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Applying for a short-stay visa

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As a citizen of a State outside the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, are you looking to visit or stay in France for a short period?

Typically, you should apply for a short-stay visa.

A short-stay visa authorizes foreign nationals to enter and stay in French territory for up to 3 months.

Short-stay visas can be single-entry for one short stay or multiple-entry for several successive short stays.

Obtaining a short-stay visa

Where to apply.

Applications must be submitted to the French embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.

When processing visa applications, the visa authorities normally invite applicants to attend their premises in person.

Some formalities, such as arranging appointments and submitting applications, may be outsourced to external service providers. (VFS Global, TLS, etc.).

The application is initiated online via the official website france-visas.gouv.fr.

This first step allows the applicant to verify the need for him to obtain a visa using the Visa Assistant. The user can then apply for a visa via a personal account and then find out how to submit their file, often with the service provider from the Consulate or Embassy. Thanks to the france-visas.gouv.fr website, visa applicants can now follow the progress of their application directly online.

Related Cards

Visa, staying, working.

• Schengen Area
• Travel visa
• Fact sheet: short-stay visa
• 10 year certificate of residence
• Long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS)
• EU, EEA and Swiss nationals
• Fact sheet: long stay visa
• Fact sheet: Different visa categories
• Entering and staying in Mayotte
• Applying for a long-stay visa

Residence-permit

• Recruiting a foreign employee: cost for the employer
• Highly skilled employees: “Talent Passport – European Union Blue Card”
• Graduates – “Talent Passport – Qualified employee”
• French Tech Visa for Founders
• ‘Talent Passport –Employee of a young innovative company’ (JEI)
• Talent Passport : new business
• Talent Passport – innovative business project
• Fact sheet : Employees hired by a French company
• French Tech Visa for Employees
• Fact sheet : run a company in France
• Employees transferred within a group: ‘Talent Passport – Employee on assignment’
• Launch your startup in France
• Resident card
• French Tech Visa for Investor
• Talent Passport ‘Business investor’

Company directors

• Appointed Directors : Passport talent « Company director»

Startup founders

• Temporary residence permit ‘Entrepreneur/independent professional’
• Residence certificate for “Non-salaried professions”
• Temporary residence permit marked “Temporary worker”
• International service provider
• Intra-corporate transferees (ICT) : seconded employees
• Temporary residence permit marked “Employee”

Work permit

• Obtaining a work permit
• Renewing a work permit
• Fact sheet : work permit
• Service provision and work permit

Accompanying family

• Fact sheet: “Accompanying family” simplified procedure
• Travel document for foreign minors (DCEM)
• Family members of an EU, EEA or Swiss Nationals
• Family of French citizens

Do you need to travel in the overseas departments and regions?

The overseas departments and regions (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion Island and Mayotte) are not part of France’s European territory.

The Schengen agreements thus do not apply on these overseas territories.

• Foreign nationals holding a short-stay Schengen visa may thus not enter an overseas department, authority or territory;
• Foreign nationals issued a specific short-stay visa to one of the overseas departments, this visa does not allow them to enter the Schengen Area.

More details on the website of the Ministry of the Interior

When to apply

Processing timescales for short-stay visas can vary from one embassy or consulate to another.

Applicants are advised to apply relatively early, but no earlier than three months before the planned date of arrival in France

Helpful tip: All documents must be submitted in French (originals together with a set of photocopies). Visa applications are not processed until a complete application has been received.

France-visas provides the public with a precise list of the documents to be provided in support of a visa application, adapted to the purpose of the stay and the personal situation of the foreign national.

To submit a short-stay visa application, applicants should typically present the following documents:

• Issued in the last 10 years.
• Valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from French territory.
• Short-stay visa application form (Cerfa no. 14076*01) duly completed, signed and dated via France-visas website and France-visas receipt.
• Three standardized  passport photos.
• €32.50 a day for foreigners with an accommodation certificate.
• €65 a day for foreigners with proof of a hotel room booking.
• €120 a day for foreigners without proof of a hotel room booking.
• Proof of a  guarantee of repatriation to the foreign national’s usual place of residence.
• Proof of insurance  covering medical and hospital expenses up to at least  €30,000 .
• Evidence of the  reasons for and conditions of the stay:
• Tourist visits: Hotel booking showing the applicant’s name, lease agreement, etc.
• Family or personal visit: Original and photocopy of proof of accommodation ( accommodation certificate ).
• Transit: Travel bookings, visa for final destination, etc.
• Business travel: Letter of invitation from the host (company, seminar or conference organizer, etc.).
• Internships and training: Internship agreement.

A full list of specific supporting documents to be submitted with a visa application, depending on the purpose of the stay and the foreign national’s personal circumstances, is freely available to the public at the France-visas website.

 For further details, please visit France-visas

Proof of accommodation

Any foreigner wishing to stay in France for no longer than three months, especially for a family or personal visit, must provide proof of accommodation. This can take the form of a hotel booking or an accommodation certificate supplied by a person hosting the foreign national in their home. The host must apply in person to the town hall in their place of residence, signing Cerfa form no. 10798*03 .

Cost of a short-stay visa

Application and visa fees are charged when the application is submitted. They range from €35 to €60 depending on the nationality of the applicant, to whom a receipt is issued. Fees can be found on France-visas. Fees are not refunded if a visa application is unsuccessful.

Helpful tip: Some formalities, such as arranging appointments and submitting applications, may be outsourced to external service providers. Any fees they charge are in addition to standard application fees, and are payable by the applicant.

The process for initiating a visa application is divided into several stages as explained on the official website France-visas.gouv.fr:

Download the “Schengen” short stay visa application form Cerfa 14076*03 .

Download the visa for a department or an overseas territory application form  Cerfa 15934*01 .

Access to all the forms on the France-visas website

How to read a short-stay visa sticker

For further information, please visit the website of France-visas.gouv.fr .

Visa territorial validity

The territorial validity of the visa in France is specified on the sticker.

When the sticker bears the indication “ valid for France except TCOM ”, the visa is valid for mainland France and the territories of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion and the community of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

When the sticker bears the indication “ DFA ”, the visa is valid only for Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana, and for the community of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

Lastly, if the sticker only lists the name of a single overseas department or region, it authorises entry only to this department or region. On the sticker, the mark is “ DEPARTEMENT D’OUTRE MER (FRANCE) ”, the visa entitles you only to enter the departement or region specified in the « REMARQUES / REMARKS » section.

Consular or diplomatic authorities may reject visa applications.

The reasons for rejection must always be given in writing.Le ressortissant étranger may informally appeal such decisions free of charge and ask the relevant authority to reconsider their application.

Applications can also be referred to the French Visa Application Appeals Commission (Commission de recours contre les décisions de refus de visa d’entrée en France – CRV).

