global charges an additional service fee of approximately ₹1,750.

Pay at the center. Most VFS locations accept both cash and card.

Processing Time

Standard processing takes 15 calendar days from the date of submission. The French government advises applying well in advance of your travel date. The typical Schengen visa processing timeline can extend during busy periods – allow at least three to four weeks where possible.

Step 7: Track Your Application and Collect Your Passport

After submission, track your application status through the VFS Global tracking portal using the reference number provided at your appointment. When processing is complete, VFS Global notifies you that your passport is ready for collection or will be returned by courier if you opted for that service at the time of submission.

Review your visa sticker carefully before leaving the center. Confirm that the validity dates, number of entries, and permitted duration of stay match what you applied for.

FAQ

Do I Need a Confirmed Flight Ticket to Apply for a France Schengen Visa From India?

No. The French embassy does not require a fully paid, confirmed flight ticket at the application stage. A verifiable flight reservation or itinerary – one that includes your name, flight numbers, travel dates, and a PNR code that can be confirmed with the airline – is sufficient. Buying a non-refundable ticket before visa approval carries financial risk that most applicants can avoid.

Where Do I Submit a France Schengen Visa Application From India?

Applications are submitted in person at a VFS Global visa application center. France does not accept direct applications at the Embassy in India for standard short-stay visas. VFS Global operates centers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune.

How Far in Advance Should I Apply for a France Schengen Visa?

The French government states that applications must be submitted at least five working days before the intended departure date. In practice, applying four to six weeks in advance is advisable to account for appointment availability and processing time, which can extend to 15 calendar days or longer during peak periods.

How Much Does a France Schengen Visa Cost for Indian Applicants?

The standard visa fee is €80 for adults and €40 for children aged six to eleven. Children under six are exempt. VFS Global adds a service fee of approximately ₹1,750. These fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the application.

Can I Apply for a France Visa If France Is Not My Only Destination?

Yes, provided France is your primary destination – meaning the country where you will spend the most days. If you are visiting multiple Schengen countries and spending more time in another country than in France, you would need to apply through that country's consulate instead.

What Happens If My Visa Is Rejected?

If your application is refused, you will receive a written refusal notice stating the reason. You have the right to appeal the decision. Common causes of refusal include insufficient financial documentation, inconsistencies in the application, or an incomplete travel itinerary. Understanding why France visa applications are rejected and addressing those gaps before reapplying significantly improves outcomes.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for a France Schengen Visa From India?

Yes. Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for all Schengen visa applications. The policy must provide a minimum coverage of €30,000, cover the full duration of your stay, and be valid in all Schengen member states. The insurer's certificate must be included in your document pack at the time of submission.

How Long Is a Schengen Visa Valid Once Issued?

A standard short-stay Schengen visa is typically issued for the duration of your planned trip, sometimes with a short buffer. It permits a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area. Frequent travelers with a strong travel history sometimes receive multiple-entry visas valid for one to five years, though this is at the consulate's discretion.

What to Do Now

1. Use the Visa Wizard on france-visas.gouv.fr to confirm your visa type and generate your document list.
2. Assemble all documents – paying particular attention to financial proof, travel insurance, accommodation, and your flight itinerary.
3. Book your VFS Global appointment as early as possible; slots in major Indian cities fill weeks in advance.
4. Complete and print your online application form from the France-Visas portal.
5. Attend your appointment with your full document pack, pay the visa fee, and submit biometrics.

If your appointment is approaching and you still need a visa-ready flight itinerary, get your flight itinerary from ProvisionalBooking – delivered to your inbox in under 60 seconds, at $19 for a round-trip reservation.