France · Schengen Type C
France Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C) from India
The France tourist visa from India is a short-stay Schengen Type C visa for up to 90 days. We prepare your complete, embassy-ready file for ₹10,000 — you pay the embassy fee separately at VFS.
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This complete guide to the France tourist visa from India covers who needs a France tourist visa from India, the documents and bank balance required, the fees, processing time, VFS centres across India, and how to appeal a refusal in Nantes. FastVisa123 builds your entire France tourist visa from India file for ₹10,000.
France tourist visa from India at a glance
Visa type
Schengen Type C — short-stay tourist
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
Entry type
Single, double or multiple (consulate decides)
Processing & appointment
≈15 working days for a first application. In peak season or after a rejection a slot can take up to ~3 months.
Where you apply
VFS Global — New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kochi, Goa, Jalandhar & Puducherry
If refused
Appeal to the CRRV in Nantes within 30 days, then the Administrative Tribunal of Nantes within 2 months
What is a France Schengen Type C visa?
The France tourist visa from India is a Schengen Type C short-stay visa that lets you visit France — and the rest of the Schengen Area — for tourism, visiting family or friends, or short business trips, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If France is your main destination, you apply through the French consulate via VFS Global in India. For official rules see France-Visas.
It is not a work or long-stay residence visa. For stays longer than 90 days, study, or employment, you would need a national (Type D) visa instead.
Best for
- Tourism & sightseeing
- Visiting family or friends
- Short business meetings / events
- Multi-country Schengen trips
Fee breakdown
A France tourist visa from India has two fees — the one you pay us, and the one you pay the embassy.
Our service fee
₹11,800 / applicant
Online · ₹10,000 + 18% GST = ₹11,800 · GST invoice provided, claim input credit with your GSTIN
- VFS appointment booking
- Personalised cover letter
- Schengen-compliant travel insurance
- Dummy round-trip flight reservation
- Hotel bookings for the visa file
- Day-wise itinerary
- Application form filling & document review
- WhatsApp support throughout
Embassy / consulate fee
~₹10,000 (€90 + VFS)
Paid directly at VFS on appointment day
- Embassy / Schengen visa fee — €90 (≈ ₹10,000)
- VFS service / biometric charge (varies by city)
- Optional courier, lounge & SMS updates charged extra at VFS
Total cost ≈ ₹21,800 per applicant, plus any optional VFS courier/SMS charges. Children under 6 pay a reduced embassy fee.
Documents required
For a France tourist visa from India, a few documents come from you. The rest, we prepare for your file.
Everyone uploads
- Passport (front & back, 6+ months validity)
- Passport photo, 35×45 mm, white background
- Signature on white paper
- Bank statement — last 3 months (see balance below)
If salaried
- Salary account statement — last 3–6 months
- NOC from employer (on letterhead)
- Last 3 salary slips
- Form 16 / latest ITR
If self-employed
- Current account statement — last 3–6 months
- Udyam Aadhaar / GST certificate
- Last 2 years of ITR
If a student
- Bonafide / NOC from college
- Sponsor bank statement & ITR
- Relationship proof with sponsor
We prepare for you
- Round-trip flight ticket reservations
- Hotel bookings for your full stay
- Day-wise travel itinerary
- Schengen travel insurance (€30,000)
- Cover letter & filled application form
How much balance do you need?
France expects proof of sufficient funds, roughly €65 per day of stay when your accommodation is pre-booked (about €120/day otherwise). In practice, for a France tourist visa from India we recommend holding at least ₹2 lakh+ as a stable balance over the last 3–6 months, plus a regular monthly income. Salaried applicants submit their salary account statement; self-employed applicants their current account statement.
How your France tourist visa from India application works
1
Upload documents
Share your passport, photo, bank statement and employment proof.
2
Pay ₹11,800
Secure UPI / card / net banking. We start the same day.
3
We build your file
Cover letter, flights, hotels, itinerary, insurance — in 3–5 working days.
4
Visit VFS
Pay the embassy fee, submit biometrics, await the decision.
France visa refused? Here is how to appeal
A France tourist visa from India can be refused, and France has one of the clearest appeal routes. You have 30 days to file a mandatory appeal with the Commission de recours (CRRV) in Nantes, and then 2 months to take it to the Administrative Tribunal of Nantes.
We offer a free review of your refusal letter and tell you honestly whether a stronger re-application or a formal Nantes appeal is your best move.
How we lower your risk
- Consulate-style cover letter tailored to your profile
- Finances presented the way officers expect
- Itinerary, flights & hotels that line up perfectly
- Schengen-compliant €30,000 insurance
- Honest profile check before you pay
Why Indian travellers choose FastVisa123 for a France tourist visa from India
Embassy-ready files
Built to the French consulate exact requirements.
