VFS Global France Visa: Applying from India Step by Step

The visa appointment itself is the easy part. It is the preparation that trips people up. Get your documents right, book early, and you will walk out of the VFS centre with nothing but a wait ahead of you.

If you are applying for a French long stay visa (séjour) from India, you are almost certainly going through VFS Global, the outsourced visa application centre that handles French consulate submissions across major Indian cities. VFS does not decide your visa, the French consulate does. VFS's job is to check your documents, collect your biometrics, and forward your application. Understanding this distinction will save you a lot of stress.

2026 Regulatory Alert

2026 Regulatory Alert: French language proficiency requirements for titre de séjour renewals and Campus France interview standards are subject to ongoing revision. Requirements vary by permit category, institution, and intake year. Before applying, verify the current language and interview requirements for your specific situation directly on france-visas.gouv.fr and your Campus France regional portal.

Step 1: Before You Even Open the VFS Website

The VFS appointment is the last step, not the first. Before you book anything, you need two things in order.

Campus France registration first. If you are a student, you must complete your Campus France process: upload documents, pay the registration fee, and attend a Campus France interview if required. This must happen before the consulate will accept your visa application. Do not skip this or treat it as a parallel process. It must come first.

The standard documents required for Campus France registration from India include:

• Passport (copy)
• Academic transcripts: Class 10, Class 12, and all undergraduate mark sheets and degree certificate
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• CV / résumé
• Language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, DELF/DALF, or TCF, depending on the programme)
• Proof of financial resources
• Admission letter or proof of application to a French institution (if already obtained)

The exact list varies by institution and programme level. Always verify the requirements on your Campus France regional portal (India: inde.campusfrance.org) before uploading. Missing a document at this stage delays the entire visa timeline.

Your france-visas.gouv.fr application. Once Campus France clears you, go to france-visas.gouv.fr and complete your online visa application. This portal generates a barcode stamped application form you must print and bring to your VFS appointment. Without it, your appointment is useless.

Tip: The france-visas.gouv.fr portal will ask for your travel dates and accommodation proof. If you do not yet have a confirmed address in France, use your CROUS accommodation letter as a placeholder.

Step 2: Booking Your VFS Appointment

Go to visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/fra and click "Book an Appointment". Select the France long stay visa category, then choose the VFS centre nearest to you. VFS France centres currently operate in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Book as early as humanly possible. During the April to September peak season, slots in metros disappear within hours of opening. Aim to book at least 8 to 10 weeks before your intended travel date. As of early 2026, the New Delhi centre relocated to a new address. Confirm the current address directly on the VFS website before you travel to the appointment.

Processing typically takes 15 working days after your appointment, though it can extend to 30 to 45 working days during peak months. Factor this into your travel planning.

Step 3: The Document Checklist

This is where most rejections happen. The VFS officer checks documents; the consulate makes the decision. Arriving with an incomplete set wastes both your appointment and your time. For a long stay student visa, your standard dossier includes:

• Passport: valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay, with at least 2 blank pages
• Visa application form: printed from france-visas.gouv.fr with the barcode visible
• Photos: 2 passport size photos matching French consulate specifications (35x45mm, plain white background, no glasses)
• Campus France attestation: proof you have completed your Campus France process
• Admission letter: original letter from your French institution
• Financial proof: bank statements showing at least €7,380 per year (approximately ₹6.5 to 7 lakh as of 2026, verify current rates), or a scholarship letter covering these costs
• Accommodation proof: lease agreement, CROUS allocation letter, or university residence confirmation
• Travel insurance: covering medical repatriation, with minimum €30,000 coverage, valid for the first 90 days of your stay
• Proof of ties to India: not always required for students, but useful to have. Proof of family, property, or previous return from travel

Important: All documents in Indian languages must be accompanied by a certified English or French translation. Your school leaving certificates and degree certificates may require an apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) if specifically requested by the consulate. Check the current consulate requirements carefully. Not all documents require apostille for a student visa, but having it done in advance avoids last minute scrambles.

Step 4: At the VFS Centre

Your appointment typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes. The VFS officer will:

1. Verify your documents against the checklist
2. Collect your biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph)
3. Accept your application fee and issue a receipt with a tracking reference

The VFS service fee is charged on top of the French consulate visa fee. As of 2026, the total cost is approximately ₹8,000 to 12,000 depending on visa type and any optional courier/lounge services you add. Verify the current fee breakdown on the VFS portal before your appointment.

Keep your tracking reference. You can use it to monitor your application status on the VFS website.

Step 5: After Submission, What Happens Next

Your application goes to the French consulate, which makes the final decision. You cannot contact the consulate directly. VFS is your only point of contact.

If approved, your passport will either be returned via courier (if you opted for that service) or will be available for collection at the VFS centre. Your visa will be a VLS-TS (long stay visa that serves as a temporary residence permit), valid typically for the duration of your first academic year. Once in France, you must validate this visa online via the ANEF portal (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr) within 3 months of arrival. Failure to validate means you are technically in France illegally, even with a valid visa sticker.

Crucial Tip: The ANEF validation is the step most new arrivals miss because they assume the visa stamp is sufficient. It is not. Set a reminder for your first week in France.

On bank statements: Submit your Indian bank statements in INR. The consulate calculates the EUR equivalent. The consulate wants to see funds that are clearly accessible and liquid; a savings or current account in your name (or a parent's, with a sponsorship letter) is standard. For guidance on remitting money to France and current TCS rules under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, see our Forex and Remittances guide.

This guide was drafted from verified service-public.fr sources. Always confirm details on the official website before taking action.