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What You Need To Know About Applying For A France Business Visa?

Last Update: 05-12-2024

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⚡Quick Summary

France Business Visa for Indians

Is a visa required to visit France for business purposes?

Yes, all Indian passport holders require a visa to visit France for business meetings and conference related purposes.

France Business Visa processing time

15 Working Days

France Business visa fees

  1. VFS Appointment fees: Euro 19.25(INR 1,825/-)
  2. Embassy fees:
  3. 0 to 6 years old: No fee.
  4. 6 to 12 years old: Euro 40 (INR 3,400/-)
  5. 12+ years: Euro 80 (INR 7,100/-

France business visa validity

180 Days(subject to embassy approval)

France business visa duration

90 Days

How to apply for a France business visa

  1. Apply through Teleport in under 2 minutes
  2. Apply through VFS Global website.

Documents required for France  business visa

  1. Passport 
  2. Visa Application Form
  3. Passport-sized Photograph
  4. Travel Medical Insurance - € 30,000
  5. Flight tickets and Hotel Bookings
  6. Bank Statement (last 3 months)
  7. Income tax return (last 2 years)
  8. Invitation Letter
  9. Cover Letter(Company and Applicant)
  10. Company Sponsorship Letter

Does France offer visas on arrival?

France does not provide visas upon arrival for Indian citizens; it is necessary to obtain an approved visa before departure.

Is my French visa a Schengen visa?

Yes, Your French visa functions as a Schengen visa, granting you short-term access to all 27 Schengen countries, including France.

Do Citizens Of India Need A Business Visa For France?

Yes, Indian citizens planning to engage in business activities in France need a Business Visa. This visa ensures compliance with the legal requirements for conducting business within the country.

Table of Contents


  1. Introduction
  2. When Should I Apply For A France Schengen Visa?
  3. How To Get A French Business Visa From India?
  4. Documents Required for a France Business Visa Application for Indians
  5. France Business Visa Processing Time And Fees for Indians
  6. How To Track France Business Visa Applications For Indians?
  7. What To Do If Your France Business Visa Gets Rejected?
  8. Conclusion
  9. FAQs

Introduction

Planning on a business journey to France? Our comprehensive guide breaks down the essential steps for Indian citizens applying for a France Business Visa. From understanding the visa requirements to practical tips on tracking your application status, we've got you covered. 


Whether you choose Teleport or VFS Global for your application, our user-friendly instructions ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Learn about fees, processing times, and what to do in case of a rejection. 


If you have any questions or need assistance, our dedicated team is here for you. Feel free to contact us for guidance and support. 


Give us a call at 073148 52914 or connect with us on WhatsApp


Your smooth journey to France is our priority – Safe travels! ✈️

When Should I Apply For A France Schengen Visa?

You can apply for a Schengen visa in a France diplomatic mission if:


  1. Single Schengen Country Visit: If you're visiting only one Schengen country, in this case France, apply at the France consulate which is your first entry point.
  2. Multiple Schengen Countries with Equal Stay Duration: If you're visiting several Schengen countries, each for a similar duration (e.g., tourism in France, Germany, and Switzerland), apply at the consulate of the country you'll enter first—in this case, France.
  3. Main Purpose of Visit Rule: The main purpose is the primary reason for travelling to the Schengen area, determining where you'll spend the most time or where the primary objective lies. If you plan to visit several Schengen countries and the main destination cannot be determined, you must submit your application to the embassy or consulate of the country that is your first point of entry to the Schengen area. Example: If your main purpose is attending a conference in France while visiting multiple countries, apply at the French consulate.
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Teleport’s Expert Tip

Start applying for a Schengen visa for France up to 6 months before your trip. We recommend you submit your application at least 30 days before you depart for the most hassle-free processing.

How To Get A French Business Visa From India?

Get Your French Business Visa Effortlessly with Teleport

Streamlined Process for Your French Business Visa with Teleport:


Step 1: Initiate Application: Start your French business visa application on Teleport's platform.


Step 2: Complete Application and Payment: Fill in your basic travel and passport details and make the visa payment via Teleport, choosing full or partial upfront payment.


Step 3: Document Preparation and Review: Your relationship manager will review and prepare all necessary documents for the France visa application.


Step 4: Appointment Booking: Teleport's dedicated relationship manager will schedule an appointment on your behalf with the VFS Appointment centre.


