For business short stay visa. This visa is given for business travel in France and the
Schengen countries for a duration not exceeding 90 days.
Visa fee: 60 Euros to be paid in Rupees at the up-to-date official rate of exchange
Who can apply
All applicants residing in India and Bhutan (Residents of Bhutan have to apply in
Kolkata and nowhere else).
- The French Consulate General in Kolkata wishes to warn all applicants that any
incomplete visa file runs a very high risk of passports being returned with an
endorsed visa refusal stamp. Applicants would then have to re-apply with repayment
of all the fees and presentation of a complete new file
- Therefore, please make sure that all mandatory documents and copies listed below
are provided on application.
- Applications not presented at least two weeks before the departure date may not be
processed on time
Mandatory documents to be presented in this order:
1. Short Stay Business Visa Checklist with the Declaration signed by the Applicant
2. One short stay application form legible and fully completed dated and signed by
the applicant, All applicants should mention their personal mobile or landline telephone
number on the visa application form. If the file is presented by a travel agent, it should
also state the telephone number of the relevant agent
3. Two colour passport size photographs showing the full face, forehead, hairline and
ears, on a white background. Please refer to photo specifications.
4. Waiver Declaration Form signed by the applicant in case the file is submitted to the
Consulate with less than 15 working days for the processing of the file.
5. Visa Insurance Undertaking form signed by the applicant
6. Original passport, issued less than ten years ago and valid for at least three months
after the intended return date to India from the Schengen zone. It must have a minimum
of two blank pages (face to face). A photocopy of the front and back pages with
applicant's address must be submitted. If applicable, copies of observation pages, plus
copies of valid and expired visas for all Schengen countries, the United Kingdom and
the United States of America, must also be shown.
7. Original covering letter, signed and dated by the applicant, explaining the purpose
of his/her trip to France and other Schengen countries if applicable
8. Original of an up-to-date letter from your employer in India mentioning your
annual salary, stating that that you are going to France on their behalf and for what
purpose, the name, address and contact number of the company to be visited, that
your employer takes full responsibility for all your expenses while in France and
guarantees your return to India, plus a photocopy of the company’s last three months
bank statements.
9. For self-employed people or businessmen going for a business visit to France, a
covering letter with the company's letterhead is required. Self-employed applicants
must submit proof of business i.e. firm's registration or partnership deed and the
company’s last three bank statements
10. An invitation letter in the applicant’s name from the private or public organisation
established in France, indicating the name of the contact person, telephone number
and e-mail address and the trip dates. If you are attending a conference in France,
please provide the name, location and a contact person plus a copy of the registration
documents and invitation
11. Copies of your last three months salary slips. Please underline the net monthly
amount
12. Copies of your last three months personal bank statements. Please underline
the latest entry date and amount
13. Copy of updated income tax papers of at least one year or form 16A
14. Copy of personal return air ticket to India with confirmed dates.
15. Since 16th June 2014, it is no longer compulsory for applicants to produce a hotel
reservation in France, providing they have proof of possessing at least the equivalent
in Indian Roupies, of 120 Euros, for each day of their stay in France. In this case, it is
sufficient to write on the visa application form, the exact name, full address, zip code
and city of the French hotel.
For other Schengen countries visited however, it is still compulsory to present the hotel
reservations, with full names, addresses, zip codes and cities.
If staying with family or friends: an original, plus a photocopy, of an "Attestation
d'Accueil" (Certificate of board and lodging) issued by the relevant French Town Hall,
and signed by the host in France, is required. Theoriginal of this document must be
stamped by the Consulate to be valid and should be presented at the port of entry in
France
16. Photocopy of an overseas medical insurance Policy, stating that you will be
covered for medical, hospitalization and repatriation expenses for a minimum amount
of 30,000 Euros during your stay in the Schengen zone. Please underline the validity
dates and coverage on the contract and make sure that you carry your original
insurance certificate when your arrive in France
Please be informed that the Overseas Medical Insurance must be bought from one of
the stated Indian Insurance Companies. For more information click here- http://www.vfsfrance.co.in/Kolkata_news.html
Please note that this is subject to change without prior notice.
Any other travel medical insurances issued by Indian insurance companies will not be
accepted. However, visa applicants may present insurances from another country
where claims against the insurance company would be recoverable in a Schengen
State. Consular Representations of Schengen States also approved specific travel
medical insurance policy schemes for corporate and group travels of individual travel
insurance companies on this list with 70 years of age as upper limit of appropriate
coverage.
Applicants with a Schengen visa for one or two entries must prove that they are in
possession of adequate valid travel medical insurance covering any expenses in
connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency
hospital treatment or death, during their entire stay(s) in the territory of the Schengen
States.
Applicants with a multiple entry visa (more than two entries), must prove that they are in
possession of adequate valid travel medical insurance covering the period of their first
intended visit. In addition, they must sign the statement in the visa application form,
declaring that they are aware of the need to be in possession of adequate travel
medical insurance for the entire subsequent stays in the Schengen States.
NOTE2
Visa applicants for a Schengen visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in
possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses
which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical
attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the
territory of the Schengen States. Visa applicants for a uniform visa for more than two
entries (multiple entries) shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid
travel medical insurance covering the period of their first intended visit. In addition, such
applicants shall sign the statement, set out in the application form, declaring that they
are aware of the need to be in possession of travel medical insurance for subsequent
stays. The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen States and
cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage
shall be EUR 30 000.
Applicants shall, in principle, take out insurance in their country of residence. Where this
is not possible, they shall seek to obtain insurance in any other country. When
assessing whether the insurance cover is adequate, consulates shall ascertain whether
claims against the insurance company would be recoverable in a Schengen State.
Important
The French Consulate General in Kolkata reserves the right to ask original air
tickets and insurance or any additional documents other than those listed above
The presentation of a complete visa file does not necessarily mean that the visa
will be granted
You may not apply more than 90 days in advance
Although the list of documents to be presented is the same as above, a
Schengen visa does not authorise you to enter a French overseas
department


or territory (DROM/CTOM) and vice-versa.
No visa will be issued on additional pages of passports
Children must travel with their own individual passports
On arrival in France, each applicant must be in a position to produce the
following documents to the Immigration Officer: the reason for his/her stay
(hotel reservation, original “Attestation d’accueil”), the means of living during
the stay in the Schengen zone (financial support), the guarantee of return to
India (pre-booked flight tickets) and a valid insurance covering medical,
hospitalization and repatriation expenses for at least 30,000 Euros
Facilitating visas:
In May 2012, in a major development, French authorities decided to ease considerably
the conditions for obtaining a work visa after studies completed in France. This
allowed a large number of students graduating from French business and engineering
schools to extend their stay for acquiring work experience in France.
Furthermore, Ambassador François Richier has decided to facilitate travel to France for
all Indian citizens who have studied in France. As of July 14th 2013, all Indian citizens
who have graduated
In parallel, the French Embassy in India has simplified visa procedures for Indian
students wishing to study in France. Special attention is given to students living far
from any French Consulate or “Campus France” office (governmental agency promoting
French higher education) to simplify and expedite the visa procedure. In parallel, visa
applications by Indian faculties and officials will be examined as a matter of priority.
Campus France will establish partnerships with various Indian higher education
institutions in order to accelerate the procedures for exchanges with French
institutions and for their alumni.