The French Consulate in Kolkata advises travel agents to warn their customers that they must apply for a new passport if there are any observations in the passport or if the passport is not machine readable.

Passport Requirement
Original passport, issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 3 months after the intended return date to India for the Schengen zone.
It must have a minimum of two blank pages (face to face).
A photocopy of the front and back pages with applicant's address must be submitted.
Copies of valid and expired visas for all Schengen countries, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, must also be shown.

With effect from 2 November 2015, Indian citizens requesting a Schengen visa will have to appear in person to provide biometric data (fingerprints and digital photography). This concerns the applications for the short-term Schengen visas (max. 90 days in 180 days).

For subsequent applications within next 5 years the biometric data will be copied from the previous visa application included in the VIS.

Apart from that, there will be no change in current procedures such as visa fee or forms. However, the applicants should be aware that due to provisions of biometric data, which might cause at the beginning some disruptions, the first visit to their respective Schengen State Consulate after 2 November 2015 might take a little bit longer.

Exemptions from the obligation of fingerprinting are provided for the following categories of applicants only :-
• Children under 12,
• Persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible;
• Sovereigns and other senior members of a royal family, Heads of State and members of the national Governments (with their official delegations and spouses) if they travel for official purposes.

Note :- Indian Passports holders have no longer required an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) while transiting through the International zone of any Airport in Franc

This visa is applicable in case you are traveling to visit your friends/relatives. This visa is given for travel of less than 90 days.

Note: For the visa submission Applicant / Agent needs to take appointment thru VFS site http://www.vfs-france.co.in/scheduleanappointment.html .

- The Applicant should have a original passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of application for the visa. One photocopy of the first and last page of the passport and photocopies of valid visa are required. Passports valid for more than 10 years will not be accepted as the main required travel document. It is mandatory to have two blank pages opposite to each other.
- Photocopies of valid US, U.K. and previous Schengen visas.
- Two recent passport size photographs (35 x 45 mm) with white / light background, 70-80% face coverage, photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo quality paper. Photograph should not have any stapler or pin marks disfiguring the face or background and must be pasted on the form.
- One application form with all columns filled.
- All Applicants should mention their mobile number on the visa application form.
- Travel Agents authorized by the embassy of france must mention the applicants mobile number on the visa application form and not their own mobile number or travel agency number.
- Covering letter IN ORIGINAL signed by the applicant. For self employed/ businessman, going on tourist visa, covering letter preferably on company's letterhead is required.
- Copy of CONFIRMED prepaid hotel reservation OR sponsorship certificate (attestation d'accueil*) IN ORIGINAL.
- Covering Letter signed by the Applicant. For self employed/ businessman, traveling on tourist visa, a Covering Letter preferably on Company's Letterhead is required (in original).
- Copy of ITINERARY prepared by the travel agency (for those going on tour).
- Photocopy of Applicant's PAN Card.
- Copy of income tax papers of last one year, last THREE month bank statement, last 3 months salary slips.
- Photocopy of overseas medical insurance policy + repatriation, evacuation cover (equivalent to 30,000 euros). Please carry your original insurance for verification at the time of submission of visa application form. Approved list of Indian Travel Insurance Companies providing Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa. Click here for approved list of Indian - Travel Insurance Companies providing Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa.
- Copy of air ticket or PNR (booking printout).
- All applicants except first time traveler (traveling first time to a Schengen country) while applying for a French visa will be required to fill visa insurance undertaking form in addition to the visa application form.
- For minor travelling alone the visa application must include an authorization from both his/her parents to travel alone. The authorization has to be certified by an entitled Indian authority and enclose copy of the parents' identity. /// If the minor is travelling with an adult other than his/her parents, this adult has to be legally authorized by the minor's parents to accompany him/her and take any measure that be needed in case of illness, accident,etc. /// If the minor is accompanied by only one of his/her parents, the other one should give his/her legal authorization to let her/his child travelling with his/her spouse
- For any student under 18, applicants are requested by the French authorities to provide with either a photocopy of certificate from their school or university or any other document as a proof of their enrollment as a student or apprentice.
- The photocopy of certificate from school or university or any other proof of professional or educative occupation is also requested whenever a young person over 18 is depending on his parents for his/her living expenses.
- Domestic help at the private service of a foreign national or a French national, accompanying his employer to France for a short stay needs to hold a working permit, like any foreigner going to work, full time or part time, in France.
- Submission of a contract established between the employee and the employer in accordance with the French Labour law, approved by the DDTEFP( Direction du travail, de l'emploiet de la formation professionnelle) center of the employer's place of vacation is compulsory for application for a visa.
- Visa issued is usually valid for 6 months with a stay of up to 90 days.
- The submission and collection of your visa application and passport from VFS can be done either by the applicant himself/herself or through any authorized person who bears an original authorization letter signed by the applicant and a photo-ID.
- The Embassy of France, New Delhi has implemented a change in arrangements for the collection of processed passport from visa application centres. With effect from 8th December 2014, it will no longer be possible for third parties to collect the documents on behalf of an applicant, except in the following cases:
Immediate family member (Parent, Child or sibling);
- One member of a group collecting for the entire group;
- A person collecting on behalf of Govt. officials if authorized on the Govt. letter head or department;
- Representative of a company - Authorization letter on the letter head of the company and the official ID card of the representative.
Note :- Embassy may asked for additional documents or personal presence at the time of submission or after the submission

This visa is applicable in case you are traveling on business / company work. This visa is given for travel of less than 90 days.

