India
France
France visa for Indian citizens
Entry requirement
France requires Indian citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
- Where to apply
- 5 missions
- Visa guide
- France visa guide
Checked 31 October 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at in.ambafrance.org
Which France visa?
Uniform Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
- Processing time
- Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
For the tourist visa, France’s official sources give a standard fee of €90, and applications are made on france-visas.gouv.fr. Processing time, as France states it: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
French missions in India
- Embassy of France in New Delhi
Shanti Path 2/50-E, 110021 New Delhi
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- Consulate General of France in Kolkata
21C, Raja Santosh Road, Alipore, 700027 Calcutta, Kolkata
- Consulate General of France in Mumbai
Wockhardt Towers, East Wing, 5th Floor, Bandra Kurla Complex, 400051 Mumbai
- Consulate General of France in Bengaluru
Palace Road 21, 560052 Bangalore
All missions of France in India
France has 5 missions in India, with its embassy in New Delhi. Consulates: Puducherry, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
France: visa decisions in India
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 176,237 | 146,938 | 29,866 | 16.9% | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 197,959 | 165,564 | 31,314 | 15.9% | 33.5% |
| 2025 | 204,184 | 172,072 | 31,058 | 15.3% | 36.1% |
In 2025, France’s embassy and consulates in India (Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata) received 204,184 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 172,072. The refusal rate was 15.3%. That is barely different from 2024 (15.9%). Applications rose by 3% compared with 2024 (197,959).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 15.8% of the applications lodged in India that year, from 7.1% at the consulates of Denmark to 46.5% at those of Slovenia. France’s consulates worldwide refused 14.2%. France was the 2nd most applied-for Schengen state in India.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in India, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
French citizens travelling to India
FranceIndia e-Visa India visa for citizens of France
Travel advice for France
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Indian citizens planning a trip to France can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates France at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 20 October 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to France (updated 22 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for France (updated 28 October 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long Indian citizens can stay in France
How long Indian citizens may stay in France is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Indian citizens apply
In India, applications go to the French embassy in New Delhi and the consulates in Puducherry, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru, or to a visa centre acting for France; fees, documents and processing times are published by France.
France and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by France lets Indian citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to France when it is the main destination of the trip.
France’s neighbours for Indian citizens
Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Andorra, Monaco and Spain require Indian citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
French citizens travelling to India
French citizens need an e-Visa for India, applied for online before travel and valid for up to 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for France?
France requires Indian citizens to hold a visa issued in advance.
Where is the French embassy in India?
The French embassy in India is in New Delhi; there are also consulates in Puducherry, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
How much does the France tourist visa cost?
France’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually 15 days after lodging the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; allow extra time to obtain an appointment.
Do French citizens need a visa for India?
French citizens need an e-Visa for India, applied for online before travel and valid for up to 30 days.
Can Indian citizens enter France visa-free?
No; Indian citizens need a visa for France obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 31 October 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.