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Tourist Visa In France: A Simple Guide

Dreaming of the Eiffel Tower , lavender fields, and Riviera beaches?

Before you indulge in the French experience, a tourist visa might be your golden ticket.

Unravel the path to savoring France’s iconic delights seamlessly.

Let’s dive in!

What is the France Tourist Visa?

If you wish to visit France for tourism for a period shorter than 90 days, depending on your nationality, you might be required to obtain a France Tourist visa first.

The French Tourist visa permits you to stay in France for 90 days at most per a period of 180 days. 

Aside from the cases when your visa is marked as a Limited Territorial Validity visa, you are generally permitted to travel with this visa to other Schengen countries within that period.

What To Consider Before Applying For A French Tourist Visa

Before you apply for a French tourist visa, you should:

• Check Your Passport: Make sure your passport meets the validity requirement. If you still need to, apply for a new one before you apply for a visa.
• Book Your Flight In Time: Do not leave it for the night before your visa appointment after you have completed everything else. You may need help finding a place on a flight on your intended date.
• Make Sure Everything Is As Required: Do not tell yourself, “Maybe they won’t notice this,” or “they can’t make a huge deal out of such a small detail.” 

The consular officers check everything with the utmost attention, so you’d better follow all procedures and meet all requirements.

When Can You Submit The Application?

Submitting the application file at the right time is crucial for a positive outcome on your France Tourist Visa application. According to the French tourist visa rules, the earliest you can apply is six months before your booked flight to France.

On the other hand, the latest you can do so is two weeks before the date of your intended trip.

According to the French authorities in your country of residence and how they have regulated visa admission, you may have to submit your application at:

• The consular section of the French embassy in your country.
• A French consulate in your country.
• A third-party visa-processing center to which France has outsourced visa submission in your country.
• The French embassy/consulate/visa processing center in a neighboring country, to which French authorities in your country of residence have outsourced visa submission.

What If You Have To Travel To Other Countries Besides France?

If you travel to the Schengen Area to visit other countries besides France, you might have to apply to another embassy rather than in France. This sounds a bit complicated to many, but it is straightforward.

First of all, list the countries you plan to visit and write the number of days you will spend in each country. Apply at the embassy where you are planning to spend most days . I.e. 

If you are visiting Germany and France, and you will be spending three days in the first and five in the latter, then you will have to apply at the country embassy, where you will spend more days in France.

On the other hand, if you are spending an equal amount of days in two countries or more, i.e., two in France, two in Germany, and two in Switzerland, then you will have to apply at the embassy of the country where you will be landing first.

How To Obtain A French Tourist Visa?

The application process for a French Tourist visa might seem complicated and frustrating , especially for people who have not obtained a visa before. 

However, if you make a list of the steps you have to take and follow them slowly, then you will quickly achieve your goal and obtain the visa:

• Complete the French Tourist Schengen visa application form.
• Collect the required documents.
• Book an appointment .
• Pay the fees .
• Show up at the appointment.

You can find the France tourist visa application form on the website of the French embassy in your home country. If you do not, you can require a form to be sent to you online through email by the embassy.

Fulfill the application form with honest and correct information. Prepare “how to fill in the visa application form” beforehand to avoid making mistakes. 

Remember that the information you give in this form must comply with that in the other documents. Otherwise, your application will likely be rejected. Remember to print it twice and sign both copies at the end.

Collect The Required Documents

After completing the application form, collect the required documents for a French tourist visa. Take care to have each document in original and copy .

Be sure to complete even one document on the day of your appointment since that might result in the refusal of your application.

You should submit the following documents to apply for a Tourist visa to France:

• French Tourist Visa Application Form: Make sure you complete the proper form and that the information you provide is correct.
• Two passport-style photos: They must be at most three months.
• Your valid passport: It must have been issued within the last 10 years and is valid for a minimum of 3 months after the end of your planned stay in France. The passport must have at least two blank pages to put the visa sticker on it.
• Copies Of Older Visas: If you have ever held any visa to any country, submit copies of those visas.
• Travel Medical Insurance : Medical insurance that covers a minimum of €30,000 for your entire stay in France and the Schengen.
• Certificate of criminal record : Official certificate showing that candidate has no open crime case involvement
• Proof of paid visa fee: Make sure to include valid receipt
• Travel Itinerary: This document shows what you will do in France when you arrive and leave and includes proof of arranged transportation, i.e., plane ticket booking.
• Proof of Accommodation in France: It can be a hotel/ hostel booking or a letter of invitation if you plan to stay with friends or relatives.
• Means of subsistence: Proof that you have the financial means to cover your stay in France and other Schengen countries if you plan to. 

This could be a bank statement of up to three days covering the last three months or a scholarship certificate stating how much you will receive during your stay.

You will need to book an appointment for your interview with a consular officer of the French embassy. The interview is a must for every applicant over the age of 12. 

Book the interview online at the website of the French embassy or consulate in your country. If that option is not available in your country, you must go to the embassy to schedule an appointment.

How Much Does A France Tourist Visa Cost?

You must pay the visa fee before you attend the interview on the day of your appointment at the embassy, consulate, or visa application center. The fee for a French tourist visa is €80.

You will have to pay the fee in euros or the local currency , according to the exchange rates applied by the embassy.

France Tourist Visa Validity

The validity of your visa depends on the French embassy that issued it to you. The maximum validity of a French tourist visa can be three months within half a year.

The embassy may issue you a visa for the required period, i.e., ten days, three weeks, or even three or five days. On the other hand, you can still get a multiple entry 3 months valid visa, mainly if you are a frequent traveler to the Schengen territory.

Can You Visit Other Countries In Europe?

It depends on the type of Schengen Visa you’re granted. 

If the visa sticker on your passport says “ The Schengen States ” or “ États Schengen” or the exact words in another EU language, then you can travel in the whole Schengen territory with that visa as soon as it becomes valid.

On the other hand, if your visa says “ Schengen states (-the acronym of a country),” it means you cannot visit only that particular country, i.e., “Schengen states (-ES)” means you can visit all the Schengen states but Spain . 

You can also receive a visa that includes only the acronyms of the states you are permitted to visit, i.e., “F, FIN, GR”, which means you can only visit France, Finland, and Greece.

Traveling To France

One cannot ignore the mesmerizing beauty that France carries. Even though you have never visited France, it holds so much merit. Without a doubt, it would drag you down the lane of nostalgia. 

It uplifts you with images of the Paris Eiffel Tower, the Cannes Film Festival, pebbly beaches in Nice, the finest wines in Bordeaux, and impressive architecture in Lyon. 

While half of the world is already in love with France, there are millions of reasons that can make your love for France even deeper. 

