A Complete Guide for applying France Tourist Visa for Indians

Many Indians would consider a tour of France as dream tour because of the scenic beauty of the country, the cultural and historical values and the overall atmosphere. The beauty of France is that the country can offer a large number of attractions that will astound a tourist. However, it is high time no one is prepared to pack his/her suitcase and travel to the Eiffel Tower without passing through the visa procedures. Each individual might have a notion that getting France tourist visa for Indians is such a cumbersome process; but then if equipped with the right information, you can go for the trip without many complications.

The France visit visa from India offers the travellers an opportunity to not only enjoy the romantic aspects of the French country but also other countries that are in the Schengen area. Whether it is going to savour such French foods or visiting sites like Louvre Museum or even take a train tour of the country side of France, this visa is the first step towards the wonderful journey. It will be helpful to familiarize with different requirements and processes in order to exclude possible problems at the moment of application.

So that you get all the correct and relevant information on how to apply for a France tourist visa for Indians, everything has been included in this comprehensive guide. This article will let you familiarize with all the details of the visa applying beginning with the definition of the types of visas and ending with the list of documents required for application. Okay here it is and you are one step closer to finding out more about what makes France so special.

Types of France Visas

 1. Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C)

The Schengen visa for a short stay is the most popular visa for tourists, businessmen and visitors who have personal matters in France. This visa allows you to work, study or reside in France and the other Schengen countries for as many as ninety days within one hundred and eighty days. This class includes France tourist visa for Indians as an application of a citizen of India. It is ideal for those who would like to learn more about France and its traditions, to try French food or just to have the best vacations.

2. Long-Stay Visa (Type D)

If you want to stay in France for more than three months you will have to apply for the long stay visa. This is an over visa for those who wish to come and study, work or join family members in France. The long-stay visa is not homogenous and can be classified as the student’s visa, the working visa and the family reunion visa. It also needs to be mentioned that the kind of visa may also differ depending on the purpose of visit, as the Short-Stay Visa and the procedures that are connected with it may also be different.

 3. Transit Visa (Type A)

If you are thinking of visiting France but will not be there for quite a while you might require a transit visa. This visa is aimed at those people who have to have a transit through the territory of France and have to wait for the flight. It allows you to stay in the area of the airport’s transit zone, but it does not allow you into the Schengen area. For those who have short connecting time or those who do not leave the airport this visa is sufficient.

4. Visa for Family Members of EU/EEA Nationals

You may also be given special visa to live in France with your EU/ EEA family member if you are a dependant of the family member. This visa allowed spouses, children and dependents to get a visa to live in France as a family.

Steps to Apply for France Tourist Visa

1. Determine the Visa Type

To be more specific, to prevent a mistake when starting to fill in the forms, one must ensure that they are applying for the right type of visa. In case you are planning to visit for tourism purposes you will need the short stay Schengen visa (Type C). This visa enables you to live in France and move within the Schengen area for ninety days out of one hundred and eighty.

2. Schedule an Appointment

The next thing that you need to do after having all your documents is to make an appointment with the nearest French consulate or visa application center. You should always try to book your appointment in advance, because the time can be booked quickly, especially during the period of high season in tourism.

3. Submit Your Application

When on a fix appointment try and be earlier than the scheduled time and also make sure that you have all your papers with you. During the course of your appointment, you would fill the application and the consular officer might ask about your intended travelling. It is recommended that the most accurate answer to the questions should be given as much as possible. You will also be expected to bring along the fee for visa processing, this fee is not refundable.

4. Biometric Appointment (if has been scheduled)

When applying for passport for the first time, applicant who is above 12 years of age may be required to take fingerprints and photograph. If you have not given your biometrics in the past 59 months then you will be scheduled for a biometrics interview and this is often done at the same time as the visa interview.

5. Wait for Processing

After applying for your visa, your application will take between 15 and 30 days to be approved and ready for collection. During the processing of this application, the consulate may request other supporting documents or call the applicant for an interview. Ensure that you have provided all the necessary information so that there will be no unnecessary time consumption.

6. Collect Your Visa

In case your application has been accepted you will be advised to come and collect your passport. Take a look at your visa to ensure you have all your details right from your name, passport number to the date of travel. If all is well, it is time to get on the road to France!

Tips for a Successful Visa Application

1. Start Early

It is recommended to start your application one month prior to your travel date in case there are some difficulties. The time it takes to get a visa may differ and applying early means you do not have to scramble to gather all the required papers. Furthermore, in case there are some difficulties with the application or in case of additional documents’ demand, people with more time have no stress and can easily solve all the problems.

2. Be Honest

Make sure all the information that you give in your application is as real as possible. Lying or providing false information intentionally or by omission is also disastrous since it attracts visa refusal and may impact other applications. Consular officers are very much aware of such manipulations, and if there is any way you deviate from the truth, then you are likely to be in trouble. Telling the truth is always better since you stand a higher chance of getting the approval you want.

3. Financial Stability

Proving the financial capability is very important when it comes to visa application. Consulates are interested in knowing that you have enough cash for your upkeep during your stay. Ensure that your bank statements are clear and well-presented detailing income and balances in the account. It is also possible to attach more documents to the application, which prove a subject’s assets, for example, property or investments, this will also strengthen an applicant and convince the authorities of the stability of his financial status.

4. Follow Up

If you have not received any response at the expected time do not wait to call the consulate to follow up on your application. This may sometimes result to longer processing times than expected, hence a follow up with a polite message to explain your circumstances is appropriate. Being proactive is always good enough to show how interested you are in your trip and also to show how much you are willing to abide by the visa rules.

Conclusion:

Therefore, one can say that getting a France tourist visa for Indians is relatively simple if one shares some information about the process. Hearing it in terms of the various categories of visa means comprehending the process through which one is supposed to go through in order to get the visa without prose as explained in this guide. Fill all the documents that you may require and submit your application before the stated time and give all the right information.

Last but not the least, it is not merely a piece of paper named France Visit Visa from India, but the key to the beautiful scenes, abundant culture and splendid architectures of France. If you yearned for a walk along the Seine River, for a piece of French food or just a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, the only way left open to you is to get your France visa Bon voyage.

Read More

• The Best Hidden Gems of Provence in France
• The surprising things you need to know about France
• The budget-friendly things to do in France
• The fantastic Activities and Things to do in France with Kids
• The ten most beautiful islands in France to visit