Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Tourism Verified 2026-06-09France Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to France for tourism, sightseeing and leisure — up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Apply online via France-Visas, biometrics at VFS.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the France visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
France VFS slots change daily. Call us for today's earliest available tourist-visa appointment.
Processing
15 calendar days standard (can extend to 30–45 days where additional scrutiny or consular consultation is required)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen-wide)
Starting Fee
≈ ₹8,300
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Where do you stand?
Tell us your situation
Pick what fits — no long forms, just a quick WhatsApp or a call.
Why files get refused
Most France visitor visa refusals come down to a few fixable things
Refusals are common now, and the government fee is non-refundable. The good news: almost every reason below is something we can strengthen before you submit.
Insufficient or unexplained funds — bank balance does not match the declared trip cost
Weak ties to India — no clear evidence of return intent (job, business, property, family)
Travel medical insurance below €30,000, not Schengen-wide, or not covering the full trip
France marked as main destination but more nights booked in another Schengen country (wrong consulate)
Inconsistent or unrealistic itinerary vs accommodation and flight bookings
Incomplete France-Visas form, missing signed receipt, or missing supporting documents
What we actually do
We build a stronger file — you don't guess
Check your profile before filing
We tell you honestly if the case is ready — before you spend the government fee.
Review funds & ITR alignment
Bank statement, income and tax records presented the way officers expect.
Structure purpose & cover letter
A clear travel story that answers the officer's real questions.
Show strong ties to India
Job, business, property and family framed as genuine reasons to return.
Sponsor & invitation papers
If family is inviting you, we line their documents up with your profile — a common silent refusal trigger.
Guide the full submission
Online portal or VFS appointment, biometrics and passport steps — supported until the decision.
Refused before?
We rebuild refused France cases the right way.
Reapplying with the same file usually earns the same answer. We find the real reason first, then rebuild — no guarantees, just a properly prepared reapplication.
Before you reapply, we check:
- What your refusal letter actually says — and what it doesn't.
- Whether the officer's GCMS notes are worth pulling for the real reason.
- Which documents were weak: funds, employment, purpose, or ties.
- Whether reapplying now — or strengthening first — is the smarter move.
Same flat fee whether it's your first application or a reapplication. Read the refusal guide
Your whole France Tourist Visa,
handled for one honest price.
A strong France file clearly explains your travel purpose, funds, and ties to India. We structure and submit everything properly — so your case is presented clearly and professionally.
All-in · 18% GST included · no hidden charges
File-ready in 3–5 working days after documents
4.9★ · 90+ reviews · reply in 5 min
Everything below — included, nothing extra
- Document checklist
- Application form guidance
- Document review
- Cover letter
- Purpose of travel structure
- Financial proof review
- Sponsor document guidance
- Submission & appointment support
- Post-submission guidance
Not sure you qualify? Start with a refundable ₹499 possibility report — an honest Yes / Maybe / No, credited to this fee. Read the full guide
Price is for our consultancy service only and includes 18% GST. No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision rests with the visa authority.
Your fee, justified
₹12,999 fee — what exactly is included?
Our professional fee isn't just form-filling. It covers complete France visitor visa preparation, document & refusal-risk review, financial-proof structuring, submission support and post-filing guidance. Tap any item to see what's inside.
Before we prepare your France visitor visa file, we understand your complete profile — every applicant is different, so no two files are built the same way.
- Purpose of travel
- Employment or business background
- Monthly income & savings
- Funds available for the trip
- Family ties in India
- Property / assets, if any
- Previous travel history
- Relatives, friends or a sponsor in France, if any
- Previous visa refusals, if any
- Planned trip duration
- Who is paying for the trip
- Whether the trip is realistic for your profile
A visitor visa isn't approved just because documents are attached — the purpose, funds, travel plan and return ties all have to support each other.
