If you are in Delhi planning to travel to France, a renowned Schengen country, you will need a visa. A visa is a basic travel document that you must have to enter, stay, and leave the target country.
Therefore, the application process can be tedious, especially if you are traveling for the first time. However, do not worry; the following article will highlight the essential information related to the France visa from Delhi, including the visa types, embassy requirements, and application process.
Fun Facts About France
- Officially known as the French Republic, the country is in Western Europe.
- Besides, it is bordered by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Andorra, and Spain.
- Its city, Grasse, is considered the capital of perfume in the world.
- Furthermore, France has over 400 types of cheese, such as Brie, Roquefort, and Camembert.
- On the world chart, 17% of the global wine production is done by France. Thus, making it the world’s biggest wine producer.
- Paris, the Capital of Fashion, holds Fashion Week twice a year.
- Moreover, if you get a chance to travel to France, participate in the Tour de France, which is the most famous cycling event in the world.
- Lastly, the Eiffel Tower was intended to be in Barcelona but was rejected and built in Paris in 1889.
French Embassy in New Delhi
You can submit your application to the French Embassy in New Delhi, India. Other than that, the same embassy has extended its visa section for Afghan nationals. This means that the Afghanis can apply for a French visa (either for family reunification or other purposes) through the Embassy in New Delhi.
Moreover, the applications submitted to the embassy may also be examined by the following consulates. Therefore, the French embassy and these consulates are authorized to make decisions about the visas.
- French consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Puducherry, Kolkata, and Bangalore.
Embassy details
Address: 2/50-E Shantipath Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Contact no: 91 (11) 4319 6100 / 91 (11) 4319 6250
Email: webmaster
Jurisdiction
The French embassy covers several states and territories of India including the ones listed below.
North Indian states
Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand
Other Indian states
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujrat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, and West Bengal
Union territories
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman, Dia, Lakshadweep, and Pondicherry
Which French Visa Types Can Delhi Residents Apply For?
Delhi residents can choose from several visa categories when traveling to France from India. They have the following major visa types.
Based on the duration
The first visa category depends on the duration of your stay in France.
| Short-stay | As a Delhi resident, you can stay in France for almost 90 days with a Type C visa. It is used for short-term stays, alternatively known as a Schengen visa. It is valid for up to 180 days. |
| Long-stay | On the other hand, if you want to stay for more than three months in France, you need to have a Type D or National visa. Besides, it is valid for 1 year and can be renewable. |
Based on the purpose
The major categories mentioned above can be further subdivided into the following considering the reason for visiting France.
| Tourist visa | Traveling to France for tourism, sightseeing, and vacation purposes can be fulfilled after applying for a tourist visa. |
| Business visa | Moreover, Indians can also visit France to attend business meetings, conferences, and trade affairs for a short period after getting a business visa. |
| Study visa | A student visa allows you to participate in a training or course program either for a short or long-term stay in any of the French educational institutes. |
| Work visa | Employees from Delhi and India can find and start a job after getting a work visa, work permit, and residence permit. |
| Transit visa | Transiting through France while traveling to another country will be possible if you have an airport transit or a Type A visa. |
Based on the number of entries
Your visa on the passport also shows the number of entries you are allowed to make for the specific visa type you choose to travel to France.
| Single-entry | This implies that you can enter France only once within the validity of the visa. |
| Double-entry | Long-term visas allow you to travel to the country twice. |
| Multiple-entry | Multiple entry visas are suitable for businessmen and entrepreneurs visiting France frequently. |
Visa Application Process At the Embassy of France in New Delhi
The ultimate step-by-step guide below will help you start the visa application process at the Embassy of France in New Delhi, India.
Step 1: Visit the website
Firstly, visit the website of the Embassy of France in New Delhi, India. You can explore the homepage to learn about the essential information. For instance, go to the ‘get a visa’ section to read the process to apply for a French visa in India.
Step 2: Complete the application form online
After that, visit the official website for a visa application to France to complete the form online and submit your documents.
Click on ‘start your visa application’ to fill out the application form after creating an account or logging in to the existing one. After completing the form, print it, and keep it with the rest of the documents. Make sure to not submit your applications earlier than three months before your departure.
Step 3: Gather the visa documents
This is the most important step of the entire application process. So, make sure that you amass the following visa-supporting documents to travel to France.
Passport
Your Indian passport with a validity of at least 90 days after you exit France should be submitted. Moreover, it should have two blank pages and fulfill Schengen passport guidelines.
Pictures
Furthermore, you need to submit two passport-size pictures that are not older than the last three months, have a dimension of 35*40mm, light color background, HD quality, etc.