France never ceases to fascinate world travelers with its individualistic beauty, art, history , and gastronomic heritage . And that is why it has been the most famous tourist destination in the world. 

Whether you visit France with a profound purpose or want to play around, France has everything for everyone.

Why Should You Visit France?

Home to the paris.

The city of Paris belongs to France. Now, this fact equals every reason you must choose France over every other destination you keep as an option. Paris is the most charming city that no other city can compete with as its existence is nearly perfect. 

With famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Pantheon.

And remarkable museums like the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay, the cutest cafés like Laduree, sophisticated streets like Champs Elysees, and theme parks like Disneyland, you cannot deny its alluring beauty in any situation. 

France Is Haven Of History And Culture

France feels a thousand times attractive for its rich culture and history . French people take so much pride in their historical heritage. 

Art, architecture, and literature honor the most significant battles fought during the French Revolution and the Napoleon period. 

You can still witness time being kept intact in France through attractions like the Palace of Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre-Coeur, Old Port of Marseille, and more. 

France has almost 39 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list to highlight its strong, culturally enriched presence in human history. 

French Cuisine Is A Gastronomical Treasure

French cuisine is an integral part of the culinary world. It upholds the reputation of France not only for its unique and rich taste but also for its valuable recipes and cooking techniques that are also gastronomical treasures.

Every food lover should taste France’s authentic , traditional, and local foods. 

From croissants, baguettes, and seafood to over 400 cheese varieties, your culinary endeavor will be otherworldly. 

Paradise For Fashion Admirers

France is home to famous fashion brands like Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. For the fashion admirer inside you, France is a shopper’s paradise. You can walk down the famous streets where you can shop till you drop. 

Not just that, the entire French community will inspire your wardrobe update. Even on a regular day, the people of France like to flaunt their rich fashion sense as they walk down the street. 

Fashion brands will also organize Fashion Week events where you can admire the latest collection and grab some aesthetic pieces of clothing. Rue de Rivoli, Champs Elysees, and Les Halles are some of the best streets to style up yourself.

Country With Distinctive Geography

France’s geography creates more opportunities for tourists with its distinctive geography . Do you want to swim, surf, and snorkel or relax in a sunny spot on a beach? Head directly to Cannes, Nice, or Côte d’Azur.

Do you want to spend your vacation on the snowy slopes and ski to your heart’s content? Visit Mont Blanc. France has a space for every venture you are seeking.

Land Of Art And Museum

You are aware that France is the land of art and museums . 

From the Louvre Museum(the World’s Largest Museum), which houses notable art like the painting of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, to the extraordinary collection of modern art in Centre Pompidou.

Every region of France has a museum that surprises you with renowned masterpieces.

Wine Enthusiast Getaway

There is no better place than France if you are a wine enthusiast who likes to try the finest wines in the world. 

There are more than 450 types of homemade wine collections in France. Every region has a specialty, and you can’t resist trying all the duty-free wines without being bored.

Charming Castles

There are so many Castles in France. You might need an entire month to explore all the Castles reflecting Gothic and Romanesque architecture . The fun part is you can stay in some of them and admire the beauty. 

From Château de Chantilly, Palace of Versailles, to Château de Chenonceau, you will be stunned by these picturesque castles that let you understand France like never before.

Relaxing Countryside

If you want to escape the clamor of the city, there is no better place than France’s countryside with picturesque views . To be clear, over 80% of France is typically villages.

They offer a solid level of peace and tranquility that helps you forget all your worries, enjoy time with the locals, and cherish every moment by etching the breathtaking view in your mind.

Hotspot For Romance

Finally, the most important reason to add France to your bucket list is that France naturally makes it hard to disregard its romantic side. Even the elegance of the French language adds more romance to romantic endeavors in the “ city of love .”

Traveling Costs In France

France is consistently the most popular tourist destination in Europe, with Paris welcoming tens of millions of visitors each year and only Istanbul and London coming close to challenging for the number one spot. But is France expensive to visit?

France is diverse but expensive to visit, with an average cost of €85-580 per person daily. That said, there’s something for everyone in France, and most locations have options to accommodate all types of budgets. 

Accommodation Prices In France

When making a France travel budget, accommodation should be the first thing to research as it can be relatively expensive if you don’t carefully look at your options.

Camping is one of the cheaper options for accommodation in France. Still, not everyone’s idea of a relaxing holiday is sleeping on the floor in a woodland, regardless of how beautiful the landscape is…

Solo young travelers may be disappointed by the lack of hostels across France, although you can find some in big cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. 

Outside of Paris, you can expect to pay no more than €50 for a single bed in a dorm room, although it’s hard to find a bed unde r €30 as you can in other European cities.

Within Paris, the majority of beds in dorm rooms are over €50 , so if you’re traveling with a friend or partner, it’s usually worthwhile staying in a hotel and splitting the cost of the room.

In general, expect the accommodation cost to be more expensive in Paris than in other cities and regions in France.

Looking at hotels in a variety of towns and cities in France, the majority of the double rooms cost over €100 per night, while only about one-third of rooms cost €50-€100 , leaving just a tiny percentage of rooms that cost less than €50 per night. 

If you’re looking for something more luxurious, expect to make more than €300-550 per night for a room – and often much more, depending on the hotel and location.

This shows that accommodation in France can be expensive, although there are many reasonable options to be found if you’re visiting France on a budget; either way, accommodation is a big factor in your overall France trip cost.

Transportation Prices In France

On the other hand, traveling in France is as easy , cheap, and comfortable as it is highly recommended. France, especially the South, welcomes tourists and travelers, so moving around is very simple.

If you’re willing to take a risk, you can even hitchhike from one place to another very quickly to keep your trip to France to a minimum.

The majority of French people are very friendly and will take you as far as they can as well as recommend places to visit and things to do in the area that you might not otherwise know about.

That’s also why the ride-sharing app Blablacar works so well in France. 

It’s hard to book a journey many weeks in advance, but if you’re on a loose schedule, you can find many different cars to join over the coming week and choose whichever driver you have more in common with or which journey best suits your timing or budget.

A 3-hour journey can cost as little as €15 , and you can even find rides over long journeys such as 9 hours from Paris to Montpellier from just €50.

France also has an incredibly well-developed train network, with high-speed trains able to transport you to all corners of the country. However, the cost of train tickets can vary depending on the journey length and how far in advance you book.

There is also a decent bus network that is often less expensive than the train. However, the journeys can take longer and are often less comfortable than a train ride. 

If you’re planning a road trip or are keen to try your hand at driving in France, however, you can easily rent a car from French Airports or city centers from €50-100 for a small car. 

Within French towns and cities, you can use the bus, tram , or metro for €1.50-2.50 for a single ticket, although there are often cheaper alternatives for 10 journeys or 24 hours if you think you’ll use public transportation in France often over your stay.

