France Business Visa for Indians - Procedure, Fees, etc.

If you want to enter the French Republic for the purpose of taking part in business activities, you require a France Schengen business visa. With this, you will be able to take part in business conferences, meetings, and other business-related activities. Issued for a duration of 90 days in a 180-day period, this category comes in the form of single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. However, not everyone requires this. For people belonging to other Schengen countries, and a few other visa-exempt nations, there is no requirement for a visa. They will be able to visit the country and stay there for 90 days without any prior application.

To apply for this business permit, you will have to make an online application. However, for the submission, you must visit a France outsourced Visa Application Center (VAC). Despite this, the VAC has no control over the processing, This is done only by the Embassy or Consulates of France in India. Before starting the application, you must ensure that you are eligible to travel on this permit. After this, you may proceed to start the application as follows - 

1. Acquire all the documents you will need for the business category. 
2. Create an account at the French embassy website known as French-Visas. 
3. Fill in the online application form with all the necessary details. The form is the same for all short term category. However, you must mention that your purpose of the visit is ‘business’.
4. You will then receive an email of the completed application form. Take a print out of this. 
5. Proceed to book the visa appointment for the document and biometric submission at a VAC. You can do this by calling the call centre of the VAC, or online by visiting their website.
6. With the appointment confirmation receipt, completed application form, and the documents, attend the appointment in person. 
7. You will have to submit the documents and a biometric here. Also, you must pay the fees at this centre. 

Please ensure that you carry all the original documents to the appointment. You will have to show these to the officers. However, you must submit only photocopies of these documents (except passport). Also, do not submit any fake documents, or falsify the information. These can lead to visa rejection.

If you have submitted your biometrics to the Schengen VIS(Visa Information System) in the past 5 years, these will still be present. As a result, you do not have to submit these again. In this case, you do not have to be physically present for the appointment.

To be able to apply for the business type, you must meet the conditions as required by the embassy. Failure to do so can get your application refused. The following are the eligibility criteria - 

• You must be residing in your home country while applying from within. If you are living in a residence permit in a foreign nation, you may apply it from there. 
• You must possess a valid passport as per the specifications. 
• Your primary purpose of the visit must be to take part in business-related activities only.
• You must have been invited by a company or organization in France. 
• You must have sufficient funds to support you throughout your stay in the country. 
• You must apply for the France business visa only if -

• 1. France is your only destination, or
  2. France is one of your multiple Schengen destinations, in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or,
  3.  France is your port of entry.

As per the requirements by the embassy, the following are the documents required for France business visa for a successful application. However, keep in mind that there may a few changes to these according to your status. It is necessary to check the exact documents for you before applying. 

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must consist of at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  3. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.

• Print out of the application confirmation and appointment confirmation
• A covering letter from the company of the applicant - 

• 1. This should include the applicant's basic details.
  2. It should clearly mention the source of funds for the stay.
  3. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  4. It must be on the company letterhead and must contain the seal. 
  5. It should be addressed to the Embassy of France.

• Invitation letter from the French organisation/company stating complete details of the visit. This much match with the covering letter. 
• Travel itinerary/documents - 

• 1. A detailed travel itinerary 
  2. Proof of round trip flight booking
  3. Proof of accommodation 

• Medical travel insurance coverage up to at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

• 1. Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc

• Financial documents -

• 1. Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc.

The France business visa photo specifications are as follows -

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured 
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be recently captured - within last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral facial expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

Even though the actual time taken from the date of application to the date of receipt of the visa depends on a large number of factors, the majority of this time is taken for the processing. The processing time varies according to the number of entries, the validity, the volume of application at the embassy, verification time, and so on. Normally, the permit is processed in about 15 working days. However, due to the unpredictability, it is suggested that you apply well in advance. You must apply at least 15 working days before, but not more than 3 months.

The total fees of the process include the application fees, biometric fees, as well as any other service charges. The application fees can vary upon a few parameters such as the entry type, foreign exchange rates of the Euro, and so on. Since these can vary without any prior notice, it is mandated that you check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted the application successfully and paid the fees, the application package will be sent to the embassy or consulate for processing. This is done with respect to the jurisdiction. If the embassy requires any additional verification or documentation, you will be contacted. You may have to attend an interview in certain cases. If approved, the passport with the visa sticker can be picked up from the VAC. You may also opt for it to be delivered to your address for an additional fee.

While you are eagerly waiting for the status of your application, you may use a few tools to track your application. You can do this by visiting the website of the VAC and then entering your application number and name on the tracking portal. You may also opt for SMS notification services provided by the VAC. If you have applied through a travel agency, you can ask them to track it for you.

Once you obtain this permit successfully, you must keep in mind the following points to ensure that you have minimum difficulties during your travel -

• Keep a note of the expiry date, as well as the number of entries on the visa sticker. You must not stay in the country beyond this period. Also, your travel cycle must be with regard to the entry type. For example, you cannot leave the Schengen region and enter back in with a single-entry type of tourist permit.
• Travel to France within 6 months of the issue date. Your permit will become invalid after this period. 
• Ensure that you carry a copy of the passport and other travel documents such as visa, travel insurance, etc while you are travelling within the country. This can come in handy in case of emergencies.
• While you are travelling as a business visitor, you must not engage in work or other employment activities. However, there is no restriction on taking part in tourism or visiting friends/family.
• This permit is non-extendable and trying to extend this is not advisable.
• You may visit any of the Schengen countries while you are on the Uniform France Schengen business visa. However, if you have been issued with a French permit of the LTV form (Limited Territorial Validity), you will only be allowed to visit the countries mentioned on the sticker.