We don't hand everyone the same checklist. After understanding your profile, we build one for your exact case type:
- Salaried
- Business owner
- Self-employed
- Farmer / agriculture income
- Student or minor
- Retired parent
- Housewife / dependent
- Family visit
- Tourist visit
- Business visitor
- Previous refusal
- Sponsor-supported
- First-time traveller
This avoids missing key documents — and avoids piling on documents that aren't explained properly.
We review your documents before preparing and submitting, checking they're complete, readable, consistent and well-arranged:
- Passport & photographs
- Bank statements
- Salary slips
- ITR / Form 16
- Employment & leave-approval letters
- Business / GST / registration proof
- Income proof
- Property documents, if any
- Family & marriage documents, if applicable
- Invitation & sponsor documents, if applicable
- Previous refusal letter, if any
- Travel history, itinerary & stay proof
Funds are one of the most common refusal triggers. A high balance alone isn't enough if the money doesn't look genuine, stable, and tied to your income. We check:
- Whether the balance is reasonable for the trip
- Average balance vs trip cost
- Sudden large deposits that need explaining
- Salary / business income vs bank statement
- ITR vs income profile
- Whether you can afford the trip without leaning entirely on a sponsor
- Whether sponsor support is properly explained
- Whether funds look genuine and traceable
We help structure the financial side professionally so it reads as genuine, not borrowed for the application.
We help present a clear, realistic purpose — tourism, a holiday, a family/relative visit, an event, a business meeting, or parents visiting children — and make sure it lines up with your dates, funds, itinerary and documents.
A weak or vague purpose makes a file look doubtful. We keep it clear, simple and professional.
We prepare or structure the main explanation letter — a professional summary that makes your case easy for the officer to understand. It covers:
- Who you are and why you want to visit
- How long you'll stay and where
- Who is paying for the trip
- What you do in India
- Which financial documents are attached
- Your family ties in India
- Why you'll return after the visit
- If previously refused — what has changed since
This is not a guarantee letter — it's a clear, professional explanation of your case.
The officer must be satisfied you'll leave France after your authorized stay. We identify and present your reasons to return:
- Job continuity or business ownership
- Regular income source
- Spouse / children / parents in India
- Dependents and family responsibilities
- Property or assets in India
- Education or business commitments
- Previous travel compliance, if any
If someone in France is inviting you, we guide the sponsor-side documents:
- Invitation letter
- Sponsor status proof (passport / PR / citizenship)
- Sponsor employment & income proof
- Sponsor bank statement, if needed
- Relationship & communication proof
- Who bears expenses & stay arrangement
A sponsor supports the case but never guarantees approval — your own purpose, funds and ties must still be strong. We also flag if a file is leaning too heavily on the sponsor.
We guide or assist with the application form and details (online portal or the VFS/embassy form, depending on France), and check consistency between the form and your documents:
- Personal, passport & travel-history details
- Employment & education history
- Family information
- Purpose of visit & funding details
- Sponsor information, if applicable
- Previous-refusal declarations
- Background questions
- Correct document categories
Wrong, incomplete or inconsistent information can hurt this application — and future ones too.
How a file is lodged depends on the country — some are fully online, while others (most Schengen states) need you to complete the form first, then book a VFS appointment and submit a physical file in person. We guide the exact France process:
- Completing the application form first, where required, to unlock the appointment
- Booking the VFS / embassy appointment
- Arranging documents in the right order — for upload or the VFS counter
- Guiding the visa-fee payment
- Final review before submission or your VFS visit
- What to carry to the appointment (originals, photos, forms)
- Submitting / lodging and saving the confirmation
- What happens after submission
After submission, if biometrics are required, we guide you through:
- Biometrics Instruction Letter
- VFS appointment booking
- Documents to carry
- What to expect at the VFS centre
- How biometrics update in your application
- What to do once biometrics are done
Biometrics fee is separate, paid to the authority / VFS as applicable.
