How Indian passport holders get a visa for France: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via France-Visas + VFS in India
- Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel insurance mandatory.
- Processing time: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 6–8 weeks during peak summer Olympic-spillover and Christmas months.
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 38/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years
- Printed France-Visas application form and receipt
- Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background)
- Cover letter explaining itinerary and purpose
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking
- Hotel bookings for every night in Schengen / day-by-day itinerary
- Bank statements for last 3 months
- ITR for last 2 years
- Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover
- Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST and company registration
How & where to apply
Start on the official France-Visas portal (france-visas.gouv.fr), then book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global France centre. VFS France runs centres in Delhi (consolidated at the new KG Marg super-centre from 15 Feb 2026), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Goa, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kochi, Puducherry. France-Visas — official Indian applicant portal
Transit & connections
An ordinary Schengen visa lets you transit any Schengen airport landside.
How France compares in Schengen Europe
With an ease score of 38/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. France requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via France-Visas + VFS in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 6–8 weeks during peak summer Olympic-spillover and Christmas months. |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — via Denmark embassy + VFS in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024). Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS Global service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Royal Danish Embassy New Delhi (which represents Iceland). Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 8 weeks during the May–September peak. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via BLS International in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024) — collected in INR (~₹9,599 for adults; ~₹4,799 for children 6–12; under 6 free). BLS International service charge extra (~₹1,802). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 10–15 working days at the Spanish Embassy New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai. Realistically 2–4 weeks; longer during May–August peak. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~₹2,000–2,400. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Danish Embassy New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; allow 4 weeks minimum in March–September peak. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge (~₹2,000 / €20). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 45 working days in peak. Add 2 days courier from Delhi, 4–6 days from other cities. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
France is one of the highest-volume Schengen issuers for Indians but Delhi slots have been disrupted by the move to the new consolidated KG Marg super-centre from 15 Feb 2026 — book early or apply via Mumbai or Bengaluru. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://in.ambafrance.org/
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for France?
Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via France-Visas + VFS in India. France is one of the highest-volume Schengen issuers for Indians but Delhi slots have been disrupted by the move to the new consolidated KG Marg super-centre from 15 Feb 2026 — book early or apply via Mumbai or Bengaluru.
What documents do Indians need for a France visa?
Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years; Printed France-Visas application form and receipt; Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background); Cover letter explaining itinerary and purpose; Confirmed round-trip flight booking; Hotel bookings for every night in Schengen / day-by-day itinerary; Bank statements for last 3 months; ITR for last 2 years; Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover; Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST and company registration
How long does a France visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 6–8 weeks during peak summer Olympic-spillover and Christmas months.. Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel insurance mandatory.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area.
How do Indians apply for a France visa?
Start on the official France-Visas portal (france-visas.gouv.fr), then book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global France centre. VFS France runs centres in Delhi (consolidated at the new KG Marg super-centre from 15 Feb 2026), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Goa, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kochi, Puducherry. Official source: https://in.ambafrance.org/
Is a France visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 38/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a France visa online or on arrival?
France requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
More visas nearby
← All visa guides for Indian travellers · Get expert help with your France visa