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France Tourist Visa Checklist

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France Tourist Visa Document Checklist from India 2026 (Schengen Short-Stay)

Every document you need for a France tourist visa from India: application form, passport rules, €30,000 travel insurance, bank statements, employer letter, cover letter and ICAO photo specs.

Last verified: 25 October 2026 · Source: France-Visas

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Processing time: Usually within 15 calendar days of your appointment; can extend up to 45 days
Visa fee: €90 adults / €45 children aged 6–12 / free under 6 (paid in INR), plus VFS Global service charge
Validity: Up to 90 days within any 180-day period, across the Schengen Area
Photo: 35 x 45 mm

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France tourist visa from India: the essentials Passport requirements How to apply from India Photo requirements

Document checklist

Tick documents off as you prepare them. Your progress is saved on this device.

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1. Application

The core documents every applicant brings to the VFS Global appointment in India.

France-Visas application form and registration receiptFill in the form on france-visas.gouv.fr, print it, and sign it. Bring the receipt with the barcode that the portal generates.
Visa appointment confirmation letterThe appointment letter from VFS Global. You will not be let into the visa centre without it.
Valid original passportIssued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area, with at least 2 blank pages and in good condition.Tip: Damaged passports (torn pages, water damage, loose binding) are a common reason for being turned away at the counter.
Photocopies of passport bio-data page and previous visasCopies of the passport's photo page and of any Schengen, US, UK or other visas you have held.
Two recent passport photographs35 x 45 mm, colour, plain light background, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months, meeting ICAO requirements.
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2. Travel arrangements

Show where you are going, where you will stay and that you are covered for medical costs.

Round-trip flight reservation or itineraryA reservation is enough. You don't need to buy a non-refundable ticket before the visa is approved.
Proof of accommodation for the entire stayHotel bookings covering every night, or an invitation and address proof from the person hosting you.Tip: Check that the hotel dates match the flight dates exactly. A gap of even one night raises questions.
Day-by-day travel itineraryOptionalA short plan listing which city you will be in on each day. France should be your main destination, or your first point of entry if no country is main.
Schengen travel medical insurance (minimum €30,000)Must cover the whole Schengen Area for the full length of your trip, including emergency medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

3. Financial documents

Prove you can pay for the trip and support yourself while in France.

Personal bank statements (last 3–6 months)Stamped or signed by the bank, showing regular income and enough balance to cover the trip.Tip: Large unexplained deposits just before applying are a common red flag. Add a short note explaining any you have.
Recent salary slips (if employed)OptionalUsually the last 3 months.
Income Tax Returns (ITR) or Form 16OptionalRecent ITR acknowledgements or Form 16, if you file taxes in India.
Proof of other income, savings or assetsOptionalFixed deposits, property documents or investment statements, where they strengthen your case.

4. Employment and ties to India

Show that you have a reason to come back. Bring the documents that match your situation.

Employer letter and approved leave (if employed)OptionalOn company letterhead: your role, salary, joining date, approved leave dates, and confirmation that you will return to your job.
Business registration and financial records (if self-employed)OptionalCompany registration or GST certificate, plus recent business bank statements or ITRs.
Student ID and leave letter (if a student)OptionalA valid student ID and a letter from your institution approving the leave.
Other evidence of ties to IndiaOptionalProperty ownership, family responsibilities or ongoing commitments that show you will return.

5. Supporting documents

These make your file easier to assess, and some apply only in specific cases.

Cover letterOptionalOne page explaining the purpose of the trip, travel dates, cities you will visit and who is paying.
Previous passports and travel historyOptionalCopies of old passports with earlier visas and travel stamps, if you have them.
Sponsor letter and sponsor's financial documentsOptionalOnly if someone else is paying: a signed sponsor letter, the sponsor's bank statements and ID, and proof of your relationship.
Originals and photocopies in checklist orderArrange everything in the order shown on the official VFS France checklist for India. A clean file makes submission quicker.

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France tourist visa from India: the essentials

A France tourist visa is a short-stay Schengen visa (type C). It lets you stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period and travel across all Schengen countries. Apply through France if France is your main destination, or your first entry point when no single country is the main one.

The exact documents depend on your purpose of travel, your job and who is paying. Use the interactive checklist above, then compare it against the official checklist for your category on France-Visas.

Passport requirements

Your passport must:

Have been issued within the last 10 years
Be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from the Schengen Area
Have at least 2 blank pages
Be in good condition

How to apply from India

Fill in the form on France-Visas and print the signed form and receipt.
Book an appointment with VFS Global India.
Attend the appointment with your appointment letter, documents and fees. Fingerprints and a photo are taken there.
Track your application and collect your passport from VFS once a decision is made.

Photo requirements

France follows the ICAO standard: 35 x 45 mm, colour, plain light background, face 32–36 mm from chin to crown, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months.

Need a compliant photo? Use our France visa photo tool to crop to 35 x 45 mm and clean up the background.

Official sources: france-visas.gouv.fr and VFS Global France – India. Requirements can change, so check both before your appointment.

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Frequently asked questions

The Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 12, and free for children under 6. It is paid in Indian rupees at the current exchange rate at the VFS Global centre, along with a separate VFS service charge. Check the exact rupee amount on the VFS France India site before your appointment.

Most decisions are made within 15 calendar days of your appointment. In some cases, such as when extra checks are needed, it can take up to 45 days. You can apply up to 6 months before travel, and should apply at least 15 days before.

Most applicants submit the last 3 to 6 months of bank statements. Follow the official VFS France checklist for India, which may vary by category, and make sure the balance comfortably covers your trip.

Your passport must have been issued within the last 10 years, be valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area, have at least 2 blank pages, and be in good condition.

35 x 45 mm in colour, on a plain light background, with your face taking up 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown. The photo must be recent (within the last 6 months), with a neutral expression and eyes clearly visible.

Yes. You need travel medical insurance valid across the whole Schengen Area for your full stay, with at least €30,000 of cover for emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation.

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