Step 5: Visit VFS Centre and Submit Biometrics: Attend your appointment at the VFS Visa Application Centre near you, and submit your biometrics and required documentations.


After the appointment, you can opt for passport delivery via courier or pick it up personally from the visa centre.


✅For comprehensive assistance, your dedicated relationship manager takes care of document review, appointment booking, and logistics, streamlining the overall experience.

Apply for your Business Visa to France through VFS Global

Step 1: Initiate your application

Head to the FRANCE-VISAS website and navigate to "Start your visa application.”


Step 2: Create your account

Login or create a new account and proceed with the application .


Step 3: Enter your travel plans

You need to fill in your travel plans, nationality travel document number and purpose of stay.


Business Visa to France through VFS Global


Step 4: Schedule your Appointment

Following the submission of your visa application, book an appointment at the VFS Visa Application Centre for biometric data collection, including fingerprints and a photo.

Once the appointment is made, you'll receive a confirmation email along with your appointment letter.


Step 5: Pay your fees

If online payment of service fees isn't available, pay the service fees at the Visa Application Centre along with the visa fees during your appointment.


Step 6: Visit the Visa Application Centre

Submit your fully completed business visa application form and documents in person at one of the designated Visa Application Centers, unless directed otherwise.


Step 7: Monitor your application

Track your application's status on the France-visas website under the "Track your Application" section.


Alternatively, if you submitted your application at a VFS visa application centre, use the VFS online application tracking tool, providing your reference number and last name.


Step 8: Get Your Visa

Upon a decision being made on your business visa application, collect your documents and passport from the Visa Application Centre.


If you opted for a courier service during application submission, your documents will be returned through the selected courier.


Documents Required for a France Business Visa Application for Indians

Mandatory Documents

Original Passport

  • Two blank pages required.
  • Valid for three months beyond the trip's end.
  • Issued within the last ten years.
  • Include scanned copies of the first and last passport pages, along with previous passport pages showing travel history.

Passport-Sized Photos

  • Dimensions: 35mm by 45mm.
  • Face covering 80% of the frame.
  • White background.
  • Taken within the last six months.

Schengen Visa Application Form

  • Sign the application form and bring it to your appointment

Flight Bookings

Confirmation of round-trip bookings, including internal transfers within Schengen States (flight itinerary, train itinerary, or car rental details).

Hotel Bookings

Proof of hotel bookings for your entire stay in France.

Travel Medical Insurance

Minimum coverage of € 30,000.

Appointment Letter

Carry the appointment letter containing your name, appointment date, time, and location to enter the visa centre.

3 Months Bank Statement Copy

  • Recommended budget of 120 Euros per person per day of the trip.
  • The statement should be no more than 4 days old on the appointment day.

Income Tax Return

Personal Income Tax Returns for the previous financial year

Company Cover Letter

  • Introduction letter from the Indian company on official letterhead.
  • States the purpose of the visit and outlines the relationship between the Indian and French company.

Applicant Cover Letter

Personal letter from the applicant explaining the purpose of the visit and providing trip details.

Company Sponsorship Letter (from Indian employer)

  • If the trip is sponsored by the Indian company, this letter provides details of the sponsorship.
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Teleport’s Expert Tip

For France visas, unlike other Schengen visas, there's no need for a bank stamp on your account statement. Simply download and print an online copy of your bank statement.

Supporting Documents

If Sponsored

Include the sponsor's bank statement of the last 3 months, sponsorship letter stating the amount and relationship.

If Employed

  • Include the Income Tax Department Return or Form 16
  • Leave NOC from the Employer
  • Last three months' salary slips

If Retired

Proof of retirement and regular income from property or business ownership.

If Self-employed

  • GST certificate
  • Company registration proof
  • Company bank statement
  • Company ITR

If Married

  • Marriage certificate copy
  • Rental/property agreement, or Aadhar card.

If Divorced

  • Include divorce papers

France Business Visa Processing Time And Fees for Indians

Processing Time

15 Working Days

VFS Appointment Fees

€ 19.25(₹1,825/-)

Embassy Fees (0-6 years)

No Fee

Embassy Fees (6-12 years)

€ 40 (₹ 3,400/-)

Embassy Fees (12+ years)

€ 80 (₹ 7,100/-)

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Teleport’s Expert Tip

Although the standard processing time is 15 to 21 days, in our experience, many France visas are often approved within just one week.

