France Visa

Documents required for France Visa

• Must have Documents for France Visa:

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  • Original Passport with at least 6 months validity and minimum 3 blank pages + all old passports if any;
  • Visa Application form;
  • 2 recent colour photographs (Photo Specification);
  • Personal Covering letter (For Employed - Plain paper/ For Self-Employed – Company Letterhead);
  • Original updated Bank Statement (last 6 months);
  • Income Tax Returns/Form 16 for last 3 years;
  • Confirmed return flight tickets;
  • Hotel reservation;
  • Travel Insurance (minimum coverage of EUR 30000).

  Kindly note: The Govt is very strict on the photograph requirement; please ensure that your photos are as per the specifications.

• Supporting France Visa documents as per your occupation, type of visit:

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  1. If Employed:

  • Original Leave sanctioned certificate with company seal and signature;
  • Last 3 months salary slip.

  2. If Self Employed:

  • Business Registration License / MOA / Partnership deed;
  • Company’s updated bank statement of last 6 months;
  • Company’s IT returns for last 3 years.

  3. If Retired:

  • Proof of retirement like pension book, statement etc.

  4. If Student

  • School / College / Institute ID Card;
  • Bonafide certificate.

  5. If Minor

  • Birth Certificate;
  • No Objection Certificate from the parents / non-accompanying parent on Rs 100/- stamp paper;
  • ID proof of parent like passport or PAN card.

  6. If Visiting friend or relative

  • “Attestation d’accueil” from the Inviter;
  • Inviter’s ID proof like Passport or Resident Permit;
  • Address proof like any Electricity bill, any Utility bill etc.

  7. If Sponsored

  • Sponsorship letter;
  • Sponsor’s national ID proof like Passport, PAN card or Resident permit;
  • Updated bank statement of last 6 months;
  • Income tax returns of last 3 years.

  8. For Business Visa

  • Invitation letter from host Company stating purpose of trip, business details etc;
  • Covering letter from Indian company on company letterhead.

France Visa FAQs

• add remove What is France Schengen visa?

  France Schengen visa is a special kind of visa which allows you to travel among all the Schengen countries including France for a maximum period of upto 90 days. This is a traveller’s dream where with one visa you can travel to any of the other 25 Schengen countries along with France.

• add remove The Schengen Visa is valid for which countries?

  A Schengen Visa (issued by a consulate or embassy of a Schengen State) is valid for all 26 States of the Schengen Area (including the European territory of France), unless it is marked otherwise on the visa sticker. So you do not need another visa to enter or stay in the European territory of France. However, you must be in possession of documentary evidence for the reasons of your stay and your means of support. Schengen Area comprises of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

• add remove How long can I stay in the Schengen area on the basis of my visa?

  The Schengen Visa is a short stay visa and takes the form of a sticker affixed to your passport. The definition of “short stay” is a stay of "90 days in any 180 days period". This means that the total duration of stay is of maximum 90 days in any period of 180 days. The precise length of validity of your Schengen Visa is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading “Duration of visit”. With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. This is indicated on the visa sticker under the heading "Number of entries" by "1". A two-entry or a multiple-entry visa allows for two or several entries during the validity of the Schengen Visa. This is indicated on the visa sticker by "02" or "MULT" under the heading "Number of entries".

• add remove Will all Schengen Visas be granted for 90 days?

  No, not necessarily all Schengen Visas will be granted for 90 days. You may get the Schengen Visa only for the number of days that you present in your travel itinerary and your flight & hotel bookings

• add remove Can I apply again for a Schengen Visa if my application has been refused earlier?

  You are free to apply again for a Schengen Visa if your application has been refused earlier.

• add remove What is the Schengen Visa cover letter?

  The Schengen Visa cover letter is a letter which summarizes your intent to travel to a country that is part of the Schengen area. In your cover letter you should explain:

  • the purpose of your trip
  • when and where you intend to travel
  • how your trip is going to be funded
  • day-by-day itinerary for your trip
  • duration of the trip
• add remove As a French short-stay visa holder can I extend my Schengen Visa while in France?

  You cannot extend your French short-stay while in France except in special circumstances, and exceeding your permitted period of stay is considered an act of illegality or criminality. Instead, you must return to your home country within the permitted period of stay and apply for another France Visa if necessary.

  • the purpose of your trip
  • when and where you intend to travel
  • how your trip is going to be funded
  • day-by-day itinerary for your trip
  • duration of the trip
• add remove If my French short-stay multiple entry Schengen Visa is valid for a year, how long can I remain in the French territory?

  A short-stay Schengen Visa allows you to enter and stay in a French territory for a maximum period of 90 days within a period of six months.

• add remove How long before the start of the intended visit should I apply for a Schengen Visa?

  You may only submit your Schengen visa application 90 days before your date of departure. We recommend that you apply at least 20 working days before the date you wish to depart as certain types of travel purpose may take longer than usual to process. For instance, the processing time of your Schengen Visa Application will take between 5-15 working days from your appointment date.

• add remove How long does it take to obtain a France Visa?

  Typically, a France Visa (Schengen Visa) takes anywhere from 5 to 15 days to process in the France Embassy/Consulate. The processing time for a France Visa is dependent on several factors and can change without notice at the consulate's discretion.

• add remove How long does it take to obtain a France Schengen Visa?

  Yes, an appointment is mandatory for France Visa in order to provide your biometrics and submit your visa documents.

• add remove My family is also applying for the France Visa, how many appointments should we make?

  Every member of the family needs an individual appointment.