Our support doesn't stop at submission. We stay connected and guide you on:
- How to check application updates
- What official messages mean
- What to do if more documents are requested
- What to do after a Passport Request
- VFS passport submission & courier return
- Decision-update explanation
- Next steps after approval
- Basic guidance if refused
What's not included (paid direct, at actual cost)
- Government / embassy visa fee
- Biometrics fee
- VFS service charges
- VFS courier & SMS charges
- VFS premium-lounge charges
- Travel insurance
- Flight tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Translation charges
- Notary / attestation
- Medical exam, if ever required
- Any other third-party charges
No agency can guarantee a visa — the final decision is always the visa officer's. Our role is to prepare, review, structure and present your file professionally from the documents and profile you provide.
Good to know before you apply
Rules that apply to every France visa type — worth a quick read so nothing trips up your file.
- 1France is ONLINE-FIRST: complete the application on france-visas.gouv.fr first, then book the VFS appointment, then submit in person for biometrics.
- 2Passport must be issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area, and have at least 2 blank pages.
- 3Handwritten passports are not accepted.
- 4Applications can be submitted at the earliest 6 months before the intended date of travel.
- 5Travel medical insurance is MANDATORY — minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen states, covering the entire trip (including medical repatriation).
- 6Biometrics (fingerprints + digital photo) are captured in person at VFS and are valid for 59 months — if captured within that window for a previous Schengen visa, you may be exempt from giving them again.
- 7First-time applicants and children under 12 (no fingerprints) must still attend in person; under-12s do not provide fingerprints.
Who Can Apply
- Indian citizens travelling to France for tourism, sightseeing or leisure
- Multi-Schengen travellers where France is the main destination (most nights booked in France)
- Applicants with confirmed flight reservation, accommodation and sufficient funds
- Applicants who can demonstrate strong ties to India and clear return intent
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone intending to work in France (a tourist visa does NOT authorise paid employment)
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for a National (Type D) long-stay visa instead
- Business meetings / negotiations / client visits — apply for the Business Visa instead
- Visiting family or friends as the main purpose — apply for the Visit Visa (Family & Friends) instead
Previously refused?
Same feeWe rebuild refused France cases the right way.
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to France / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Schengen Short-Stay Visa fee — Adult | ≈ ₹8,300 |
| Schengen Short-Stay Visa fee — Child 6 to 12 years | ≈ ₹4,150 |
| Schengen Short-Stay Visa fee — Child under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS Global service charge | ≈ ₹2,100 |
The visa fee in INR is set by the French Consulate exchange rate and changes periodically — always confirm the live amount on france-visas.gouv.fr and the VFS Global France India page before paying. The visa fee and VFS service charge are payable per applicant. Visa fee, service charge and any value-added service fees are NON-REFUNDABLE regardless of the visa decision. Optional value-added services (courier, SMS, premium lounge, prime-time collection) do not affect the decision or turnaround time.
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Core Documents
6 items- France-Visas online application form (printed + signed)Required
Completed on france-visas.gouv.fr; print and sign the form and the France-Visas receipt/barcode page.
- Valid passportRequired
Issued within last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond return, at least 2 blank pages, not handwritten.
- Copy of passport bio-data and address pagesRequired
- Copies of all previous visas (Schengen / UK / US, etc.)
- Two recent biometric passport photosRequired
35×45mm, white background, ≤6 months old, meeting ICAO/Schengen photo specification.
- Cover letter from the applicantRequired
Stating purpose, travel dates, itinerary and who bears the costs.
Travel & Accommodation
4 items- Proof of intended means of transport and round-trip itineraryRequired
Confirmed flight reservation (return) — do NOT buy tickets before the visa is granted.
- Travel-agency booking / detailed day-by-day travel itineraryRequired
Tourism-specific: confirmed tour booking or a credible self-planned itinerary.
- Proof of accommodation for the entire stayRequired
Hotel reservations / holiday-home rental. Accommodation proof for EACH Schengen state if multi-country.
- Travel medical insuranceRequired
Minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen states, covering the entire trip including repatriation. Use an approved insurer.