Flight reservation
Submitting a flight reservation document for a trip to France is essential. This is because it discloses your flight details including PNR codes, departure and arrival dates, flight routes, IATA codes, etc.
Accommodation for visa application
If you have arranged for a place to stay in France, you need to submit the proof as well. This can be in the form of a hotel, rental contract, or an invitation letter from the host.
Cover letter
A cover letter for a visa helps you summarize the reason for traveling to France. However, avoid adding any additional details in this document that do not align with the rest of the documents. You can get this from coverletterforvisa.com at a minimal price.
Travel health insurance
Delhi residents should make themselves medically covered for their entire stay in France by purchasing a travel health insurance policy. It must have an amount of 30,000 euros to bear repatriation, hospital, surgery expenses, etc.
Means of subsistence
Lastly, you need to show that you can manage your food, transportation, and accommodation during your entire stay in France. For this purpose, you can submit your bank statement, salary slip, or income tax return, or have 120 euros for daily use.
Step 4: Book an appointment
Furthermore, you will need to schedule an appointment with the embassy or visa center officials. This is mandatory as you have to provide biometric data such as your fingerprints and retina scans that will be stored in the VIS for 5 years. Once done, you will receive a confirmation email.
Step 5: Submit your application
Once all the above steps are completed, bring your documents along with the application form to the embassy or VFS Global application center. Moreover, you also need to deposit the visa fee in the methods available for the payment.
Step 6: Attend the interview
This is the last step of the process, i.e., attending the interview. For this purpose, make sure to reach the embassy or the consulate at least 30 minutes before the given time, or otherwise, the officials will cancel your interview appointment.
Step 7: Collect your passport
Then, wait for the processing time. Meanwhile, you can also track the status of your application from the same website. Once the embassy makes a decision, they will notify you via email and you can collect your passport if approved.
Fee for a France Visa from Delhi
Delhi residents need to deposit a specific amount for the processing of the application. However, this depends on your visa type and age group.
| Visa category | Fee in Euro |
| Short-stay /Type C visa | 90 euro or 7,950 INR |
| Type D /long-stay visa | 120 euros or 10,600 INR |
| Transit /Type A visa | 90 euro or 7,950 INR |
Who is exempted from paying the fee?
- Minors below six.
- Researchers, scientists, and pupils traveling to France for study purposes are exempted from paying the fee.
- Moreover, citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can also visit France without a visa for up to 90 days. In case of a longer stay, they also need a visa.
Processing Time for a France Visa from Delhi
Look at the following table to learn how long it takes for the embassy to process your France visa from Delhi.
| Standard processing time | Usually, the application for a France visa from Delhi takes 15 to 30 days to process in normal circumstances. However, in extreme situations, the period gets extended to up to 45 days or two months. |
| Factors to consider | Several factors play a vital role in the processing of the France visa application from Delhi. For instance, The workload on the embassy Visa type The completion of the documents Application backlog |
| When to apply? | Typically, you are advised to start your application process at least twelve weeks or three months before the intended departure date. Moreover, avoid planning a trip in April through July due to the peak season. This will help you have a smooth journey to France. |
Common Rejection Reasons for France Visa from Delhi
The following possible reasons may lead to the rejection of your visa for France from Delhi.
- An incomplete application form (missing date, signature, or other essential information)
- If you have submitted an invalid or expired passport (travel document not meeting the Schengen passport requirements)
- Providing inadequate proof of financial means (bank statement, salary slip, sponsorship letter)
- Lack of travel and medical insurance (invalid or having insufficient coverage amount)
- Absence of required documents (flight itinerary, accommodation plans, etc)
- Documents showing inadequate proof of ties to the home country (missing proof of employment, education documents, family registration certificate, or social status)
- Having a criminal record (security or terrorism threat to the public and national interest)
- If your travel history is poor (previous visa refusals, track record showing overstaying of the visa, etc)
Final Thoughts
Planning a trip to France comes with several things to handle simultaneously, thus, making the process tiring for some applicants. However, with the right guide and ease of mind, you can successfully submit your application for a France visa from Delhi.
The article above can help you identify the basic requirements you need to fulfill to achieve your goal.
FAQs
- Can I submit my French application to a third party in Delhi?
Yes. Delhi residents have two options when submitting their French visa applications. The first one is the Embassy of France in Delhi. On the other hand, an authorized visa application center, VFS Global, can also receive and process your application on behalf of the embassy.
- What methods are available to pay the French visa application fee?
When you visit the embassy/consulate or VFS Global to deposit the application fee, ensure you are aware of the available methods. For instance, you can pay the fee through a debit card, credit card, or cash.
- Is it possible to track my application from Delhi?
Yes, you can track the status of your application from Delhi either by calling the embassy or consulate’s officials directly or visiting the website of VFS Global.
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