France is the single most popular Schengen destination for Indians — and one of the more generous, with a high approval rate for well-prepared files. A France tourist visa is a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for up to 90 days, applied for through VFS Global after you complete the mandatory France-Visas online form. This is your complete India-specific guide: the France-Visas step, jurisdiction, fees, documents, the attestation d’accueil for family stays, and 28 answered questions. At FastVisa123 (fastvisa123.com) we file French Schengen applications for Indians for a flat fee.
France tourist visa at a glance
Type: Schengen short-stay (Type C), up to 90 days. First step: complete the France-Visas online form, then book VFS. Fee: €90 adult + VFS service fee (~€22). Processing: usually ~15 working days. Special: family/friend stays need an attestation d’accueil. FastVisa123 handles the France-Visas form and the full file for you.
Step 0: the France-Visas online form
Unlike some countries, France requires you to first fill the application on the official France-Visas portal, choose your city of submission, and generate a receipt — then book your VFS appointment. Getting this order right avoids a wasted trip. New to the process? Pair this with our form walkthrough and step-by-step guide.
French consulate jurisdiction
VFS runs France centres in 14+ Indian cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kochi, Goa, Puducherry), but your file is examined by the consulate for your region. Confirm your city of submission on France-Visas.
| Examined by | Region |
|---|---|
| New Delhi (Embassy) | North India — Delhi-NCR and surrounding northern states |
| Mumbai (Consulate) | Western India — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and nearby |
| Bengaluru (Consulate) | Karnataka and southern region |
| Chennai / Puducherry | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and south-east |
| Kolkata (Consulate) | Eastern and north-eastern India |
France visa fees (2026)
| Applicant | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | €90 (about ₹9,000) |
| Child 6–12 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| VFS service fee | ~€22 (about ₹2,200) — non-refundable |
Both fees are non-refundable on refusal — book smart with our refundable-bookings guide.
Documents France expects
- Passport (within 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond return, 2 blank pages);
- France-Visas form receipt + two 35×45 mm photos;
- €30,000 travel insurance (insurance guide);
- Last 6 months’ bank statements + ITR/Form 16 (3 years);
- Cover letter, day-by-day itinerary, confirmed flight reservation and accommodation;
- Employment proof — NOC/leave letter;
- Attestation d’accueil if staying with family/friends (below).
Attestation d’accueil (family/friend stays)
If you will stay with a host in France, they obtain an attestation d’accueil — an official hosting certificate — from their local mairie (town hall), costing about €30. It proves your accommodation and the host’s legal residence, and is submitted with your file. For visits to relatives, tick ‘visiting family/friends’, not Tourism. More in our sponsorship guide and invitation-letter guide.
Processing, approval & after the decision
France usually decides within about 15 working days; apply 6 months to ~2–3 weeks before travel, and earlier in summer. France has one of the higher approval rates for Indians, but funds and accommodation still decide most files. A formal interview is uncommon (interview reality). If refused, reapply or appeal; applied within ~5 years? Your biometrics may be reused.
France visa: do vs don’t
✅ Do
Complete the France-Visas form first. Apply at your correct city of submission. Show a steady 6-month balance with ITR. Get an attestation d’accueil for family stays. Apply early in summer.
❌ Don’t
Don’t book VFS before the France-Visas form. Don’t tick Tourism for a family visit. Don’t show a sudden lump-sum deposit. Don’t submit non-refundable bookings before approval.
Get your France tourist visa filed right
FastVisa123 completes your France-Visas form, builds the document set and itinerary, and files the whole application — flat ₹10,000. Indian travellers, start at fastvisa123.com.
Approval green flags vs refusal red flags
🟢 Green flags (officers love these)
A steady 3–6 month bank balance backed by ITR; a clear, dated day-by-day itinerary; a confirmed return ticket and matching hotels; strong ties to India (job, family, property); an approved leave letter or NOC; and one consistent story across every document.