Financial Means
7 items- Original personal bank statement of the last 3 monthsRequired
Stamped and signed by the bank.
- Income Tax Returns (ITR) / Form 16 for the last 2 yearsRequired
- If employed: salary slips (last 3 months) + employment contract + leave-sanction letter from employer
- If self-employed / company owner: company registration + GST registration certificate + ITR (2 years)
- If retired: pension statements / pension order + bank statements
- If sponsored: sponsorship letter + sponsor's bank statements + sponsor ID + proof of relationship
- If student: school/university enrolment certificate + NOC from the institution
Civil Status & Minors
4 items- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Birth certificate of children (if applicable)
- For minors: birth certificate + passport copies of both parents
- For minors travelling without one/both parents: notarised parental consent from the non-travelling parent(s) + passport copies
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
6 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Use the Visa Wizard
Run the France-Visas Visa Wizard (france-visas.gouv.fr) to confirm the visa type and generate your personalised document checklist.
- 02
Complete the online application
Create a France-Visas account and complete the online Schengen application. Print and sign the generated form and the France-Visas receipt (with barcode).
- 03
Gather your documents
Assemble all checklist items — passport, photos, insurance (€30,000), financial proof, accommodation and itinerary.
- 04
Book the VFS appointment
Book a biometrics appointment at your jurisdiction's VFS Global France VAC at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/fra.
- 05
Submit in person at VFS
Attend the VAC — give fingerprints + photo (biometrics), submit the physical file, pay the €90 visa fee + VFS service charge. Add optional services if needed.
- 06
Track and collect
Track on VFS. Standard decision is 15 calendar days (can extend in peak season). Collect the passport at VFS or by courier.
What works
5 levers that flip a borderline case.
- Use the France-Visas 'Visa Wizard' first — it confirms your exact visa type and generates the personalised document checklist for your purpose.
- Do NOT buy flight tickets before the visa is granted — submit confirmed reservations only.
- Carry the ORIGINAL bank statement of the last 3 months, stamped and signed by the bank, plus ITR/Form 16 for the last 2 years.
- Keep your France-Visas receipt (with barcode) printed — VFS will not accept the file without it.
What kills cases
Top 3 refusal triggers we see.
- 1Insufficient or unexplained funds — bank balance does not match the declared trip cost
- 2Weak ties to India — no clear evidence of return intent (job, business, property, family)
- 3Travel medical insurance below €30,000, not Schengen-wide, or not covering the full trip
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for France
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
France-Visas online application form (Schengen Type C)
Create an account, complete the online application, then print and sign the generated form + the France-Visas receipt. There is no separate downloadable paper form — the form is generated online.
France-Visas Visa Wizard (eligibility + document list)
Answer the wizard questions to get the exact visa type and the personalised document checklist for your purpose of travel.
VFS Global France (India) appointment booking
After completing France-Visas online, book the biometrics appointment at your jurisdiction's VFS France VAC.
VFS application centres
Schengen Tourist Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 quick questions to see your likelihood of approval. This is not a guarantee — final decision is always with the Embassy — but it flags common weak spots so you can address them before applying.
What's the primary purpose of your trip?
How long do you plan to stay?
Have you previously visited any Schengen country?
Have you ever been refused a Schengen (or any country's) visa?
Past refusals must be disclosed — they show up in VIS database across Schengen countries.
Do you have confirmed travel bookings?
Reservations are enough — don't buy tickets until visa approval.
What's your current employment status?
What's your typical 3-month bank balance?
Schengen needs ~₹700/day covered. For a 10-day trip, minimum ₹70,000 stable balance.
How many years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) can you show?
What are your strongest ties to India (return-intent)?
Embassies want evidence you'll come back — not overstay.
Who are you travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
Frequently asked
Questions, answered straight
Yes — a Schengen visa issued by France lets you travel across all 29 Schengen countries (Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, etc.) for the validity period and stay allowance printed on the sticker. France should be your MAIN destination (most nights).