WhatsApp-first support
No office visits — everything online.
Made for Indian profiles
ITR, Form 16, NOC, Udyam — we know the paperwork.
Ready in 3–5 days
Fast turnaround once you have uploaded your documents.
Honest & transparent
We never promise approval — the embassy decides.
Appeal support
Free refusal-letter review and Nantes appeal guidance.
France tourist visa from India — FAQ
Where is your office? Can I visit you in person?
FastVisa123 operates fully remotely across India. We do not have a walk-in office or a fixed location to visit, and that is deliberate: working online and over WhatsApp keeps our fee low and lets us help applicants in any city. If you would like to talk to us directly, we can schedule a virtual meeting on request.
How much bank balance do I need for a France tourist visa?
France expects proof of sufficient funds, roughly €65 per day of stay when your accommodation is pre-booked (about €120 per day otherwise). In practice we recommend holding at least ₹2 lakh+ as a stable balance over the last 3 to 6 months, plus a regular monthly income flow. Salaried applicants submit their salary account statement; self-employed applicants submit their current account statement.
Which account statement do I submit for a France visa?
If you are salaried, submit your salary account statement for the last 3 to 6 months with salary slips and Form 16 or ITR. If you are self-employed, submit your current (business) account statement plus GST or Udyam registration and the last 2 years of ITR. The consulate wants to see steady income, not just a one-time balance.
How long does the France tourist visa take and how soon can I get an appointment?
Processing is usually about 15 working days from biometrics for a first-time application. Appointment slots open up to a few months ahead, but in peak season or when re-applying after a rejection the wait for a slot can stretch up to around 3 months. Apply at least 6 weeks before travel.
How do I appeal if my France visa is rejected?
France has a two-stage appeal. First, within 30 days of the refusal you file a mandatory administrative appeal with the Commission de recours contre les décisions de refus de visa (CRRV) in Nantes. If that is rejected, you have 2 months to appeal to the Administrative Tribunal of Nantes. We review your refusal letter for free and help you choose between a stronger re-application and a formal appeal.
What happens to the appointment timeline if my France visa was rejected?
After a rejection you can re-apply, but appointment availability is often tighter and a new slot can take up to around 3 months in busy periods. That is why we first assess your refusal letter and advise whether re-applying or appealing in Nantes is the faster, stronger route for your case.
Which VFS centre should I apply at for France?
France runs VFS Global centres in many Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kochi, Goa, Jalandhar and Puducherry. We book the appointment for you at the city you prefer.
What exactly does FastVisa123 prepare for my France file?
For your ₹10,000 service fee we prepare your round-trip flight ticket reservations, hotel bookings for your full stay, a day-wise travel itinerary, Schengen-compliant travel insurance with €30,000 cover, a consulate-style cover letter and your filled application form, and we book your VFS appointment.
Why is there an embassy fee on top of your ₹10,000 and are there extra charges?
Our ₹10,000 covers document preparation only. The embassy or Schengen visa fee is about €90 (≈ ₹10,000), paid at VFS on your appointment day, along with the VFS service charge. Optional VFS add-ons such as courier return of your passport, premium lounge and SMS updates are charged extra and are your choice.
Is travel insurance included?
Yes. A Schengen-compliant travel medical insurance policy covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses and repatriation, valid across all 27 Schengen states for your full trip, is included in our service.
Do I need to book actual paid flights and hotels before applying?
No. We provide verifiable flight ticket reservations and hotel bookings for the visa file. Book your actual paid tickets and accommodation only after your visa is approved.
Can I travel to other Schengen countries on a France visa?
Yes. A Schengen Type C visa issued by France lets you travel across all 27 Schengen countries, provided France is your main destination.
What is the difference between visa validity and length of stay?
Validity is the window during which your visa can be used; length of stay is how many days you may remain, which is up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period for a Type C visa.
Can someone sponsor my France trip?
Yes. A sponsor submits their bank statement, ITR and proof of relationship, plus a sponsorship affidavit. This is common for students and homemakers without their own income.
I am a freelancer or consultant, what do I submit instead of an NOC?
Submit your current account statement, GST or Udyam Aadhaar registration, and the last two years of ITR in place of an employer NOC. A short business profile or client invoices strengthen the file.
What are the most common reasons France tourist visas get rejected?
The frequent reasons are doubts about your intention to return to India, insufficient or unstable finances, an unclear itinerary, missing documents, and travel insurance that does not meet the €30,000 all-Schengen rule.
Is the ₹10,000 fee refundable if my visa is rejected?