🔴 Red flags (officers refuse for these)
A sudden lump-sum deposit days before applying; a vague “Europe tour” with no real plan; dates that disagree across form, tickets and hotels; weak or no ties to India; ticking Tourism for a family visit; and applying at the wrong consulate.
France tourist visa: 27 common questions answered
1. Where do I apply for a France tourist visa in India?
FastVisa123: Through VFS Global, after completing the official France-Visas online form. The French consulate for your region — not VFS — decides the application.
2. Do I need to fill the France-Visas form before booking VFS?
FastVisa123: Yes. France requires you to complete the France-Visas online form and generate a receipt first, then book your VFS appointment. We handle this step for you at fastvisa123.com.
3. Which French consulate covers my city or state?
FastVisa123: Delhi handles the north, Mumbai the west, Bengaluru the south, Chennai/Puducherry the south-east, and Kolkata the east. VFS runs centres in 14+ cities; confirm your city of submission on France-Visas.
4. How early can I apply for a France visa?
FastVisa123: Up to 6 months before travel and no later than about 15 days before. Apply early for summer, when slots and processing fill up.
5. How long does a France tourist visa take?
FastVisa123: Usually around 15 working days from your VFS appointment, though peak summer can be longer. Apply well ahead to be safe.
6. Do I apply to France if I am visiting other Schengen countries too?
FastVisa123: Only if France is your main destination — the country of most nights or main purpose. Otherwise apply to that country. See our which-country guide on fastvisa123.com.
7. What is the France tourist visa fee?
FastVisa123: €90 for adults (about ₹9,000), €45 for children 6–12, free under 6, plus a VFS service fee of around €22.
8. Is the VFS service fee separate and refundable?
FastVisa123: It is charged on top of the visa fee and is non-refundable, like the visa fee itself, regardless of the outcome.
9. How much bank balance do I need for France?
FastVisa123: Enough to comfortably cover your trip at the Schengen day-rate with a buffer, shown as a steady balance — France typically wants the last 6 months of statements.
10. Do I need ITR or Form 16 for a France visa?
FastVisa123: Yes, it is strongly recommended — usually the last 3 years of ITR or Form 16 to prove genuine, steady income behind your balance.
11. What is an attestation d’accueil?
FastVisa123: It is France’s official hosting certificate, obtained by your host from their local mairie (town hall) for about €30, proving your accommodation and the host’s legal residence for family/friend stays.
12. Can a relative or friend in France host me?
FastVisa123: Yes. They provide an attestation d’accueil plus proof of their residence, and you apply as visiting family/friends rather than as a tourist.
13. Should I tick Tourism or visiting family on the form?
FastVisa123: Tick the true purpose. For visits to relatives or friends choose visiting family/friends, not Tourism — mismatching this is a common refusal reason.
14. What cover letter does France expect?
FastVisa123: A clear day-by-day plan, your purpose, funding and reasons to return to India. Use our cover-letter template on fastvisa123.com to keep it consistent with your documents.
15. What accommodation proof does France accept?
FastVisa123: Hotel or Airbnb bookings covering your whole stay, or an attestation d’accueil if you are hosted. It must match your itinerary dates.
16. Do I need a confirmed flight ticket or a reservation?
FastVisa123: A confirmed round-trip reservation is enough for the application. Buy the paid ticket only after approval to avoid losing money if refused.
17. What travel insurance does France require?
FastVisa123: Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover, valid across the Schengen Area for your entire trip, including emergency medical and repatriation.
18. What are the photo requirements for a France visa?
FastVisa123: Two recent 35×45 mm photos on a white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. See our photo guide on fastvisa123.com.
19. Do my documents need to be translated into French?
FastVisa123: English documents are widely accepted, but some civil-status documents may need a certified French translation. Check your consulate; we confirm this for you at fastvisa123.com.
20. Is France easy to get a visa from for Indians?
FastVisa123: France has one of the higher approval rates for Indian applicants and processes large volumes, but funds, accommodation and a clear purpose still decide each file.