Both. France is online-first: you complete the application on france-visas.gouv.fr, then book a VFS Global appointment to give biometrics and submit the physical file in person. The form itself is generated online — there is no separate paper application form.
The standard processing time is 15 calendar days from submission, but it can extend to 30–45 days where additional checks or consular consultation are needed (and in peak summer/holiday season). Apply at least 15 days before travel, and up to 6 months ahead.
There is no fixed figure, but your funds must credibly cover the whole trip (flights, accommodation, daily expenses). France references a daily means-of-subsistence amount; as a guide, show an original 3-month bank statement that comfortably matches your declared itinerary cost, backed by 2 years of ITR.
Yes — travel medical insurance is compulsory for every Schengen visa. It must provide a minimum of €30,000 cover, be valid across all Schengen states, and cover the entire duration of your trip including emergency medical repatriation.
Children under 12 do not give fingerprints but must still attend the VFS appointment in person for the photo. Children under 6 are exempt from the visa fee; children aged 6–12 pay the reduced €45 fee.
You will receive a written refusal with the grounds. You can reapply with stronger documentation addressing the specific reason, or appeal within the deadline stated. SureshotVisa's refusal-rebuild service specialises in decoding the real refusal reason and restructuring the case.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
Before you apply
Two ways to file your France visa.
One quietly burns your fee, your trip and your record. The other gets it right the first time.
Do it yourself
The risky route
- You guess which papers France actually wants — one missing or wrongly-framed document triggers a refusal.
- You copy a cover letter off YouTube or Google — often the exact template embassies already flag as weak.
- You apply during a known peak-rejection window without realising it.
- Embassy & VFS fees are non-refundable — refused means your money, flights and leave are gone.
- One refusal stamp follows you for life — every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
The gamble
One mistake = fee, flights & record gone
With SureshotVisa
Professionally guided
- A licensed consultant checks your case honestly before you spend a rupee on embassy fees.
- We build your France file the way the embassy approves — documents, cover letter, financials.
- We catch the weak-ties, funding and intent issues behind most Indian refusals — and fix them first.
- We've rescued hundreds of files that were already refused once and got them approved.
- Govt of Punjab licensed (Licence 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024) · 1200+ approvals.
Typical result
1200+ approvals · refused files rescued
Why DIY goes wrong
How a self-filed application turns into a refusal.
- 1
You feel ready
A few YouTube videos make the process look simple.
- 2
You file it yourself
You submit a sensitive France visa file on your own.
- 3
One detail misreads
A small framing slip looks like weak ties or unclear intent.
- 4
Refusal
Now every future visa, anywhere, must declare it.
Once you've been refused, you learn the hard way how much the small details mattered. We'd rather you never collect that first stamp.
Trusted by travellers & families
We've helped many travellers & families get their France visa — the easy way.
From first-time France visa applicants to cases that were refused elsewhere, our licensed team has guided travellers & families through France's exact requirements — so the file is approved the first time, without the stress, guesswork or risk of a refusal.
Other France Visa Types
France Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals attending meetings, negotiations, conferences or contracts in France — up to 90 days. Apply online via France-Visas, biometrics at VFS.
View guideFrance Visit Visa (Family & Friends — Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends living in France — up to 90 days. Apply online via France-Visas, biometrics at VFS.
View guideFrance Student Visa (National Type D — Long Stay)
National (Type D) long-stay visa for Indian students enrolled in a French institution for a course longer than 90 days — decided by the French immigration authorities.
View guideFrance Work Visa / Permit (National Type D — Information Only)
Information only — France work visas / permits are National (Type D) long-stay categories. SureshotVisa does NOT process or provide France work visas or work permits.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global France website and Embassy of France. Last verified 2026-06-09. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.
Ready?
Want us to check your France visa case?
Share your travel purpose, employment/business profile, funds, and any previous refusal letter. We'll tell you honestly where your file stands.