Or, for a greener and more active alternative, you can find city rental bikes in the streets of the most prominent cities in France, which you can rent for €0.50-1.50 per hour or €5 a day to get around quickly.

These city bikes do require a credit card to make sure you return the bike, so if you don’t have one or you’re in a smaller town, you can still rent a bicycle for around €20-30 a day, sometimes with an additional few euros for a helmet or basket.

Some of these bike rental shops also have e-bikes available so you can save your legs, although the price can be a lot more expensive, from €35-70 per day.

Food Prices In France

Dining is one of the best activities in France, and the options won’t disappoint you. Sure, you can find cheap French fast food chains and cafeterias everywhere like Flunch and Quick, but it would be a waste of a trip to the gastronomic center of Europe to eat here.

The cost of food in France can vary depending on your habits. Breakfast is a cheap and easy affair, with bakeries on every corner selling fresh pastries and baguettes for less than a couple of euros each.

Meanwhile, you can have a cheap and cheerful lunch of a delicious sandwich for a few euros from any cafe or turn it into a meal deal in the French cafe La Mie Caline, where you can get a sandwich, cake, and drink for a very affordable price. 

The classic French croque monsieur can be found everywhere, as well, for low prices.

Of course, it’s always affordable and a great way to support local vendors to pick up some bread, local cheese, or some meats from small delis or market stalls and have a lunch picnic, too!

However, if you’re going to make the most of your trip to France and dine as the locals do, you can find excellent set menus for lunch for €15-30 for 2-3 courses of usually expertly prepared and locally sourced dishes.

For dinner, there are many options in France in terms of price and cuisine, but you can almost always guarantee it will be high-quality food .

A mid-range restaurant will serve exquisite dishes, often prepared in the same traditional way over many generations, so you know they have the classic French cooking down to a T. 

Evening set menus can cost between €20 and €45 for three courses in most restaurants, with a bottle of wine costing €20-60 .

So, you only need to spend a fortune in a 5-star restaurant in France if you’re out for a special occasion or want to enjoy a spectacular view, such as the Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower. Here, you can have a 5-course dinner time tasting menu for €255 .

Your French rendezvous awaits, and the tourist visa is the first step to those dreamy Parisian nights and Provençal sunrises.

Voyage magnifique begins with the right paperwork!

Voyage Verified!

But wait! There’s lot more that you might be interested in following:

• Types Of Visas In France
• Tax Refund In France
• Temporary residence In France

France Tourist Visa Document Checklist

• A travel document, issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area or, in the case of a long stay, at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa requested. Be sure to transmit (scan) ALL PAGES of your travel document containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription.
• ID photograph.
• If you are not a national of your country of residence: proof that you are legally resident in that country (e.g. residence permit).

Purpose of travel/stay

• If the trip is a package tour, attach detailed itinerary.
• Reservation of a return ticket or travel itinerary.

Travel health insurance

• Copy of travel medical insurance policy of not less than 30,000 Euros. The policy must cover medical and hospitalisation expenses for the entire period of valid stay on Schengen territory as well as repatriation costs.

Accommodation ;

• Reservation of a hotel or sufficient resources to cover hotel expenses (to the amount of €120/day) or a tenancy agreement or certificate of ownership. If staying with a private individual : proof of accommodation ( Cerfa form).
• Supporting documents of personal income: copy of bank statements of the last 3 months, copy of income Tax Departement Return + ITR V acknowledgment of the previous financial year. For employees : 3 last salary slips. For person owning a company : certificate of registration of the company (Form B, rule 5(1) or Form ST3, rule 11). If aplicable , supporting documents of sponsoring and of personel income of the sponsor.

Socio-professional situation

• Proof of socio-professional status (e.g. employment contract, certificate of employment, extract from the trade and companies’ register, school attendance certificate, proof of pension) and any documents demonstrating the applicant’s personal links to the country of residence (e.g. copy of marriage certificate, family record book).

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France tourist visa: document checklist and eligibility for indian applicants.

The Application process for a France Tourist visa can be completed online. You may receive a France Tourist visa within 7 working days.

Are you dreaming of strolling through the charming streets of Paris? 

Well, your dream vacation to France is just a few steps away! But before you board this exciting journey, you'll have to obtain a France Tourist Visa.

Now, don't let the visa application process overwhelm you. We understand that it might seem puzzling, especially if you’ve never travelled before to the country. But fear not! Our step-by-step guide is here to clear up the mystery and ensure a smooth journey for you.

What is a France Tourist Visa?

France Tourist Visa allows you to stay in France for up to 90 days . You need to obtain a French tourist visa if you want to stay there for a short period with the purpose of tourism. With this tourist visa , you are not allowed to be involved in business or a job in the country. 

If your purpose is to find employment or a business trip you may apply for another visa type like an  Investor visa .

Document Checklist for France Tourist Visa

Your documents complete your application. Every country has a different process for filing a visa thus required documents vary accordingly.  Do not prepare documents based on your assumptions because unnecessary documents complicate your visa file. 

So, have a customized France Tourist Visa checklist. It is necessary to make sure that a list of documents is mandatory. But there are some documents which are considered common for most visa processes.

Basic Documents

• A copy of your passport
• Visa Application Form
• Passport-size photographs

Financial Documents

• Proof of Financial Support
• Bank statements
• Income Tax Returns

Additional Documents

• Proof of Travel 
• Proof of Accommodation in France
• A cover letter explaining your reasons for visiting France
• Proof of employment/business- If applicable
• Proof of study- If applicable

Minimum Bank Balance for France Tourist Visa from India

You should have sufficient funds to sponsor your entire trip. Visa officers want to see your bank balance with sufficient funds. These funds must be considerable for your stay in the country.

Understanding the France Tourist Visa Fees

Visa fee for tourist visa :.

Now that you have all the notes, let’s begin the process.

How to apply for a France tourist Visa: Step-by-step Guide 

When you are planning a dream vacation to France, one of the first things you need to do is secure a tourist visa. But the application process seems daunting at first. 

Well, this is because th e French tourist visa process is a bit different than others. Generally, you look for an available slot by entering a few details and get a date. Appointment booked. 

But a France visa appointment requires you to prepare most of the things before booking an appointment itself. 

Let’s know how you can apply for a French tourist visa from India or your city. 

So here is the step-by-step guide, you'll smoothly navigate through it.

Step 1: Identify Visa Type

The first step is to identify the type of visa you need. 

For a travel plan with tourism purposes, you need to apply for a France Tourist Visa. Make sure you gather the France Tourist Visa checklist and all the necessary documents and information required for this specific visa category.

Step 2: Begin Your Application

Once you've identified the visa type, you can begin your application process. 