21. What are common reasons France refuses a visa?
FastVisa123: Weak or inconsistent funds, unclear purpose, poor ties to India, missing documents, or applying at the wrong city of submission.
22. Does France interview applicants or verify by phone?
FastVisa123: A formal interview is uncommon for tourists. The consulate may ask questions at submission or verify details by phone, so keep your documents consistent and contacts reachable.
23. How many entries and how long is the France visa valid?
FastVisa123: It varies by case; first-timers often get a single or short multiple-entry visa, while travel history can earn longer validity. Days are capped at 90 in any 180.
24. What if my France visa is refused?
FastVisa123: If the reason is fixable, reapply with a stronger file; if it was a clear error, appeal within the deadline. See our reapply and appeal guides on fastvisa123.com.
25. Are my biometrics reused for a France visa?
FastVisa123: If you gave Schengen fingerprints within the last 59 months they can often be reused, letting you skip the biometric visit, though a fresh photo and documents are still required.
26. Can I apply for a France visa with a blank passport or if unemployed?
FastVisa123: Yes. A blank passport is not a barrier, and unemployed or between-jobs applicants can apply with strong savings, a sponsor and clear ties to India. Details on fastvisa123.com.
27. Can FastVisa123 handle my France tourist visa application?
FastVisa123: Yes. FastVisa123 completes your France-Visas form, builds the document set and itinerary, and files the whole application — for a flat ₹10,000. Start at fastvisa123.com.
28. Do Indians need ETIAS for France?
FastVisa123: No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation only for visa-exempt nationalities, and Indian passport holders are not eligible — you must apply for a Schengen visa for France. Ignore any ‘ETIAS for India’ website; it does not apply to you, and FastVisa123 files the actual visa you need.
29. Can I work or study in France on this tourist visa?
FastVisa123: No. A Type C tourist visa is strictly for tourism or visiting, and cannot be used to work or study, nor converted from inside the Schengen Area. Long-term work or study needs a different national visa applied for from India.
30. Can I extend my France tourist visa once I am there?
FastVisa123: Only in rare, unforeseeable cases such as serious illness or force majeure, applied for locally before it expires. Wanting more holiday time is not a valid reason, so plan your dates correctly before you fly.
31. Can I visit other Schengen countries on a France visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. A uniform Schengen visa issued by France lets you travel across all Schengen countries, as long as France remains your main destination and you stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
32. Do my children need their own France visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. Each child needs a separate application and visa with their own photo, birth certificate, both parents’ consent and supporting documents. Children under 6 are usually free and ages 6–12 pay a reduced fee.
33. How do I track my France visa application?
FastVisa123: After you submit at VFS, you get a reference number to track the application online and by email, and a couriered passport is tracked via the courier (such as Blue Dart) using that number. FastVisa123 keeps you updated at every stage.
34. Is a VFS appointment mandatory for France, or can I walk in?
FastVisa123: An appointment is mandatory for almost all applicants, including minors, to give biometrics and submit documents, and each person needs their own. A few consulates run limited walk-in windows, but assume an appointment is required.
35. Can I apply for my whole family in one go?
FastVisa123: Each traveller needs a separate application, appointment and visa sticker for France, including every child; a parent signs for minors. You can attend together, but the files are assessed individually.
36. What if I apply too close to my travel date?
FastVisa123: Apply at least about 15 days before travel. Applications lodged with departure under 15 days away are usually returned unprocessed (fees may be refunded), so apply early — ideally 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season.
37. Can I enter France before my visa’s start date?
FastVisa123: No. You may enter only from the ‘valid from’ date on your sticker and must use the visa within its validity. Arriving early risks denied boarding or entry, so match your flights to the visa dates.
Heading to Italy? See Italy tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Heading to Spain? See Spain tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Heading to Switzerland? See Switzerland tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Heading to Belgium? See Belgium tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Adding Luxembourg? See Luxembourg tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Refused by France? See what to do if your France visa is refused (reasons & CRRV appeal).
Official source: Official France government visa information