How To Track France Business Visa Applications For Indians?

Track Your France Business Visa Application Status with Teleport

If you have applied for a France visa for Indians using Teleport, effortlessly stay informed about your application status. Receive real-time updates through WhatsApp, email, or directly from the Teleport Dashboard.

  1. Log in to the Teleport Dashboard.
  2. Find 'Your Applications.'
  3. Click on your submitted application to check its current status.

Track Your France Business Visa Application Status via VFS Global

You also have the option to track the status of your France visa application through the VFS Global website.

  1. Visit the VFS online application tracking tool.
  2. Choose the country where you submitted the application.
  3. Enter your application reference number provided during payment at the VFS center.
  4. Enter your last name.

What To Do If Your France Business Visa Gets Rejected?

  1. For long-stay visas, appeal to the Commission for Appeals against Visa Refusal Decisions (CRRV – BP 83609 – 44036 NANTES CEDEX 1). Your appeal, written in French and signed, is a necessary step before any further appeal to the administrative judge.
  2. For short-stay visas refused from January 1, 2023, appeal to the Deputy Director of Visas (BP 83609 44036 Nantes Cedex 01). Your written and signed appeal, justifiable in nature, is mandatory before any administrative judge appeals.

If you haven't received a decision within two months from the application date, it's considered an implicit refusal. In such cases, you can appeal either to the CRRV or the Deputy Director of Visas, depending on the type of visa applied for.


You can appeal to the CRRV either in person, through a lawyer, or with a family member holding a mandate. Your appeal, written in French, should be sent by regular mail to the address below:


Commission de recours contre les Décisions de refus de visa d’entrée en France

BP 83609

44036 NANTES Cedex 01

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Teleport’s Expert Tip

Conclusion

In conclusion, securing a France Business Visa is a straightforward process for Indian citizens. Teleport offers a user-friendly experience, allowing you to apply in under 2 minutes. Application process involves necessary steps like document submission, appointment booking, and fee payment. 


This guide aims to simplify the France Business Visa application, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for Indian travellers pursuing business opportunities in France.


Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out to us with any queries or if you need help. Our committed team is ready to provide guidance and support. 


You can contact us by calling 073148 52914 or messaging us on WhatsApp


Wishing you a hassle-free journey to France – Safe Travels! ✈️

FAQs

Is a business visa required for Indian citizens travelling to France for business purposes?

Yes, all Indian passport holders must obtain a business visa to visit France for activities like business meetings and conferences.

What is the France Business Visa processing time for Indians?

The processing time is approximately 15 working days after the appointment at the Visa Application Centre.

How much does a France Business Visa cost for Indians?

The total cost includes VFS Appointment fees (INR 1,825) and Embassy fees, which vary based on age: No fee for 0 to 6 years old, Euro 40 (INR 3,400) for 6 to 12 years old, and Euro 80 (INR 7,100) for 12+ years.

What happens if my France Business Visa application is rejected?

It is often recommended to reapply rather than appealing for the rejection because reapplying is more easier and simpler process. 

Is my France Business Visa also valid for other Schengen countries?

Yes, your French business visa functions as a Schengen visa, allowing short-term access to all 27 Schengen countries, including France.

Is it necessary to have travel insurance for a France visa?

Yes, it's a must. When applying for a France visa, you need travel insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros. It's strongly advisable for travellers to consider acquiring health insurance coverage from reputable providers such as Tata AIG, Digit Insurance, HDFC Ergo, and others.

Do I have to provide biometric data for a France visa from India?

Yes, France issues biometric visas. Applicants aged 12 or above must visit in person to submit their applications. During this, they provide biometric information, including a photo and fingerprints. If you have a biometric Schengen visa from the last 59 months, your previous data may be reused only if it was issued by France consulates.

What if I'm visiting for both work and tourism in the Schengen area?

If your trip includes both work and pleasure, focus on the main purpose of your visit in Schengen area. Ensure your supporting documents align with the primary reason for your visit, including applying for a France tourist visa if leisure is your main purpose. For instance, if work is the main reason, emphasize work-related documents like an invitation letter or employer's statement. The key is to match your documentation with the primary purpose of your trip.

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