FRANCE EASES VISA ISSUANCE FOR INDIANS
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Asia accounts for the growing number of foreign tourists in France, among which more and more are Indian tourists. France welcomes an estimated 3,00,000 visitors from India annually, this number has seen a steady increase in the last few years.
To further promote France as a top most destination among Indian tourists as the peak season has just begun, the Embassy of France has decided to ease visa issuance for Indian visitors in parallel to all the web resources provided by Atout France, the agency for the promotion of tourism in France.
For independent travellers, following the suspension of biometrics for all visa applications since 1st July, 2013, applicants are not required to personally come to the French Consulate (unless specifically called for an interview). Furthermore, the embassy has decided to open more VFS centers throughout India.
A series of measures has also been taken in order to ease the process for the travel agencies:
- Travel Agencies can now submit files for individuals directly at the France Visa Application Center without prior appointment (for submission timings, please visit: http://www.vfs-france.co.in ).
- For groups of more than 10 applicants, Travel Agencies are requested to contact VFS well in advance before the scheduled departure date so as the VFS may appropriately guide them regarding the required documentation and the submission of the files for the group.
- If the files are submitted several weeks before of the scheduled departure of the applicants, the French Consulate can permit a free of charge return of the passport ('pass-back'), upon specific emergency request from an applicant, while the study of the file is still in process.
- As for hotel bookings, the Consulate requires from tour operators/travel agencies/travel service providers a document bearing the names, addresses and contacts of the hotels planned for the travel. French consular services in India will do their best to ensure the swiftest issuance of visa and count on your active cooperation to submit applications at the earliest.
- Scholar groups’ applications (from 6 to 18 years) will now be exempted of visa fees