No. The fee covers the work we complete to prepare your file, which is done regardless of the embassy decision. We are upfront about your chances before you pay and never promise approval.
Can I change my travel dates after I pay?
Your cover letter, itinerary, flights and hotels are built around your declared dates, so confirm them before we start. Changes after preparation begins may require rebuilding parts of the file.
Do you serve clients outside metro cities?
Yes. We help applicants from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India, entirely online and over WhatsApp, with the appointment booked at your nearest VFS centre.
How much bank balance do I need for a France Schengen visa?
There is no single official figure, but consulates look at your last 3–6 months of statements as a pattern, not just the closing balance. Plan for roughly €70–100 per day of your trip — about €700–1,000 visible for a 10-day visit — plus a comfortable buffer; many Indian applicants keep ₹2 lakh or more steady. Avoid a sudden large deposit right before applying, as unexplained money raises doubts. A stable, well-funded account held over several months is far more convincing than a one-time top-up.
How many days before travel should I apply for a France visa?
You can lodge your application up to 6 months before departure and must apply at least 15 calendar days before you travel. For first-time applicants we recommend booking your VFS appointment 4–8 weeks ahead, because slots fill quickly in the summer and holiday seasons. Applying early also leaves room for any extra checks the consulate may run.
How long is a France Schengen visa valid and can I get multiple entry?
A short-stay (Type C) visa lets you stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. First-time applicants are often granted a single-entry visa matching their travel dates. Once you have used two Schengen visas correctly within three years you can qualify for a 2-year multiple-entry visa, and later a 5-year one, as long as your passport has enough remaining validity.
Do I have to give biometrics every time I apply for a France visa?
No. Your fingerprints and photo are captured once at the visa centre and stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 59 months — about five years. Within that period you can apply for any Schengen country, including France, without giving biometrics again, although the consulate can still ask you to appear in person if needed.
How long does France visa processing take?
Standard processing is around 15 calendar days from your appointment, but it can extend to 30–45 days during peak season or if additional document checks are required. Never book non-refundable flights or hotels before your visa is approved — we provide refundable reservations that satisfy the embassy without putting your money at risk.
What are the most common reasons France visas get rejected?
The single biggest reason is weak or inconsistent financial proof, followed by doubts about your intention to return to India (weak ties), an unclear travel purpose or itinerary, non-compliant insurance, and applying to the wrong country. Before we file, we pre-check your file against each of these exact grounds so the application answers them in advance.
Which Schengen country should I apply to if I’m visiting several?
Apply to the country where you will spend the most nights — your main destination. If the nights are split equally, apply to the country you enter first. Applying to an ‘easier’ country when it is not your real main destination breaks the main-destination rule and is a common cause of refusal.
Can I apply for a France visa after a previous Schengen rejection?
Yes. There is no mandatory waiting period and a past refusal does not bar you. Your new application simply has to clearly fix the reason you were refused and disclose your travel history honestly — all consulates can see your history through the shared VIS. Many Indian applicants succeed on the second attempt once the original issue is addressed.
Do I need a confirmed flight and hotel booking for a France visa?
You need reservations covering your full trip — a flight itinerary and hotel bookings for every night — but not paid, non-refundable tickets. We arrange refundable/confirmed-style bookings that meet embassy requirements, so you don’t spend on tickets before your visa is granted.
Is travel insurance mandatory for a France tourist visa?
Yes. You must hold travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000, valid across all Schengen countries for the entire duration of your stay. A missing or non-compliant policy is a frequent rejection reason, so we arrange a compliant policy as part of our service.
What does FastVisa123 charge for a France visa and is GST included?
Our professional service fee is ₹10,000 plus 18% GST — ₹11,800 in total. The embassy and VFS fees are separate and paid directly to them. We issue a proper GST invoice, so if you have a GSTIN you can claim the input credit on our fee.
What is the 90/180 rule for a France Schengen visa?
A short-stay Schengen visa lets you spend a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen area — not only France. Every day you are physically inside Schengen counts, and the 180-day window keeps moving, so track your days to avoid an overstay. This limit applies no matter how many entries your visa allows.
What is the difference between a single-entry and a multiple-entry France visa?
A single-entry visa lets you enter the Schengen area once — if you leave, the visa is used up even if days remain. A multiple-entry visa lets you enter and exit as often as you like during its validity, as long as you respect the 90/180-day limit. First-time applicants usually get single-entry matching their trip, while frequent, compliant travellers can earn 1-, 2- or 5-year multiple-entry visas.
What are the France visa requirements for children and minors?
