French Embassy in New Delhi

Indian citizens and residents require a Schengen visa to enter France for tourism, business, family visits, cultural events, conferences, or short-term purposes up to 90 days within any 180-day period. France, as a Schengen Area member, issues Schengen visas valid for travel throughout the 27 Schengen countries. Visa applications are processed through VFS Global, France's authorized visa service provider in India, with centers in major cities. Appointments must be scheduled online through VFS Global website. Schengen visa applicants must submit valid passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond intended departure from Schengen Area, issued within last 10 years with at least two blank pages), completed Schengen visa application form, recent passport-size photographs meeting Schengen specifications, travel itinerary including flight bookings and accommodation reservations, travel health insurance covering minimum EUR 30,000 valid throughout Schengen Area, proof of financial means (bank statements for previous 3-6 months, employment letters, income tax returns), and purpose-specific documents (business invitation letters, conference registration, proof of relationship for family visits). Processing times typically 10-15 calendar days though applicants should apply well in advance. For long-term stays exceeding 90 days (national visas for work, study, family reunification, residence), applicants must apply for French national visas. Employment visas require work authorization from French authorities (autorisation de travail), employment contract, and professional qualifications. Student visas require acceptance from French educational institution, proof of financial resources (minimum EUR 600-700 per month for living expenses), Campus France approval (Indian students must go through Campus France procedure for study visa applications), accommodation confirmation, and health insurance. France attracts Indian students for higher education in engineering (grandes écoles including École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec), business (HEC Paris, INSEAD, ESSEC), sciences, arts, and humanities. Family reunification visas require proof of family relationship, sponsor's legal residence in France, adequate accommodation, sufficient financial means, and sometimes French language proficiency. France offers various long-stay visas for professionals, researchers (scientific researcher visa), entrepreneurs (French Tech Visa for startup founders and employees), and other categories. Visa fees apply per Schengen regulations and French national visa fees. For detailed requirements and appointments, visit VFS Global France website or embassy website (in.ambafrance.org).

France and India maintain robust bilateral trade relations with France being one of India's important European partners. French exports to India include aircraft and aerospace products (Airbus aircraft, Dassault Rafale fighters, Safran engines, aerospace equipment and systems), defense equipment (France is India's second-largest defense supplier providing submarines, missiles, radars, defense electronics), nuclear reactors and fuel (Areva/Framatome EPR reactors for Jaitapur nuclear project, nuclear fuel for India's civil nuclear reactors), luxury goods (LVMH brands including Louis Vuitton, Dior, French luxury brands have strong presence in India's growing luxury market), wines and spirits (Champagne, Bordeaux wines, Cognac increasingly popular in premium segment), cosmetics and perfumes (L'Oréal, Lancôme brands), pharmaceuticals and medical devices, automobiles (Renault vehicles manufactured in India through partnership with Nissan), machinery and industrial equipment, chemicals and agrochemicals, and electronics. Indian exports to France include textiles and garments (France's fashion industry sources from India), leather goods and footwear, pharmaceuticals and generic medicines (India supplies affordable medicines to French market), organic chemicals and intermediates, automotive components (Indian suppliers to French automotive industry), IT services and software (French companies utilize Indian IT services), jewelry and diamonds (India's diamond cutting industry exports to France), tea, food products, and engineering goods. Services trade significant with French educational services (though smaller numbers of Indian students in France compared to English-speaking countries, quality French education attracts students), IT services from India to France, professional services, and tourism both ways. The embassy's economic section promotes bilateral trade through business matchmaking, commercial advocacy, market intelligence, and facilitating high-level economic dialogue. Business France (French trade promotion agency) supports French exporters. Key sectors of bilateral cooperation include aerospace and defense, nuclear energy, automotive and electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, luxury goods and retail, renewable energy, digital technology and AI, infrastructure, and agribusiness.

The embassy actively facilitates France-India business relations through its economic section coordinating with Business France, industry associations, chambers of commerce including Franco-Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and sector-specific organizations. French companies exploring Indian markets can contact embassy and Business France for market intelligence, business matchmaking, regulatory guidance, facilitation of trade missions and ministerial visits, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, networking events, and commercial advocacy. Key sectors for cooperation include aerospace and defense (Rafale partnership, submarine cooperation, co-development projects), nuclear energy (Jaitapur EPR project, nuclear fuel supply, R&D cooperation), automotive and mobility (Renault-Nissan operations, EV technology, battery solutions), renewable energy and climate technology (solar, offshore wind, green hydrogen, energy storage - French expertise and India's targets), space cooperation (ISRO-CNES partnership on satellite launches, climate monitoring, Gaganyaan human spaceflight with French support), digital technology and AI (collaboration on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing), pharmaceuticals and healthcare, luxury goods and retail, infrastructure and urban development (metros - Bangalore Metro, Mumbai Metro, Kochi Metro have French technology; smart cities, water management), and innovation and research. The embassy facilitates participation in bilateral forums including Indo-French CEO Forum, Joint Economic Committee meetings, sector-specific working groups, and ministerial economic dialogues. France-India Annual Summit at highest political level drives strategic economic cooperation.

The Embassy of France in New Delhi serves northern India including Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, and surrounding areas. For other regions: Consulate General in Bangalore (serving Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana), Consulate General in Kolkata (serving West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, northeastern states), Consulate General in Mumbai (serving Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh), and Consulate General in Puducherry (serving Puducherry and surrounding areas). Contact appropriate consulate based on residence. For visa applications, use VFS Global center serving your area.

The Embassy is located at 2/50-E Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, in diplomatic enclave. Accessible by Delhi Metro (Lok Kalyan Marg station nearest), taxis, ride services. Public access by appointment only. Valid photo ID required; security screening mandatory. Embassy observes French and Indian holidays. French National Day (Bastille Day) celebrated July 14th with events attended by Indian officials, French community, business leaders, and friends of France. President Macron's visit to India as Republic Day Chief Guest in January 2024 and adoption of Horizon 2047 roadmap demonstrate strength of strategic partnership. For Indian travelers to France, information on visa requirements (Schengen visa, Campus France procedure for students), travel insurance (minimum EUR 30,000 coverage required), health recommendations, accommodation available at embassy website and VFS Global. France attractions include Paris (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Champs-Élysées), historic cities (Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Bordeaux), châteaux (Loire Valley, Versailles), French Riviera, wine regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne), Alpine regions, cultural heritage, gastronomy, fashion, and arts. For comprehensive information, consult embassy website (in.ambafrance.org) and France.fr tourism portal.