Note :- For the visa submission Applicant / Agent needs to take appointment thru VFS site http://www.vfs-france.co.in/scheduleanappointment.html .

- The Applicant should have a original passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of application for the visa. One photocopy of the first and last page of the passport and photocopies of valid visa are required. Passports valid for more than 10 years will not be accepted as the main required travel document. It is mandatory to have two blank pages opposite to each other.
- The photocopy of Passport photo page and address page of the applicant.
- Photocopies of valid US,U.K. and previous Schengen visas.
- Two recent passport size photographs (35 x 45 mm) with white / light background, 70-80% face coverage, photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo quality paper. Photograph should not have any stapler or pin marks disfiguring the face or background and must be pasted on the form.
- One application form with all columns filled.
- All Applicants should mention their mobile number on the visa application form.
- Travel Agents authorized by the embassy of france must mention the applicants mobile number on the visa application form and not their own mobile number or travel agency number.
- Covering letter from the COMPANY mentioning name and designation of the applicant and that of the signatory of managerial or executive level giving brief sketch of applicant's itinerary, name, address and email of the company to be visited.
- A copy of the Invitation Letter from the French Company.
- Copy of income tax papers of last one year, last THREE month bank statement, last 3 months salary slips.
- Photocopy of Applicant's PAN Card.
- Photocopy of overseas medical insurance policy + repatriation, evacuation cover (equivalent to 30,000 euros). Please carry your original insurance for verification at the time of submission of visa application form. Click here for approved list of Indian Travel Insurance Companies providing Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa.
- Confirmed onward/ return air ticket (with photocopy enclosed).
opy of air ticket or PNR (booking printout).
- Confirmed prepaid hotel reservation.
- All applicants except first time traveler (traveling first time to a Schengen country) while applying for a French visa will be required to fill visa insurance undertaking form in addition to the visa application form.
- Domestic help at the private service of a foreign national or a French national, accompanying his employer to France for a short stay needs to hold a working permit, like any foreigner going to work, full time or part time, in France.
- Submission of a contract established between the employee and the employer in accordance with the French Labour law, approved by the DDTEFP( Direction du travail, de l'emploiet de la formation professionnelle) center of the employer's place of vacation is compulsory for application for a visa.
- The documents must be arranged in the order given above.
- Visa is usually valid for 6 months with a stay of 90 days.
- The submission and collection of your visa application and passport from VFS can be done either by the applicant himself/herself or through any authorized person who bears an original authorization letter signed by the applicant and a photo-ID.
- The Embassy of France, New Delhi has implemented a change in arrangements for the collection of processed passport from visa application centres. With effect from 8th December 2014, it will no longer be possible for third parties to collect the documents on behalf of an applicant, except in the following cases:
Immediate family member (Parent, Child or sibling);
- One member of a group collecting for the entire group;
- A person collecting on behalf of Govt. officials if authorized on the Govt. letter head or department;
- Representative of a company - Authorization letter on the letter head of the company and the official ID card of the representative.
Note :- Embassy may asked for additional documents or personal presence at the time of submission or after the submission

Note: For the visa submission Applicant / Agent needs to take appointment thru VFS site http://www.vfs-france.co.in/scheduleanappointment.html

- The Applicant should have a original passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of application for the visa. One photocopy of the first and last page of the passport and photocopies of valid visa are required. Passports valid for more than 10 years will not be accepted as the main required travel document. It is mandatory to have two blank pages opposite to each other.
- The photocopy of Passport photo page and address page of the applicant.
- Photocopies of valid US, U.K. and previous Schengen visas.
- Two recent passport size photographs (35 x 45 mm) with white / light background, 70-80% face coverage, photographs taken with a digital camera must be high quality colour and printed on photo quality paper. Photograph should not have any stapler or pin marks disfiguring the face or background and must be pasted on the form.
- One application form with all columns filled.
- All Applicants should mention their mobile number on the visa application form.
- Travel Agents authorized by the embassy of france must mention the applicants mobile number on the visa application form and not their own mobile number or travel agency number.
- Covering Letter signed by the Applicant (in original).
- Copy of CONTRACT with Shipping Company.
INVITATION LETTER from agent in France.
- Original plus Copy of CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate)
- Copy of air ticket or PNR (booking printout).
- Photocopy of Applicant's PAN Card.
- All applicants except first time traveler (traveling first time to a Schengen country) while applying for a French visa will be required to fill visa insurance undertaking form in addition to the visa application form.
- Domestic help at the private service of a foreign national or a French national, accompanying his employer to France for a short stay needs to hold a working permit, like any foreigner going to work, full time or part time, in France.
- Submission of a contract established between the employee and the employer in accordance with the French Labour law, approved by the DDTEFP( Direction du travail, de l'emploiet de la formation professionnelle) center of the employer's place of vacation is compulsory for application for a visa.
- This visa is valid for a maximum stay of 5 days.
- Processing time is 7 to 10 working days.
- The submission and collection of your visa application and passport from VFS can be done either by the applicant himself/herself or through any authorized person who bears an original authorization letter signed by the applicant and a photo-ID.

Note :- Embassy may asked for additional documents or personal presence at the time of submission or after the submission