• add remove Which countries are part of the Schengen Area?

  The Schengen area covers 26 countries ("Schengen States") without border controls between them. These countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. These countries apply the common visa policy for short stay Visas. This Visa allows you to travel through France and the Schengen area for up to 90 days.

• add remove I am traveling to multiple Schengen countries. From which Consulate should I apply for my Schengen Visa?

  Schengen Visa must be applied from the Embassy / Consulate of the country where you will be staying for maximum number of days. If your stay has equal number of days in each country then you must apply to the Embassy / Consulate of the country which would serve as the first port of entry.

• add remove Can I leave the Schengen area and return again with my Schengen Visa?

  Schengen Visas may allow for a single-entry or multiple entries. With a single-entry visa you can enter the Schengen area only once. This is indicated on the visa sticker by "01". With a visa allowing for two or multiple entries you may enter twice or several times during the validity of the Schengen Visa.

• add remove What is the difference between a single-entry Schengen Visa and a multiple-entry Schengen Visa?

  According to the EU, a single-entry Schengen Visa allows entry to the Schengen area only once, meaning you are not permitted to re-enter the Schengen Area after leaving, while a multiple-entry Schengen Visa allows multiple entries into the Schengen Area within the visa’s validity period (90 days total within 180-day period).

• add remove Do I have to present any other document at the Schengen external borders apart from my travel document with the Schengen Visa?

  The short-stay visa does not automatically entitle you to enter the Schengen area. At the border (or during other controls) you may have to show the visa but also provide additional documentation, for example; sufficient evidence that you have sufficient means to cover the stay and the return trip. It is therefore recommended that you carry with you copies of the documents which you presented when applying for the Schengen visa (e.g. letters of invitation, travel confirmations, other documents stating the purpose of your stay).

• add remove Do I have to apply in person for the Schengen Visa?

  Yes, applications by mail will not be accepted. The Schengen visa application should be presented in person because biometrical data must be recorded.

• add remove Why is personal appearance mandatory for France Visa?

  As from 2nd November 2015 following the introduction of the Visa Information System (VIS), all Schengen visa applicants in India have to appear in person in order to provide biometric data (fingerprints and digital photography). The photograph can be digitally taken at the time of the application or scanned from an existing one. For subsequent applications within the 5 years the fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file in the VIS. In case of reasonable doubt regarding the identity of the applicant, the consulate will again collect fingerprints within the 5 year period specified above. Furthermore, the applicant may request that they be collected if, at the time when the application is lodged, it cannot be immediately confirmed that the fingerprints were collected within this 5 years period.

• add remove What is attestation d’accueil?

  If you are being invited by your family/friend staying in France, then an “attestation d’accueil” has to be sent by your host in France. This form is available at the local town hall. It is a compulsory requirement for people applying for a France Visa to visit family or friends if they are staying with this person at their home in France. The validity of the France Visa you may be granted will not exceed the dates stated on this certificate. Therefore it is advisable that the form be kept handy while traveling.

• add remove Do I need to have purchase travel insurance?

  Yes. Applicants should prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Schengen Member States. The insurance should be valid throughout the territory of the Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage must be EUR 30000.

• add remove What are the Schengen Visa travel insurance requirements?

  Your travel Insurance plan for a Schengen Visa must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros (approx. USD $34,000)
  • Coverage for repatriation for medical reasons
  • Coverage for emergency medical treatment
  • Coverage for expenses resulting from your death
  • Coverage for the entire period of your intended stay
  • Valid in all Schengen Area countries
• add remove Can you process the Travel Insurance for me?

  Even though Travel Insurance is a mandatory requirement for processing Schengen Visa, you are strongly advised to purchase a health / travel insurance to cover yourself in France as medical treatment can be very expensive in France. We can certainly assist you with the travel insurance as it’s an absolute necessity for International travel in the event of unexpected events such as medical emergencies, baggage delay or loss etc.

• add remove What is the easiest way to apply for a France Visa?

  The easiest way to apply for a France Visa is to contact us. We are experts in the travel and tourism sector with over 40 years of exp erience. Through our expertise, in-depth knowledge and integrity, we commit to delivering an exceptional experience to our customers each and every time you use our service. In order to help us understand your unique visa needs, please drop in your query and our Expert will get in touch with you.

• add remove Are you still having doubts about the France Visa process?

  We have you covered across India with presence in all the major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow and many more.

• add remove What is the France visa fees for Indian citizens?

  France Visa Fees for Indian Citizens

  Type of France Visa	France Visa Fees
  Tourist Visa (Short term)	₹ 7,199
  Business Visa (Short term)	₹ 7,199

Visa Services - Terms & Conditions

1. Visa application fees along with the service charge are non-refundable in all cases. Even in case of visa application rejection the entire amount is non-refundable.
2. Visa application approval/rejection and processing time is at the sole discretion of the immigration and we do not have any control over the same.
3. Visa applications may require more than usual working days for processing and it is completely dependent on the immigration.
4. Immigration/Akbartravels.com may ask for additional documents on a case to case basis.
5. Prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.
6. Visa applications processing will only be after the verification of all required documents and receipt of complete payment.
7. Visas issued under visit/business/transit/tourist profession are not eligible to work in the destination country.
8. Akbartravels.com reserves the right to refuse applications at its discretion and bears no liability for the processing time or rejection of visa applications by the immigration.
9. Traveller or the customer has to fully bear the penalty amount in case the destination country levy any charges.
10. Additional charges such as documents courier, photograph development, attestation etc has to be borne by the applicant.