Documents, in the order you should collect them.
0 of 0 collected
A · Forms and identity
Fill it online at the official France-Visas portal, which also generates your receipt with barcode. Carry both. The portal's own wizard confirms your exact personal list.
Issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your date of exit from Schengen, with 2 blank pages. Carry old passports too if you have them.
White background, taken within the last 6 months, face covering about 70 to 80 percent of the frame, neutral expression, no glare on glasses.
B · Travel proof
A reservation is enough; a paid ticket is not required. If you prefer not to buy before approval, use refundable fares or an airline hold option. Never submit a fabricated booking; PNRs get verified.
Hotel confirmations or a host invitation. Dates must match your flights and itinerary exactly; mismatches are a common refusal trigger.
Cities, dates and stays on one page, consistent with your bookings. Our itinerary builder, in the build queue, will format this from your real plan.
Must cover medical emergencies, hospitalisation and repatriation, be valid in all Schengen states, and span your full stay. All three conditions, not just the amount. The 30k rule explained.
C · Money and work
Bank-stamped or e-statements with visible name and account number. Consulates read consistency against your trip cost; a large unexplained deposit last week hurts more than it helps.
Most recent 1 to 2 assessment years.
Last 3 salary slips plus an employer letter confirming your role and approved leave dates.
Registration or GST certificate plus company bank statements for the last 3 months.
Sponsor letter, sponsor's bank statements and ID, plus proof of your relationship. The sponsor's funds then face the same consistency reading as yours would.
D · Purpose
One page: who you are, when and where you travel, who pays, and your reasons to return to India. The document files most often get wrong; our generator is in the build queue.
What you pay, in rupees.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visa fee, adult (12+) | €90 ≈ ₹8,000 to 9,400 | Paid in INR at the consular exchange rate, which moves. Confirm the day's figure at S3. |
| Visa fee, child 6 to 11 | €45 | Under 6: no visa fee. |
| VFS service fee | ~₹2,000 to 2,200 | Revised upward in Nov 2025; exact current figure at S2. |
| Optional services | varies | Courier return, SMS alerts, premium lounge, doorstep service. All skippable. |
All fees are non-refundable, including on refusal. Getting the file right the first time is the only discount available.
Five steps, in order.
- Fill the form on France-VisasCreate your account on the official portal S1, complete the application, download the form and barcode receipt.
- Book your VFS appointmentOn the VFS France India site S2. For April to August travel, book 6 to 8 weeks ahead; metro centres fill fastest.
- Build this fileCollect every ticked item above. Print everything; carry originals and one photocopy set.
- Attend the appointmentBiometrics (fingerprints, valid 59 months across Schengen), document submission, fee payment.
- Track and collectTrack on the VFS portal. Standard processing is 15 calendar days and can extend to 45 in peak season or on further checks.
The refusal triggers we see most.
Verify everything here yourself.
- S1, France-Visas, official portal of the French government: france-visas.gouv.fr/en. Its visa wizard generates the official personalised document list; this page mirrors the standard tourist case for Indian residents.
- S2, VFS Global, France in India: visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/fra. Service fees, centre list, appointment booking, photo specs.
- S3, France-Visas fees page: reachable from S1 under "Fees". Consular exchange rate and current rupee amounts.
Last verified: NOT YET. A human checks every item against these sources before this page carries the verified stamp. Spotted something outdated at your appointment? Email us: contact coming soon.
France-specific quick answers.
Do I need a confirmed, paid flight ticket?
No. A reservation covering your round trip is required, not a purchased ticket. Refundable fares and airline hold options are the safe middle path. Never submit a fabricated booking; consulates verify PNRs and a fake one can end more than this application.
How early should I book the VFS slot?
6 to 8 weeks before your intended application date for April to August travel. Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru fill fastest; smaller centres often have earlier availability.
I gave fingerprints for a Schengen visa recently. Again?
Biometrics are valid for 59 months. Within that window they can usually be reused, though the consulate keeps the right to call you in.
Can I apply from any city in India?
France accepts applications through VFS centres across India. Centre rules can change, so confirm yours on S2 before booking, and weigh travel cost against earlier slots in smaller cities.