France eases visa processes for Indian visitors

To open France even wider to Indian tourists, the French government has decided to drastically ease visa procedures for Indian visitors. This facilitation is not only restricted to visa processing but also providing innovative information services especially developed for Indian nationals visiting France. Tourist and business visas for Indians visiting France will now be delivered by the French consulates within 48 hours (two working days). During his visit to India in July 2014, Laurent Fabius, French Minister for foreign affairs had announced this measure to be implemented as of 1 January 2015. A text message will be sent automatically to the applicant should there be an extension of deadline due to missing documents or inaccuracies in the visa application. François Richier, Ambassador of France to India declared that these new measures reiterate France’s commitment to strengthening the connectivity between France and India even further at all levels. Removing barriers and hurdles is the country’s core objective. These new measures have been announced during a special event around the uncorking of Beaujolais Nouveau at the French Ambassador’s residence. The number of visas delivered by French consulates in India has jumped by 33 per cent in 2014 compared to 2013, with a total of 80,000 visas delivered from January to October – they expect to reach 90,000 visas delivered in 2014. Furthermore, Richier has decided to open eight new France Visa Application Centres (VFS) throughout India from 1 December 2014 in addition to the six already existing centres. The new centres will be located in Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad and Jaipur. This extended network will enable French authorities to gain proximity to Indian applicants and to cater effectively to the increasing number of tourists wanting to visit France. Visas will be delivered within 72 hours in these new centres, to take into account the necessary transportation of visa applications to the French consulates. http://traveltrendstoday.in/news/2014/11/28/france-eases-visa-processes-for-indian-visitors