Complete the visa application form. Fill it out accurately, providing all the required personal details, travel plans, and other relevant information.

Step 3: Book an Appointment

After completing the application form, you'll need to schedule an appointment at the nearest French Visa Application Centre. The appointment is essential as it allows you to submit your application and complete the biometric process. 

Step 4: Pay Your Fees

Before attending your appointment, make sure to pay the visa application fees. The fees vary depending on your nationality and the type of visa you are applying for. Check the official website or consult with an experienced consultant for the most up-to-date fee information and payment options.

Step 5: Visit a Visa Application Centre

On the scheduled date, and half an hour before the appointment time, visit the designated Visa Application Centre with all the required documents, 

Step 6: Track Your Application

After submitting your application, you'll receive an acknowledgement receipt. 

Note: Many countries offer online tracking services, allowing you to know when your application is being processed and if any additional information is needed.

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

Once your visa application is processed, you'll be notified to collect your passport from the Visa Application Centre. 

How to Improve Your Chances of Visa Approval

Apply Early.

The most crucial step in the visa application process is to apply early. Visa processing can take several weeks, and it is important to give yourself enough time to prepare all the required documents. 

Consider Applying Through an Easier Schengen Country

If you have the option, consider applying for your France tourist visa through a Schengen zone country known for higher visa approval rates. Different countries have varying rejection ratios, so choosing a country accordingly can increase your success chances. 

Seek advice from an Experienced consultant 

If you find the visa application process confusing or need assistance, talk to an experienced consultant. Paying a little extra for expert guidance can save you money and time.

Provide Authentic Documents

Be sure to provide genuine and accurate information as any inconsistencies or discrepancies can lead to visa rejection. 

Presenting forged or incomplete documents is a question on your intention to visit the country. 

Choose the Right Visa Type

Selecting the correct visa type that aligns with the purpose of your visit is vital. Applying for the wrong visa could weaken your case and may result in complications during the application process.

Dealing with Visa Refusals

What if you get a refusal on your tourist visa application .

Not all the people who apply for visas get approval. And some reasons are common, like the doubt on the intention to return to your home country. Similarly, there are other reasons that vary based on your provided documents. 

It is crucial to understand the reason for your refusal. There could be a possibility that you have missed any required documents or have submitted old documents. 

The Perks of Seeking Professional Guidance

An experienced consultant makes the process easy for you. You do not need to jump from one page to another just for a small detail. A consultant helps you with all you need for the visa application process. From document requirements to VFS appointments, consultants guide you through the complete process and documentation. 

Since we are talking about professional guidance and expert consultants, we would like to show you our visa success stories. 

How early can you book an appointment for a France Tourist Visa?

France is one of the most visited Schengen countries. Every year thousands of Indians plan their trip to Schengen countries and France is one among them. Each country has a different application process which again differs based on the visa you apply for. 

It is important to remember that your purpose defines the visa type and must clearly be defined through supportive documents.

Obtaining a France Tourist Visa might require some effort, but the experiences of this beautiful country are worthwhile. 

Follow this step-by-step guide, stay organized, and soon you'll be sipping coffee in charming Parisian cafes or exploring the picturesque French countryside.

Follow us for all the latest updates about visas. Social media links

Contact us to avoid the hassle of the visa process. 

Call or WhatsApp: +91 859 574 4633   Email ID:  [email protected]

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Documentation

It`s a vital part of the process and a small mistake could spoil entire efforts, Our experienced consultants can help you avoid such mistakes.

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Our relation doesn't end by getting you the visa, Our team is committed to helping you with every step of the immigration process.

Who We Are?

Triple I Business is one of the growing companies in Delhi NCR providing Consultancy services for Permanent Residency and Study visas in Canada, Australia, Germany, UK, and many other countries, we also offer Visa services for Tourist Visas and Visitor Visa.

Established in 2014 with a vision to bring transparency to Visa seeker in India, We found that Visa Seekers in India is facing a lot of issues, there is a lack of information on the process, transparency is missing, mis-selling is on the all-time high and our purpose is to curb the issues in the immigration and visa process faced by Visa Seekers. We offer visa seekers an opportunity to connect verified Immigration consultants from Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK and let the papers handled by the experts in Immigration Industry.

Triple I Business work with accredited immigration lawyers from Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK, we offer visa seekers the opportunities to connect with verified Immigration consultants and let the papers handled by the experts in Immigration Industry.

Triple I Business is founded by young entrepreneurs who understand the value of customer relationship and Trust, Triple I offers flexible payment options for the visa Seekers to process their application without putting a burden in their pockets young entrepreneurs who understand the value of customer relationship and Trust, Triple I offers .

France Visa Document Checklist 2022

As part of the France visa application process, you will need to provide a number of documents to prove your eligibility.

In this article, we provide an up-to-date document checklist for short stay France Visa.

Tourist visit.

• Duly filled and signed visa application form.
• Online France visa payment receipt.
• Signed Cover Letter explaining the trip details such as travel dates, places of visit, duration of trip, if family members travelling – include their names and relationship.
• Passport with at least three (3) months validity after you plan to leave France, have at least two (2) blank pages, and passport should not be older than 10 years old.
• Recent colored photographs with white background.
• Bank statement for the last three (3) months with sufficient balance equivalent to trip cost.
• Income Tax returns of last three (3) years.
• Additional financial documents such as fixed deposits, property investments, other personal assets etc. (optional but advisable to provide additional financial documents to strengthen visa file).
• Tentative blocking of flight tickets and hotels. (Do not book confirmed tickets and accommodation before grant of visa)
• Detailed day-wise Itinerary stating travel dates, places to visit and any other activities that will be undertaken during the trip.
• Travel Insurance valid for all Schengen countries and provide a minimum of €30,000 medical coverage with repatriation included.  
• If employed: Leave letter from the organisation stating employment details.
• If retired: Pension statement.
• If student: Student ID from school, college or university.
• If minor: Birth certificate. If applicant is travelling without or with only one of the parents, both parents will need to sign a parental consent at the France Embassy.  
• Sponsorship letter if being sponsored by parents or spouse, accompanied by bank statements and ID (passport) of the sponsor. The letter should state the type of relationship, duration of stay and the extent of financial support provided for the trip.