For a minor you typically need the child’s passport and photos, birth certificate, the visa form signed by both parents or guardians, copies of both parents’ passports, and a notarised consent/NOC if the child travels with only one parent or alone. The parents’ financial documents prove funding. We prepare the complete minor file so nothing is missed.
What if my bank balance fluctuates a lot — will it affect my France visa?
Consulates look at the overall pattern over 3–6 months, not a single day’s figure, so normal salary credits and spending are fine. What raises doubts is a large, unexplained lump sum deposited just before applying. Keep a healthy average, avoid last-minute big deposits, and be ready to explain any large credit — we review your statements and flag anything that needs a covering note before you file.
I’m a housewife with no independent income — how do I get a France visa?
You can apply as a dependent: your spouse or a close family member acts as sponsor and provides their bank statements, income proof, ITR and a sponsorship/cover letter confirming they will fund your trip. Add your marriage certificate and proof of relationship. A strong sponsor and clear ties to India make these applications very achievable, and we structure the entire sponsored file for you.
I’m unemployed — can I still get a France Schengen visa?
Yes. Without a job you strengthen the file with other evidence: sufficient personal savings with a healthy 6-month balance, a sponsor’s documents if someone is funding you, and property or fixed deposits showing ties to India, plus a clear, honest cover letter explaining your situation and travel purpose. The key is proving you can fund the trip and will return.
How can a retired person apply for a France visa?
Retirees should show pension statements or proof of regular retirement income, bank statements with a comfortable balance, fixed deposits or investments, and property documents — all of which demonstrate funds and strong ties to India. A short cover letter explaining the trip rounds it off. Retired applicants often have strong profiles thanks to savings and clear roots at home.
How can a self-employed person or business owner get a France visa?
Submit your business registration or GST certificate, the last 6 months of current-account statements, business and personal ITRs, and proof of the firm’s standing. A cover letter on company letterhead explaining the trip and your role helps. A stable, running business is excellent evidence of both funds and ties to India.
How do I show strong ties to India for a France visa?
Ties reassure the consulate you will return home. The strongest are a stable job (with a leave-approval/NOC letter) or a running business, property ownership, family responsibilities such as a spouse, children or dependent parents, and financial roots like fixed deposits. The more of these you document, the lower the perceived risk — and ‘intention to return’ is one of the biggest factors in approval.
Do I need a cover letter for my France visa, and what should it include?
A cover letter is strongly recommended. It should state your purpose of travel, exact dates, a brief day-wise itinerary, where you will stay, who is funding the trip, your ties to India, and confirmation you will return on time. A clear, consistent cover letter ties your whole file together — we draft one tailored to your profile.
I’ll be staying with a friend or relative in France — do I need an invitation letter?
Yes. If you stay privately rather than in a hotel, your host should provide an invitation letter with their details and address, a copy of their ID or residence permit, and sometimes proof of accommodation; in some countries this is an official sponsorship/attestation document. We tell you exactly what your host in France needs to provide.
Can I apply for a France visa if I overstayed a Schengen visa before?
You can still apply, but a previous overstay is a serious red flag and may have triggered an entry ban, so honesty is essential — it is visible in the system. Be ready to explain the circumstances and present a much stronger file (finances, ties, clear purpose). We assess your history first and advise candidly on your realistic chances before you spend on a fresh application.
Are income tax returns (ITR) mandatory for a France visa?
ITRs are not always strictly mandatory, but they are among the most convincing proof of income and stability, so submit the last 2–3 years if you have them. If you have not filed, compensate with strong bank statements, salary slips, Form 16, or a sponsor’s ITR, and explain the gap honestly in your cover letter.
Is a visa interview mandatory, and what happens on the appointment day?
Unlike some countries, Schengen tourist visas usually do not involve a formal interview — your appointment is mainly to submit documents and give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). Occasionally the consulate may ask a few questions. Arrive with your full document set and appointment confirmation; the visit itself is typically quick.
Key facts at a glance
90 / 180
Max stay: 90 days in any 180-day period
€30,000
Minimum travel medical insurance cover
15 days
Apply at least 15 days before travel (up to 6 months ahead)
~15%
India’s 2024 Schengen refusal rate
Sources & official references
This guide is based on official EU and consular rules. Visa decisions rest solely with the authorities — always confirm current requirements before you apply.
Ready to apply for your France tourist visa from India?
Upload your documents and pay ₹10,000 to get your embassy-ready France tourist visa from India file in 3–5 working days.
Start your France visa application
Share a few basic details and our team will review your profile and reply on WhatsApp, usually within a few hours.
What’s in your ₹10,000 file
Visa refused before — even with a strong profile? See how to reapply or appeal the right way →
Need help filing from your city?
Local Schengen visa filing assistance, including help for applicants refused despite a strong profile.