India Visa for French Citizens
French citizens are fully eligible for India's e-Visa. Two things catch French travellers out: the regular tourist visa limits each visit to 90 days, not the 180 days US or UK citizens get; and since 1 July 2025, visa applications in France go straight to the Embassy in Paris or the Consulate General in Marseille, not VFS. This guide covers what is specific to French travellers; documents and process for each visa type are the same for all foreign nationals and covered on our service pages.
Last reviewed: · Independent consultancy — verify with official sources
India Visa Essentials for French Citizens
- •MHA's visa guidelines give French nationals a regular tourist visa of up to 5 years with each visit limited to 90 days — US, Canadian and Japanese nationals get 10 years, and they and UK nationals 180 days per visit. The 1- and 5-year e-Tourist Visas are limited differently, by the portal, to 180 days in a calendar year. The conditions printed on your own visa are the ones that bind you.
- •VFS Global stopped handling Indian visa services in France on 1 July 2025. The Embassy of India in Paris (20–22 Rue Albéric Magnard, 75016 Paris) now takes applications directly, by appointment booked on its website, and the Consulate General in Marseille does the same. e-Visas skip both — they are applied for online.
- •Passport rules match all nationalities: six months' validity at application and two blank pages.
- •Tourist visas — e-Visa and paper alike — may only be used to enter at a designated air or sea immigration check post. Arriving overland or by riverine route on a tourist visa is not permitted, which matters if you were planning to enter from Nepal, Bhutan or Bangladesh.
Which India visa do you need?
The requirements and process for each category are the same for all foreign nationals. For tourism, French travellers use the official e-Visa portal. For everything below, we handle the paperwork end to end:
Meetings, conferences, investment exploration.
Paid work with an Indian employer.
Spouses and children of visa holders.
Persons of Indian origin and spouses.
Treatment at recognised Indian hospitals.
Mandatory for stays beyond 180 days.
Extend an eligible long-stay visa.
Leave India after an overstay or expiry.
For tourism and short business trips, most French citizens use the official India e-Visa portal. For employment, family (X), long-stay, or any FRRO matter, apply directly to the Embassy of India in Paris or the Consulate General in Marseille, by appointment — our team prepares the file end to end.
India Visa FAQs for French Citizens
How long can French citizens stay in India on an e-Tourist Visa?
The 30-day e-Tourist Visa allows up to 30 days, with multiple entry. On the 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist Visas, the portal limits you to 180 days in a calendar year. The 90-days-per-visit limit French travellers hear about belongs to the regular paper tourist visa, under MHA's guidelines. Check the conditions on your own grant.
Do French citizens need a visa for India?
Yes — there is no visa-free entry for French citizens. Short visits typically use the e-Visa applied for online; longer or non-tourist purposes need the appropriate regular visa from the Embassy in Paris or the Consulate General in Marseille.
Where in France do I apply for a regular India visa?
Directly at the Embassy of India in Paris, or the Consulate General in Marseille, by appointment. VFS Global stopped handling Indian visa services in France on 1 July 2025, so guides pointing you to VFS centres in Lyon, Strasbourg or Bordeaux are out of date. e-Visas skip both — they are applied for online.
Can I enter India overland on a tourist visa?
No. Tourist visas restrict entry to designated air and sea immigration check posts; land border and riverine routes are not permitted. If your itinerary includes crossing from Nepal, Bhutan or Bangladesh, you need a category that allows it — check before you book.
Can French citizens get a Visa on Arrival in India?
No. India's Visa on Arrival covers only Japanese, South Korean and conditionally UAE nationals. French travellers apply for the e-Visa online, or a regular visa through the mission network in France, before departure.
Official government sources
We base our guidance on official Indian government sources and update it as rules change. Requirements are set by the authorities and can change — always verify the current position directly before you apply:
Disclaimer: India Visa Experts is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with the Government of India, its missions, or any government agency. Visa decisions rest solely with the relevant authorities. Nationality-specific terms (validity, eligibility) can change — verify the current position on the official sources above before you apply. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. See our editorial policy.
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Independent consulting service. Not affiliated with the Government of India or any government agency.