PRIVATE VISITS TO FAMILY OR FRIENDS IN FRANCE

• “Attestation d’accueil” and Invitation letter from the host (family, relative or friend) in France stating the type of relationship, travel dates, purpose of visit and duration of stay.
• Copy of host’s passport or resident permit and contact details in France.
• Valid passport with at least three (3) months validity after you plan to leave France, have at least two (2) free pages, and not be older than 10 years old.
• Bank statement for the last three (3) months with sufficient balance.
• Additional financial documents such as pay slips, fixed deposits, property investments, other personal assets etc. (optional but advisable to provide additional financial documents to strengthen visa file)
• If employed: Leave letter from the organisation stating the employment details.
• If freelancer: Documents relating to the profession. For eg: Certification.
• If minor: Birth certificate. If applicant is travelling without or with only one of the parents, both parents will need to sign a parental consent at the Embassy.  
• Sponsorship letter if being sponsored by parents or spouse or host in France, accompanied by bank statements and ID (passport or resident permit) of the sponsor, if he/she is fully or partially sponsoring the trip and accommodation costs. The letter should state the type of relationship, duration of stay and the extent of financial support provided for the trip.

BUSINESS VISIT

• Signed Cover Letter explaining the trip details such as travel dates, purpose of visit and any other information required to be provided.
• Introduction Letter from the Indian company, providing purpose of business visit, duration of trip, sponsorship and accommodation costs.
• Invitation letter from the host company in France, providing purpose of visit, duration of trip, sponsorship and accommodation costs (if being sponsored by France company)
• Documentation of Registration of company.
• Additional financial documents such as pay slips, fixed deposits, property investments, other personal assets etc. (if available)
• Detailed day-wise Itinerary stating travel dates, business schedule and any other activities that will be undertaken during the trip.

SPORTS AND CULTURAL VISIT

• Invitation letter including confirmation of participation in the sports event from the respective Sports Club/Federation in France.
• Registration Certificate and any other relating document from the relevant Sports Club/Federation.
• Additional financial documents such as fixed deposits, pay slips, property investments, other personal assets etc. (optional but advisable to provide additional financial documents to strengthen visa file)
• Detailed day-wise Itinerary including travel dates, business schedule and any other activities that will be undertaken during the trip.
• If employed: Leave letter from the organisation stating employment details,
• If freelancer: Documents relating to the profession. For eg: Certification or degree

Please note that the above list is not complete and that France Embassy may require the applicant to provide additional documents, where applicable for verification purpose.

All documents must be presented in original with clear photocopies at the time of submission. In most cases, except for the passport, it is not required to submit original documentation, the Consul officials will just require original documents for verification purpose.

At Akbartravels.com, we help you prepare all your documents as part of your France visa application process. What more? We even take care of the other aspects of your France trip such as flight tickets for France , hotel bookings , holidays packages  and much more.

Contact our Visa Experts  to find out more about your France visa application.

Related France Visa Blogs:

• Tips to get France Visa for Indians
• Common reasons for France visa rejection
• How to apply for France visa
• France Student visa application and requirements

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Home > Consulate in London > Visas > Applying for a French visa in the United Kingdom

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Applying for a French visa in the United Kingdom [fr]

Visa applications submitted in the United Kingdom are processed by the French Consulate in London.

For general information and for preparing, submitting and tracking your application, log on to France-visas , the official website for visa application to France : https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en_US/web/france-visas .

Reminder : the French Consulate in London has outsourced the reception of visa applications to TLScontact . Please note that appointments with TLScontact are free of charge - be aware of fraudulent agencies/ websites promising earlier appointments for a fee.

France-visas is a single portal with all the information you need process and help you every step of the way (preparing the application, entering details, submitting and tracking the application).

The main steps in applying for a visa

Do i need a visa.

Complete your application online

Submit your application to the visa centre

Track your visa application

Published on 24/10/2023

• Do you wish to speak to an advisor regarding your visa application?

Also in this section

• Important information

Quick access

• Retrouvez toutes les informations consulaires en français
• English-French Dictionary

Visa Information

Important Points

• Regular visa application form must be filled in online, printed and signed for all visa types.
• Original passport valid for a minimum of 6 months must be submitted with the visa application file.
• Personal details must be filled in the application form as in Passport.
• Photos are accepted only as per the Indian Specifications. Please check the Photo Specifications page.
• VFS Global Declaration Form must be filled and signed for all visa applications.
• Student visa applications can be accepted only 30 days before the course/internship starts.
• Foreign passport holders must provide a copy of the valid French residence document.
• For those nationals who do not need to have Resident Permit in France, it is necessary to provide a photocopy of the electricity/gas landline telephone bills.
• For minor applications, please check the relevant point in the checklist.
• Please check the Documents Required page before submitting or sending by post the visa application file.

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa obtained from an Indian Mission or Post abroad.

Applicants can apply for the appropriate visa category based on their purpose of travel and supporting documents as per the related checklists.

Important Notice

All visa applicants seeking visa for India are advised to mention the purpose of their visit to India clearly in their visa application forms and apply for relevant visa only.

There have been instances of people found attending conferences or engaging in business affairs while travelling on tourist visas. Engaging in activities not permissible under a particular category of visa may lead to debarment of the person from future visits to India and make him/her liable to applicable penalties.

Further, visitors are also advised not to overstay in India beyond the period mentioned in their visa which may lead to imposition of penalties and other punitive measures.

It is mandatory to be present in France at the moment of your visa application. Visa application by post from countries other than France, Corsica Island, Monaco, French overseas territories will be rejected.

Dual Nationals:

Applicants holding dual nationality (or more) have to provide all valid passports when applying for a visa.

Please note that if there is no visa fee for one of your nationalities, your application will have to be processed and registered with the one for which there is.

2 Month Gap between visits

There must be a two month gap between entries to India for all Titre de Voyage holders and the following nationals: Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Irak, Sudan, Maldives and foreigners of Pakistani origin.

It is advised that Biometric data for all following categories of visas (5 years or more) should be collected:

Student Visa

Research visa, employment visa.

• Missionary Visa
• Project Visa

Journalist Visa

• Visit Visa (Pakistani Nationals)
• Tourist and Business Visas with multiple entries

Conference Visa

Transit visa, medical visa.

• Medical attendant visa

Internship Visa

• Mountaineering Visa
• Urgent Category Visa

Tourist Visa

Documents required, photo specifications, processing time, download forms.

This visa allows you to travel to India for holidays, visit monuments, meet friends, attend a wedding…

Generally, the Embassy of India issues a visa valid for 6 months; however these are not given by default. Applicants can be granted a lesser duration if a lesser duration is written on the application form and/if the consular services decide to do so. In such cases, visa fees remain unchanged. A 1-year visa is also possible (see checklist for additional documents), but each stay may not exceed 90 days. The 5-year validity visa remains exceptional and must be confirmed with the Embassy prior to submission. Please note that the Tourist visa cannot be exchanged and cannot be extended in India.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TOURIST VISAS :

Certain professions require a “journalist” visa. The sectors of activity concerned by this requirement are: cinema, television, media, writing, publishing, press, photography, communication, advertising… (This list is non-exhaustive).

In case your profession falls in one of these categories please refer to the Journalist Visa checklist .

