(2)-18.116.85.108, lrs3jh0wxbzlh3tfc41glmvg

My Account

New here? Register

Types of France Visa

Blessed with an amazing climate and unmatched natural beauty, France has long been on the bucket list of many travel enthusiasts. Filled with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Louvre - home to the most well-known piece of art – The Mona Lisa, the beautiful and captivating country of France is a must-visit for all who love romance, history, fashion, wine, and of course good food. Since this iconic country is also a part of the Schengen Agreement, a Schengen visa allows the holder to enter the country and enjoy their France tour package without needing to apply for a France visa separately. But if you don’t have a Schengen visa already, you can always apply for a France visa online.

In order to initiate the France visas process, one needs to understand the different visa types for France and the most suitable one according to their journey type too. Understanding the France visa types is very important as choosing the wrong France visa category may lead to a France visa rejection.

Here are the Different Types of France Visa for Indians:

Airport Transit Visa

A France Airport Transit Visa (ATV), also known as a France Type-A visa, allows entry to individuals who will transit through a French airport to another country, without entering into the territory of France.
It is valid only for 24 hours.
Whether you need a Transit visa to pass through France or not depends on your nationality.
There are 3 Types of ATVs available:

One-way ATV- allows you a one-way transit through any Schengen country.
Return ATV – allows you to transit through one or two Schengen countries.
Multiple ATV – allows you several transits through the Schengen countries.

Note: Airport Transit Visa holders are not permitted to enter the Schengen country from where they plan to transit.

France Short Stay Tourist Visa

The Short Stay France Tourist Visa is for applicants who want to visit France for the purpose of tourism or family visits for a period shorter than 90 days.
Applicants intending to take part in short internships, training programs, conferences, and corporate meetings, are also issued this France travel visa.
This type of visa, which is also known as a France Type-C visa, permits you to stay in France for 90 days at most over a period of 180 days.
It can be a single entry or a multiple entry visa depending upon type of trip.
Applicants who need to change their airport in transit or need to wait at a hotel for their transfer flight are required to have a Short Stay Visa France.
Unless the visa is marked as a Limited Territorial Validity Visa (LTV), you are permitted to travel with this visa to other Schengen countries within the period of the visa validity.

France Short Stay Family Visa

The France Family Visa makes it possible for non-EU family members of French residents that live outside of France to come to France and meet their parents, children, or spouse.
This visa permits you to stay in France for 90 days at most within a period of 180 days.

This type of visa has a few subtypes, which are explained below:

Schengen Visa France to marry a French Citizen: If you are planning to marry a French citizen in France then you will have to apply for this type of visa. The main thing that you need to possess when submitting your application is the documents regarding the intended wedding. In addition, you will have to submit information regarding the French citizen you are planning to marry.

Spouse of a French Citizen: This is a visa issued to spouses of French citizens living in third world countries, who wish to visit their spouses for a shorter period than three months. Among the main France visa requirements that the foreign national has to submit in this case is the French marriage certificate.

Family member of an EU Citizen: Every third-world national citizen that has an EU family member, spouse, or parent, aside from French, can apply for this type of visa. Applicants need to submit evidence to prove the family relationship between the EU citizen and their family member.

France Long Stay Visa

If an applicant plans to stay in France for more than 90 days, they need to apply for a Long Stay France Visa.
Also known as France Visa Type-D, the validity of this visa is between 3 months and 1 year.
You can apply for a France Visa Extension or a residence permit if the validity of the visa expires. A Long term France visa that acts as a residence permit is called a “visa long séjour valant titre de séjour (VLS-TS).
A special working holiday long stay visa – vacances-travail is also issued under special circumstances. Those between the ages of 18 and 30 are eligible for the France working holiday visa. In addition to allowing them to work and earn some money, it allows them to travel to France for a year.
Student long stay visa is called “visa long séjour valant titre de séjour "étudiant"” (VLS-TS "étudiant") and is a valid residence permit for students. It permits the applicant to stay and study in France for up to a year.
Long term internship is permitted in France for over 120 days with the Intern Visa VLS-TS. A temporary residence permit can be obtained after this visa expires.
Applicants can apply for a temporary "job seeker/new business creator" residence permit (Carte de séjour "recherche d'emploi/creation d'entreprise") after completing their studies and receiving a French higher education diploma. It will enable them to find employment or start their own business in France. There must be some level of education. You can also apply if you're a researcher who has finished your research.

Professional Visa

The France professional visa is for applicants who will be gainfully working during their stay in France. These applicants have to provide a Temporary Work Permit with their visa applications at the embassy or consulate of France in their home country.

Researcher Visa

Every individual that plans to enter research activities in France has to apply for a Research visa. For the short-stay visa, the applicant must first obtain a document called “Convention d’Accueil” which is issued by the Research Centre or University where he will participate or carry out the research and have it approved by the local authority. With the "researcher-talent passport" long-stay visa, you can study for a Ph.D., conduct research, or work as an educator in France. It can be extended as a multiple-year resident permit.

