Indian Visa from France

Key aspects of Indian e-Visa Application for French Citizens

Are French citizens required to courier passport / photograph / documents to Indian Embassy?

No, you do not need courier any required or supporting document to obtain Indian e-Visa. French Citizens can either send the evidence documents either by email in response to a query by Immigration Officer or Government of India requirement regarding your Indian Visa Application or upload documents on this website in case required to support your India Visa Application. The link to upload documents required for Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) will be sent to the applicant’s email address provided at the time of filing Indian Visa Online. French Citizens can also email directly to India e-Visa Help Desk.

What help and support can French Citizens expect during Indian Visa Online Application process?

Some of the advantages of applying Indian Visa Online from this website for the Government of India official immigration Visa are as follows:

Is there a requirement for French Citizens to visit Indian Embassy at any stage?

When Indian Visa from France is applied online there is no requirement at any stage to visit Indian Embassy or Indian Consulate. Once the eVisa for India is received by email, you are authorised to travel to India..

You do not have to visit Indian Embassy for any confirmation or stamp on the passport.

Indian Visa Online is recorded in the central computer system of the Government of India, the Immigration Officers can access this information from any Airport of the world. Your name and passport number and French Nationality is recorded in the computer system.

French citizens are required to either keep a soft copy of email received on Phone/Computer/Tablet or printed copy and carry the eVisa to the airport. There is no stamp requirement on the passport for French citizens for the electronic Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) that is sent in an email.

Can I apply for a Business Visit to India on French passport?

Indian Visa from France can be applied for business visits as well as tourist and medical visit under the Indian Government policy of eVisa India (India Visa Online). Business journey to India by French Citizens can be for any of the several reasons as described in detail in  Business e-Visa for India.

How long does approval of French application take?

In the business as usual circumstances you can get a decision in 3 or 4 days. However this assumes that you have completed the Indian Visa Application Form online correctly and uploaded required documents. Completing the form correctly means putting in correct passport information like first name, surname, date of birth without a mismatch and have also provided any additional supporting application documents like French Passport scan copy and Face photograph. In case of a Business Visa you would have been additionally required to provide a Business Card and Business Invitation Letter or a Medical Letter from the hospital in case of Medical e-Visa for India. In some cases however it could take up to 7 business days depending on the correctness of the data in the Indian Visa Application or public holidays scheduled in India at the time of application or the busy holiday season.

What facilities can be enjoyed with regards to the Indian e-Visa by the French Citizens?

The advantages of the Indian Visa Online received electronically (eVisa India) are as follows:

What are the limitations with regards to the Indian e-Visa for French Citizens?

There are a few limitations of Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) which are: French Citizens cannot pursue journalism, film making, university degree in India or long term paid work on eVisa India (India Visa Online). Additionally, India Visa Online (eVisa India) does not provide the privilege of visiting military or cantonment areas – separate permission is required from the Government of India to visit these protected sites.

What should be French Citizens be aware of if coming to Indian on e-Visa?

The guidance provided on this website for the Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) is sufficient for French citizens, however the additional guidance and tips will be helpful to avoid the embarrassment of rejection or being refused entry into India. Indian Business Visa and Business Visitor arriving on Indian Business Visa have helpful guidance to prepare you for a successful outcome for your business visit to India.

Try not to Overstay

There is a fine of 300 US Dollars in India for exceeding your stay by as long as 90 days. Also, as much as 500 dollars fine for over staying to 2 years. Indian Government can likewise make legitimate move to impose penalty. You may likewise impact your reputation for future travel and make it difficult to obtain visa for different nations by over extending your stay in India.

If you are already in India or have applied for one of the above electronic Visas (eVisa India), and would like to extend your stay in India, then you can contact FRRO who decide the policy of extension of eVisa.

Take printout of Indian Visa sent by Email

Having a paper copy of your Indian e-Visa is optional for French citizens, but is more secure. Your phone with the e-Visa confirmation could be lost, stolen, or run out of battery, leaving you without proof of your visa at immigration. A printout acts as a backup and ensures you have documentation readily available upon arrival in India.

Ensure Passport has 2 blank pages

You have to have 2 empty or blank pages so the immigration officials of the Indian Immigration Department can append section stamp and leave stamp on your Passport at the airport.

Passport validity of 6 months

Your identification travel document which in most cases is an Ordinary Passport must be valid for a half year on the date of application of Indian Visa Application.

Please describe the application process for Indian Visa for French Citizens?