Please note: the validity of a visa begins on the day it is issued by the Embassy of India and not on the date of departure.

Your payment allows you to deposit a visa application. The latter can be accepted, refused or modified by the Embassy of India in its full right. Once fees have been paid, they cannot be refunded, even in a case of a visa refusal or cancelling an application.

Fees Chart The price of your visa is made up of fixed service charges and variable consular charges. The consular charges depend on the type of visa requested and on your nationality, profession or origin. Please consult the fees chart below in order to calculate the total amount to pay.

Kindly print the check list which corresponds with the visa category you wish to apply for and attach it with your application. It must be filled in and signed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

For foreign passport holders resident in France it is necessary to provide photocopy of the Resident Permit and recent electricity/gas landline telephone bills.

For those nationals who do not need to have Resident Permit in France it is necessary to provide photocopy of the electricity/gas landline telephone bills.

Photographs should be in colour and strictly as per the specifications below.

• Un-mounted - 2 inch x 2 inch in size.
• Face should cover about 70 to 80% of the photo area.
• Frame Subject with Full Face, Front view, Eyes open
• Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.
• The photographs must be clear, well defined and taken against a plain white background.
• Appropriate brightness and contrast showing your skin tones naturally
• Even lighting (no shadows across or behind the face)
• Face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling and with your mouth closed.
• If you must wear a head covering for religious reasons, make sure your full facial features are not obscured.
• Non-tinted prescription glasses are allowed as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Make sure that the frame does not cover any part of your eyes. Sunglasses are not acceptable.
• Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
• Photograph for Child/babies - The photograph should show the baby or child awake, looking straight at the camera with mouth closed and nothing covering the mouth. It should also show both edges of the face clearly (no toys, blankets, chair backs or other people visible) and no hair across the eyes.

Please Note: There is one self-service Photo-booth available in our Paris and Marseille office.

It is strongly advised that applicants do not make any travel arrangements before obtaining an Indian visa. The Embassy of India and VF Services (UK) Limited cannot, in any circumstances, be held responsible for any applications which are not completed in time for your intended date of departure. Kindly note that obtaining a visa is not automatic; your visa application may be accepted, modified or refused by the Embassy of India in its full right.

Applications processed individually

Each visa application is processed individually by the Embassy of India: as a result processing times may vary between applications that appear to be similar. It is particularly frequent for families and groups who have submitted their applications simultaneously to receive their visas with a few days’ gap.

Passport status specifications

• Passports having a validity of less than six months will not be accepted .
• Passports must have at least 3 blank pages (of which 2 must be side by side)
• Passports should not be mutilated/damaged/tampered/glued or taped in any way

Minimum processing times

The company VF Services (UK) Limited has no influence over the processing times of a visa application: these depend essentially on the Embassy of India and to a lesser extent on the postal services (in case you have opted for a return courier service). We are therefore not in a position to guarantee maximum processing times. We are only able to communicate minimum processing times, provided for information purposes only.

ONLINE APPLICATION FORM

In order to start a visa application, you are required to complete an online form which is operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

When filling the form please ensure to select the correct Mission (Paris) and visa category, enter complete information without errors and then proceed to print and sign the hard copy of the application form.

Important Note

Filling or submitting the online form on the Government website does not complete the process - you are required to submit the physical application form and supporting documents to the VFS Application Centre.

How long will my form be valid?

Under instruction from the Indian Government and in order to protect your personal data, your application details would be kept for a maximum of 20 days. It is therefore necessary to submit your application within 20 days of registering online. If we do not receive your application before this period, we would no longer be able to access your data (they will have been deleted) and you would be required to complete a new online form.

The Embassy of India, Paris reserves the right to grant a visa for duration of less than that requested. In this case no refunds of fees paid will be made.

ADDITIONAL FORMS

Your visa application may require additional documents as per your nationality, origin, the mode of submission you have chosen or the age of the applicant. You may find all the additional forms on this page.

Business Visa

This visa allows you to travel to India for the below purposes (this list is non-exhaustive):

• Searching for customers, selling products
• Searching for suppliers, buying products, giving specifications, checking orders, quality control, audits
• Visiting an exhibition or trade fair, exhibiting products in a trade fair
• Managing human resources, recruiting manpower
• Attending business meetings or technical meetings
• Carrying out plant or machinery repairs which are under warranty or subject to a maintenance contract
• Installing or commissioning equipment or machinery supplied under contract
• Providing a technical support or a transfer of know-how which is charged to the Indian company
• Giving a training or carrying out a coaching activity
• Attending a board meeting, exploring business venture opportunities, setting up a company
• Business partners or directors managing an Indian company set up in their name
• Participating in a one off event as an artist (in case you will not be paid for this you should apply for an Entry visa)
• Attending an in-house internship in the Indian branch of your French employer
• Taking part in an official business tour relative to projects of national importance

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR BUSINESS VISAS:

• Applicants wishing to work in India and live there as an expatriate should apply for an Employment Visa

You can request a Business Visa for duration of 3 months, 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.

The Embassy of India, Paris reserves the right to grant the visa for a shorter duration than that requested.In such cases no refund of fees paid would be made.

The price of your visa is made up of fixed service charges and variable consular charges. The consular charges depend on the type of visa requested and on your nationality, profession or origin. Please consult the fees chart below in order to calculate the total amount to pay.

This visa allows you to travel to India to work for an Indian company, to become an expatriate in an international company or organisation, NGO and for Intra company transfer.

SUB CATEGORIES OF EMPLOYMENT VISA:-

• E-1: All cases of employment (except intra company transferees and employment in NGOs
• E-2: For intra company transferees
• E-3: For employment in NGOs
• E-4: For those coming to execute projects in Power & Steel sectors
• E-1X/E-2X/E-3X/E-4X: For dependents of Employment visa holders

Please note: that immediate family members of a person travelling to India with an Employment visa must apply for an Employment dependant visa.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EMPLOYMENT VISAS:

• Non-French passport holders who have not been resident in France for more than 24 months (proof required)
• Business partners or directors managing a company set up in their name and/or majority share-holders in a company.

Generally, the Embassy of India issues a visa valid for 6 months or 1 year. It is obligatory for any visa extension or renewal of Employment visa to be requested in India at the FRO (Foreigner's Registration Office in Delhi) or the FRRO (Foreigner's Regional Registration Office). This visa permits unlimited stay during the validity of the visa but any stay exceeding 6 months requires a registration at the FRO/FRRO within 14 days of your arrival in India.

This visa allows you to travel to India to study at a university or technological institute, take part in an academic exchange program, follow a course in Yoga, Vedic culture, Indian systems of dance and music, professors or scholars intending to conduct research work in India and applicants intending to pursue internship in an Indian Company/Educational Institution/NGO, Foreign Missions/Posts and foreign government organizations in India.

