Visa guide · updated October 2026Do Indians need a visa for France?
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for France. The short-stay visa costs €90 for adults, allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, and is normally decided within 15 days. Apply to France if it is your main destination.
When you do not need a visa
You can enter without a visa if you hold one of the following:
- A valid residence permit or long-stay visa issued by any Schengen country
- A valid multiple-entry Schengen visa issued by another Schengen country, within its 90/180-day limit
France visa options for Indians
| Option | Who it is for | Stay and validity | Official fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (type C) | Tourism, business, and family or private visits | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area | €90 |
| Schengen visa, child aged 6 to 11 | Children travelling with or without their parents | Same as above | €45 |
| Schengen visa, child under 6 | Children under 6 | Same as above | No visa fee |
| National long-stay visa (type D) | Study, work or family stays of more than 90 days | Set by France’s own rules | Set by France; see the official visa site |
France visa fees
| Option | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (type C) | €90 |
| Schengen visa, child aged 6 to 11 | €45 |
| Schengen visa, child under 6 | No visa fee |
| National long-stay visa (type D) | Set by France; see the official visa site |
The €90, €45 and free rates are the Schengen fees set by EU rules and are the same for every Schengen country. They are paid in rupees at the rate set by the consulate, and a visa application centre adds its own service charge.
Documents required
The official source lists these documents:
- Passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Recent photo that meets the Schengen specifications
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area for the whole stay
- Documents showing the purpose of the trip, where you will stay, that you can pay for the stay, and that you intend to return
- Fingerprints, collected when you submit the application
How to apply
Check that France is the right country to apply to: it must be your only or main destination, or your first point of entry if you spend equal time in several Schengen countries.
Follow the instructions on France’s official visa site for India and book an appointment at the consulate or its visa application centre.
Submit the form, passport, photo and supporting documents in person and give your fingerprints.
Pay the visa fee and any service charge, then wait for the decision. Apply no later than 15 days before travel; up to 6 months ahead is allowed.
Processing time
Usually 15 days; this can be extended to up to 45 days if the consulate needs to examine the application further. You can apply from 6 months before the trip and no later than 15 days before it.
Visa application centres in India
VFS Global accepts France visa applications at 14 centres in India, plus 4 temporary service points. Check which centre covers your state before you book.
Visa application centres
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Cochin
- Goa
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Jalandhar
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Puducherry
- Pune
Temporary service points
Temporary service points open only on announced days.
- Coimbatore
- Guwahati
- Mangalore
- Visakhapatnam
AhmedabadBengaluruChandigarhChennaiCochinGoaHyderabadJaipurJalandharKolkataMumbaiNew DelhiPuducherryPuneCoimbatoreGuwahatiMangaloreVisakhapatnamCentre list from VFS Global, checked on 26 October 2026. Centres open and close, so confirm before you travel to one.
Popular places to visit in France
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Paris by Yann Caradec from Paris, France, CC BY-SA 2.0; Nice by Moody Dreiza (Moody751 at English Wikipedia), CC BY 2.5; Lyon by Otourly, CC BY-SA 3.0; Marseille by kallerna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Frequently asked questions
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for France. The short-stay visa costs €90 for adults, allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, and is normally decided within 15 days. Apply to France if it is your main destination.
Schengen short-stay visa (type C): €90. Schengen visa, child aged 6 to 11: €45. Schengen visa, child under 6: No visa fee. National long-stay visa (type D): Set by France; see the official visa site. The €90, €45 and free rates are the Schengen fees set by EU rules and are the same for every Schengen country. They are paid in rupees at the rate set by the consulate, and a visa application centre adds its own service charge.
Usually 15 days; this can be extended to up to 45 days if the consulate needs to examine the application further. You can apply from 6 months before the trip and no later than 15 days before it.
Check that France is the right country to apply to: it must be your only or main destination, or your first point of entry if you spend equal time in several Schengen countries. Follow the instructions on France’s official visa site for India and book an appointment at the consulate or its visa application centre. Submit the form, passport, photo and supporting documents in person and give your fingerprints. Pay the visa fee and any service charge, then wait for the decision. Apply no later than 15 days before travel; up to 6 months ahead is allowed.
From the official sources listed at the end of this page, checked on 26 October 2026. Visa rules and fees change, so confirm them on the official site before you apply.
Official sources
The visa facts on this page come from these official pages, checked on 26 October 2026. Rules and fees can change, so confirm them before you apply.
- European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa
- France-Visas: the official visa website for France