Religious Orders

Members of the Christian confessions, Catholic or Protestant, can apply for this visa in order to enter France to carry religious duties. The applicant for this type of France visa needs to submit a letter of invitation from the appointed representative of the religious order or institute, alongside the other documents.

Short-term study visa

The French short-term study visa is for international students who wish to come to France for study purposes that are shorter than 90 days. The short-stay study visa allows entry to students who want to attend a university or college. Since one semester lasts for at least 4 months, the students have to apply for a long-term visa instead. Students with a Short Stay Visa - Student Course (étudiant concours) specification can apply for a Student Residence Permit in France.

Training for students or professionals: Students or professionals that need to attend training in France, which takes less than 90 days to complete, will have to apply for this type of visa, and submit a document called “Convention de stage” issued by the inviting party before they arrive in France.

School Trips: This is a visa established for minors going to France for a school trip. Among other main requirements, the applicant must submit a letter from the school with all details on the trip as well as parental authorization when applying for this type of visa.

Sportsperson Visa

Sportsmen or sportswomen that are planning to participate in some kind of training or participate in sports activities will have to apply for this visa first. Before they enter France, these individuals will have to obtain work authorization.

Medical Visa

Applicants planning to visit France to receive medical treatment can receive the necessary medical care at any recognised hospital for 90 days over a period of 180 days.

General Case

If you do not find your case in any of the groups of visa applicants listed above, then you will have to apply for a France Schengen General Case short-stay visa.

How to apply for France Visa:

Applying for a France visa is simple, just follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Visit Akbartravels.com and fill out the France visa application form.
2. Pay your France visa cost and submit all the relevant documents for France tourist visa online.
3. We will verify all your France tourist visa documents and book an appointment at the VFS VAC.
4. On the day of the France visa appointment, you are required to visit the VFS VAC and provide your biometrics (fingerprints), and digital photograph along with all the documents.
5. After your France visa processing is complete , you will receive it via courier or will have to visit the VAC to collect your passport.

France Visa Processing Time

Normally it takes between 5 to 20 days to process a France Visa. However, it may change due to many factors such as holidays, peak travel season, etc.

FAQs:

Q.Is the France Visa cost for Indian refundable in case I withdraw my application?

Ans - No. Once you fill out the France tourist visa application form and pay the France tourist visa, you cannot withdraw or cancel your France tourist visa application. Also, the France tourist visa price is non-refundable.

Q.How long is the France tourist Visa processing time?

Ans - If you fulfill all the France tourist visa requirements and there is no discrepancy in your France visa form, then your France visa will be processed within 5 to 20 working days.

Q.How to apply for Paris Visa?

Ans - The steps to apply for a Paris visa are the same as the application process for a France visa as Paris visa and France visa are one and the same thing.

Q.Is France Visa free for Indians?

Ans - No. Indians planning to visit France must have a valid visitor visa for France from India.

Q.How much is France Visa fee?

Ans - The France visa price is INR 7,199.

Q.What type of Visa do I need to work in France?

Ans - If your employment contract is for less than 3 months you will be issued a Short Stay France Visa and if your term of employment is more than 3 months you will be issued a Long Stay France Visa. You will have to submit a copy of your employment contract along with your France work visa application whereas your employer would be required to apply for your France work permit.

Q.Can I extend my VLS TS?

Ans - Yes. If you plan to stay in France and continue working or complete your studies or research you can apply for a France visa extension known as - “carte de séjour pluriannuelle” which is a multi-year residence permit before your VLS TS expires.

Q.Does France give visa easily?

Ans - Yes. If the France visa applications are properly filled and you have submitted all the proper France tourist visa documents required then you can easily get your France visa. However, if there is any error in the France tourist visa application or if you have submitted fake or incorrect documents then you may face a France visa rejection. The final decision to grant a visa for France for Indian citizens depends solely upon the discretion of the French Consular Authorities.

Q.What is C type Visa for France?

Ans - A C type visa is a Short Stay tourist visa for France from India. It is valid for 6 months and it permits the visa holder to stay in France for a duration of 90 days. It can be a single entry or a multiple entry visa.

Q.What is D Visa France?

Ans - Long Stay France Tourist Visa is called the D Visa for France. It is a multiple entry visa that is valid between 3 months to 1 year and visitors can stay in France for 90 days per visit with this visa.

How can Akbar Travels Help?

The application for a France visa for Indians can get complicated as it involves online form filling and scheduling appointments. Some applications can even result in rejection if not applied correctly with the supporting documentation. Hence, it is advisable to take the help of a reliable travel agent. Trust Akbartravels.com to take care of your visa application right from verifying your documents to stamping your France visa. Moreover, from cheap flightstoFrance, visa to accommodation France tour packages and everything in between, we can handle it all.

France Visa Blogs

Apply Visa Online

International Holiday Packages

Domestic Holiday Packages

Packages by Themes

Domestic Flights

International Flights