SUB CATEGORIES OF STUDENT VISA:

• S-1: For higher education (including in South Asian University and Nalanda University), provisional student visa, for short term courses and those coming under Student Exchange Programme.
• S-2: For school education
• S-3: For studies in Vedic culture and Indian systems of Music and Dance and Buddhist studies
• S-4: For Theological studies and for Missionary students
• S-5: For Research scholar, visiting Research faculty, research scholar on bilateral exchange programme, members of Botanical, Scientific, Anthropological etc expeditions
• S-6: For those coming for internship in India (including those coming under French VIE programme).
• S-1X/S-3X/S-5X: For dependents of those coming under S-1 and S-3 and S-5 visas.

Applicants intending to pursue internship in India is required to meet the following conditions:

• The Internship Visa will be granted at any time during the course of study; or immediately after completion of graduation/ post-graduation (masters level) but the commencement of the internship should not be more than two years.
• Visa will be granted only on the basis of a letter from the Indian Company/Educational Institution/NGO, Foreign Missions/Posts in India and foreign government organizations concerned sponsoring the applicant for the internship programme and clearly indicating the period of internship.
• In case of internship in a Company, the applicant being sponsored for internship should draw a minimum remuneration of Rs.3.60 Lakhs per annum. There will be no minimum salary limit in case of internship in Educational Institutions, NGOs, Foreign Missions/Posts in India and foreign government organizations.
• Earnings from internship of the applicant with Indian companies/Educational Institutions/NGOs will be subject to the Indian Income Tax regulations.
• Under no circumstances, the intern will be allowed to take up employment in India immediately after completion of the internship programme.

All applicants for internship sponsored by AIESEC will have to meet the above mentioned conditions.

• Issuance of intern visa will be subject to internal evaluation.
• Issuance of intern visa to applicants intending to pursue internship in an NGO and applicants holding passports of other than French may take more than a month time from date of submission of the visa application.

Documents required for internship Visa

This visa allows you to travel to India for a longer period. Due to this fact, Entry visas are restricted to applicants with the following cases:

• A person of Indian origin
• Spouse and children of a person of Indian nationality or origin
• Applicants coming to join Auroville Foundation / Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Puducherry / Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata / similar approved organizations, temples and foreign Buddhist monks coming to join Buddhist Monasteries/other Buddhist organizations for charity work
• Applicants participating in international Sports events
• Applicants travelling to India for acclaimed mountaineering expeditions
• Applicants owning a property wishing to reside in India

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ENTRY VISAS:

• Applicants applying on dependent or spouse basis must be married. Civil partnership (PACS) is not recognised by the Indian Government and hence such applicants must apply for a Tourist visa .

This visa allows you to travel to India to attend a conference (mathematics conference, medical conference…)

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CONFERENCE VISAS:

• Applicants attending an internal company conference or a business fair may apply for a Business visa .

Generally, the Embassy of India issues a visa valid for 3 months, 2 entries. This visa cannot be exchanged and cannot be extended in India. The Embassy of India, Paris reserve the right to grant the visa for a shorter duration than that requested. In such cases no refund of fees paid would be made.

The “Journalist” visa is a term given to a visa category grouping up multiple sectors of activity. Regardless of the purpose of visit (tourism, personal or professional), applicants working in the following fields of activity are obliged to apply exclusively for a “Journalist” visa: cinema, television, media, writing, publishing, press, photography, communication, advertising… (this list is non-exhaustive).

Generally, the Embassy of India issues a visa valid for 3 months, single entry. This visa cannot be exchanged and cannot be renewed in India.

Please note that a 'journalist' travelling to India for tourist or personal purposes must apply for a Journalist visa and not a Tourist visa. However, the only additional requirement for this is a declaration from the applicant that he or she would not engage in any kind of professional activity while in India.

Applicants going for a commercial shooting (featured film, reality tv, commercial….) in India whether they are crew members, technicians, actors or producers, must apply for film visa.

This visa allows you to travel to India for a very short period in which you can change flights at an airport. You are also able to leave the transit zone of the airport.

Generally, the Embassy of India issues a visa valid for 15 days, 2 entries. However, maximum stay in India must not exceed 72 hours for each visit. This visa cannot be exchanged and cannot be renewed in India. T he Embassy of India, Paris reserve the right to grant the visa for a shorter duration than that requested. In such cases no refund of fees paid would be made.

Please note: Like all other visa categories, the Transit Visa validity begins from the date of issue of the visa. Should you require a longer validity, you should apply for a Tourist Visa.

Each visa application is processed individually by the Embassy of India: as a result processing times may vary between applications that appear to be similar. It is particularly frequent for families and groups who have submitted their applications simultaneously to receive their visas with a few days’s gap.

Please refer to the Student Visa page.

This visa allows patients to visit India for medical treatment. The following persons are not eligible for Medical visas:

• Applicants wishing to discover Indian wellness techniques (ayurveda, yoga, meditation, massage, spa…) are required to apply for a Tourist Visa .

The Embassy of India decides on the validity and the duration of the visa on a case-by-case basis after a complete examination of the visa application file. The Medical Visa permits unlimited stay during the validity of the visa but any stay exceeding 6 months requires a registration at the FRO (Foreigner's Registration Office in Delhi) or the FRRO (Foreigner's Regional Registration Office) within the 14 days of your arrival in India.

Medical Attendant Visa

This visa allows you to travel to India for repatriating a patient from a hospital or clinic.

Medical attendant visas are generally granted for a short period based on the duration of the repatriation mission. Medical attendant visas cannot be exchanged or extended in India. The Embassy of India, Paris reserve the right to grant the visa for a shorter duration than that requested. In such cases no refund of fees paid would be made.

The “film” visa is a term given to a visa category grouping up multiple sectors of activity. Applicants going for a commercial shooting (featured film, reality tv, commercial….) in India whether they are crew members, technicians, actors or producers, must apply for film visa. (this list is non-exhaustive).

Generally, the Embassy of India issues a visa valid for the duration of the shooting. This visa cannot be exchanged and cannot be renewed in India.

Please Note: There is one self-service Photo-booth available in our Paris office.

Transfer Of Visa

The visa allows you to travel to transfer a valid visa from an old passport to a new one.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSFER OF VISA :

• Applicants who are not able to present the original passport with the original visa inside
• Applicants whose original visa is not valid for one month or more

The validity of the visa would be as per the duration remaining on your current visa and not longer. If you wish to have a visa for a longer period you would need to apply for a new one. The Embassy of India, Paris reserve the right to grant the visa for a shorter duration than that requested. In such cases no refund of fees paid would be made.

Your visa application file may require additional documents as per your nationality, origin, the mode of submission you have chosen or the age of the applicant. You may find all the additional forms on this page.