France Visa for Indians

France Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults (approximately ₹8,500). Children aged 6-12 pay €45. Children under 6 are FREE. Additionally, VFS service charge is ₹2,202. Total cost including insurance: ₹12,000-15,000 per adult.

No, the France visa fee (€90) and VFS service charge (₹2,202) are non-refundable regardless of outcome. This is why proper documentation is important to avoid wasting ₹10,000+ on a rejected application.

Payment is made at the VFS center during your appointment. You can pay by cash, debit card, or credit card. Some premium services may have online payment options.

France has 14 VFS centers across India: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kochi, Goa, Jalandhar, and Puducherry. You can apply at ANY center regardless of your residence.

Standard processing is 15-30 days. During peak season (May-August), it may take up to 45 days. Apply at least 30-45 days before travel. You can apply up to 6 months in advance.

No, France does not require a visa interview. However, biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are mandatory at the VFS center. If you've given Schengen biometrics in the last 59 months, you may be exempt.

Apply to France only if: (1) You'll spend the MOST nights in France, OR (2) If equal nights in multiple countries, France is your FIRST entry point. Otherwise, apply to the country where you'll spend most nights.

Key documents: Valid passport (3+ months validity), application form, 2 photos, travel insurance (€30,000), flight booking, hotel booking, STAMPED bank statements (6 months), ITR (2-3 years), employment letter with leave dates, cover letter, and detailed itinerary.

Attestation d'accueil is an official hospitality certificate required when staying with family or friends in France. Your host must obtain it from their local city hall (mairie) in France. It proves your accommodation and your host's ability to support your stay.

No. Online/printed bank statements are NOT accepted. You must get physical statements from your bank with official bank STAMP and signature. This is one of the most common rejection reasons.

Show €50-100 per day of stay. For a 10-day France trip, have ₹50,000-₹1,00,000 available. Recommended total balance: ₹3,00,000+. Balance should be consistent over 6 months - avoid last-minute large deposits.

France visa approval rate for Indians is approximately 84% (2024 data). Out of 197,959 applications, 166,645 were approved and 31,314 were rejected. France had the most rejections by number, but this is due to high application volume.

France has highest rejection NUMBERS because it receives very high volume (197,959 applications). The rejection RATE (16%) is similar to other Schengen countries. Common reasons: insufficient funds, weak ties to India, incomplete documents.

Yes, you can reapply immediately with no waiting period. Address the specific rejection reason in your new application. Strengthen documentation and provide additional proof. Note: You'll pay the fees again (€90 + VFS).

Yes! Your France Schengen visa is valid for all 29 Schengen countries including Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, and more. You can freely travel between these countries. But UK and Ireland are NOT included.

Maximum 90 days in any 180-day period. This limit applies to your TOTAL stay across all Schengen countries combined. The 180 days is calculated on a rolling basis.

Extensions are extremely rare and only granted for exceptional circumstances (medical emergency, force majeure, etc.). Plan your trip within visa validity. Overstaying leads to fines and Schengen-wide entry ban.

Yes! Paris is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations. Apply as a couple, mention "honeymoon" in your cover letter, and include your marriage certificate. Popular: Paris, Nice, Provence. France visa gives access to other romantic destinations like Italy and Switzerland too.

France visa is moderately easy for first-timers with proper documentation. Focus on: detailed itinerary (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, etc.), strong bank balance (₹3L+), clear employment proof, and comprehensive cover letter. Approval rate is 84%.

Yes. Students need: college enrollment certificate, leave letter from college, parents' ITR and bank statements (as sponsors), and detailed travel plan. Summer vacation is popular time for student travel to France.