There are several types of Indian Visa, depending on the citizenship of the visitor. French Citizens need to complete the following simple steps to acquire Indian Visa:

• Step 1: Fill out the easy and straightforward Indian Visa Application Form, (Estimated time to complete is 3 minutes for most applicants).
• Step 2: Pay in 1 of 137 currencies using a Debit or Credit card.
• Step 3: Provide additional information, if requested by Government of India, we will email you if any further details are requested from you.
• Step 4: Get an approved electronic Indian Visa Online (eVisa India) by email.
• Step 5: You can go to any French or foreign airport to board your flight for India..

Note:

• You do not require a Visa stamp on your passport.
• Indian Online Visa is recorded in the computer system that Immigration Officers can access from any airport in the world.
• You should wait for our email before departing to the airport until we have emailed you an approved e-Visa for India.

What can French citizens do after getting an approved Indian Visa Online by email?

If the Online Visa for India (eVisa India) is approved by the Immigration Officers from the Government of India office, then it will be notified to you by secure email. You will find a PDF attachment which you can carry to the airport, alternatively you can take a paper printout of the email which contains information about your Indian e-Visa.

You can go to the airport either in the France or any offshore airport and visit India. At no stage do you need a stamp on your passport for Visa nor is there a need to visit the Indian Embassy or Indian consulate.

How many Airports can the citizens of France arrive in India?

Citizens of France can utilise the eVisa India on Thirty One (31) Airports as on 2024. This list of airports is constantly revised to stay up to date on the Indian Visa Arrival Airports and Seaports. Note that, if your Airport or Seaport is not in the list, then you should book a regular paper Visa at one of the Indian Embassy.

Is Indian Visa for French citizens needed if coming by cruise ship?

Electronic India Visa is required if coming by a cruise ship. As of today, however, the eVisa India is valid on the following sea ports if arriving by cruise ship:

• Chennai
• Cochin
• Goa
• Mangalore
• Mumbai
• Port Blair

Can French Citizens arrive India from any country in the world?

Yes, you can enter India from ANY country in the world into India. You need not be living in that country as a resident.

However, there is a limitation on which ports you can enter from and which ports you can exit from. Designated airports and seaports are allowed for Entry into India on eVisa. While Airports, Seaports, Railway Ports and Land Ports are allowed for Exit from India on eVisa.

When do I need to contact Embassy?

During the Online electronic Visa process for India, at no stage are you required to visit or call Embassy of India.

However, if your eVisa is rejected for some reason, which is very rare case, then, you may be asked to apply for a regular paper Visa at the Indian Embassy. Read our guide on how to avoid rejection of Indian Visa.

Activities allowed to French Citizens on Indian e-Visa

French citizens cannot engage in long term work or permanent employment on eVisa India. However, the following is allowed on eVisa:

• Volunteer work
• Business meetings, recruitment, setting up projects, technical meetings, fixing machinery or computer, this will require invitation letter from Indian company
• Conferences
• Trade fairs
• Meeting friends, relatives
• Studying for less than 6 months
• Medical treatment or being a Nurse / Attendant of someone who is coming for medical treatment
• Workshops
• Conducting tours as a travel guide

Summary of Indian eVisa for Citizens of France

Citizens of France need to keep the following into consideration:

• Several types of Indian eVisa are available for your citizenship like Tourist, Medical, Business and Conference
• eVisa for India is also valid for travel by sea and Port Blair is now also an authorised seaport for Entry. Refer to cruise ship visit
• Upload or email us your face photograph as per photo specifications, this can be taken by any mobile phone
• Passport must have two empty pages and also valid for six months
• Documents will be required for business and medical visa such as business invitation letter in case of Business eVisa and hospital letter for the patient in case of Medical eVisa
• Majority of airports and seaports are covered, however eVisa is not valid for entry by Land into India
• Thirty days eVisa is sufficient for most cases but there is a five years multiple entry eVisa for Tourist who intend to visit India frequently
• Go through our handy tips for business visitors for business trips
• Ensure you answer everything truthfully to avoid rejection of eVisa

Things To Do and Places of Interest for French Citizens

• Kesaria Stupa, Kesaria
• City Palace, Jaipur
• Rani Ki Vav, Patan
• Cellular Jail, Port Blair
• The Ridge, Shimla
• Mysore Palace, Mysore
• Gwalior Fort, Gwalior
• Victoria Terminus (Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus), Mumbai
• Lingaraja Temple Complex, Khurda
• Qila Mubarak, Bhatinda
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, Mumbai

France Embassy in New Delhi