Question 1

Do French citizens need a visa to travel to India?

Accepted Answer

Yes. French nationals require a valid visa to enter India regardless of travel purpose or length of stay. There is no visa-free arrangement between France and India. The most convenient option is the India e-Visa, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required. French OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders are exempt and may enter India without a separate visa.
Check your Indian visa eligibility as a French citizen.

Question 2

How long can French citizens stay in India on an Indian e-Tourist Visa?

Accepted Answer

30-day e-Tourist Visa: Maximum 30 days from date of first arrival. Double entry.
1-year e-Tourist Visa: Up to 90 days per visit, multiple entries, within the 1-year validity from ETA grant.
5-year e-Tourist Visa: Same 90-day per-visit limit, multiple entries. Total stay must not exceed 180 days per calendar year.

Question 3

What is the Indian e-Visa fee for French nationals?

Accepted Answer

The Indian e-Tourist Visa fee for French nationals is USD $25 for the 30-day option, USD $40 for the 1-year, and USD $80 for the 5-year. A bank transaction charge of approximately 2.5–3% applies additionally. IVC's service charge is $40. 
Fees must be paid at least 4 days before the intended date of arrival — applications submitted after this window will not be processed.

Question 4

How long does it take to get an Indian e-Visa from France?

Accepted Answer

IVC's standard processing time is 4–7 working days. Many complete, error-free applications are approved within 48–72 hours, though this is not guaranteed during peak periods. French nationals travelling to India between October and February — the most popular season for European visitors — should apply at least one week in advance. IVC's Priority Express option ($50 additional) prioritizes your application when timing is critical.

Question 5

What documents do French nationals need for an Indian e-Visa?

Accepted Answer

For the standard e-Tourist Visa, French nationals need a valid French passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of arrival and 2 blank pages, a recent passport-size photograph with white background, a scanned passport bio page, a return or onward flight ticket, and proof of accommodation in India. For an e-Business Visa, an invitation letter from the Indian host is required. For an e-Medical Visa, a letter from the treating hospital in India is needed.

Question 6

Can French citizens apply for an Indian e-Visa for a yoga retreat or short course in India?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Indian e-Tourist Visa explicitly covers short-term yoga programmes and short courses in local languages, music, dance, arts, cooking, and traditional medicine — provided the programme does not exceed 6 months and does not issue a formal qualifying certificate or diploma. Structured academic programmes or courses awarding degrees require a Student Visa, which must be applied for through the Indian Embassy in Paris or the Consulate General in Marseille.
Check for Indian Missions in France.

Question 7

Can French nationals extend their Indian e-Visa once inside India?

Accepted Answer

No. The Indian e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible once issued. French nationals who need additional time in India beyond their permitted stay must visit the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in person, well before their visa expires. Extension is not guaranteed and is granted only under exceptional circumstances. Choosing the right visa duration before applying is always the better approach.

Question 8

What happens if a French citizen overstays their Indian e-Visa?

Accepted Answer

Overstaying is a violation of the Foreigners Act, 1946, even by a single day. Penalties are:

Up to 90 days overstay: Fine of USD $300
91 days to 2 years: Fine of USD $400
More than 2 years: Fine of USD $500, potential legal proceedings, possible entry ban.
An FRRO exit permit may be required before leaving India, which can take weeks to process. Overstays are recorded and can affect future Indian visa applications.

Question 9

Is the Indian e-Visa valid at all entry points in India?

Accepted Answer

No. The Indian e-Visa is valid only at 29 designated airports and 5 seaports across India. Land border crossings are not permitted for e-Visa holders on first entry. On a multiple-entry e-Visa, re-entry via certain designated India-Nepal land crossings may be possible after the first entry has been made by air. Always verify entry point validity before planning overland travel into India.
View all authorised Indian e-Visa entry and exit ports

Question 10

What is the mandatory e-Arrival Card and does it apply to French nationals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As of April 1, 2026, the digital e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign visitors to India, including French nationals. It replaces the paper disembarkation form previously distributed on flights. French travellers must complete this via the e-Arrival Card portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app, within 72 hours before arrival. This is entirely separate from the Indian e-Visa and required on every trip.

Question 11

Can French citizens use the Indian e-Visa for business or medical travel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Indian e-Visa covers three travel purposes. The e-Business Visa is valid for one year with multiple entries, covering trade visits, meetings, and commercial activity. The e-Medical Visa allows triple entry over 60 days for those seeking treatment at recognised Indian hospitals or Ayurvedic centres. Note: as of April 2025, the e-Medical Visa application requires a Medical Visa Reference Number generated by the treating Indian hospital through the AYUSH portal.

Question 12

Can French nationals of Pakistani, Algerian, or Moroccan origin apply for an Indian e-Visa?

Accepted Answer

Partially. French nationals whose parents or grandparents — paternal or maternal — were born in or were permanent residents of Pakistan are not eligible for the Indian e-Visa, regardless of their current French passport. French nationals of Algerian or Moroccan origin are not subject to the same restriction and may apply for the Indian e-Visa normally. Those of Pakistani origin must apply for a regular visa through the Embassy of India in Paris.

Question 13

Can French children travel to India on a parent's Indian e-Visa?

Accepted Answer

No. Every traveller, regardless of age, requires their own individual Indian e-Visa. French children cannot be included on a parent's visa. If a child is travelling with only one parent or with a guardian, a notarised letter of consent from the absent parent is strongly recommended and may be requested by Indian immigration at the point of entry into India.

Question 14

What if a French national renews their passport after receiving an Indian e-Visa?

Accepted Answer

The Indian e-Visa is linked to the passport number submitted at the time of application. If you renew your French passport after receiving your e-Visa, you must travel with both passports — the new one you will travel on and the old one bearing the e-Visa ETA — to avoid issues at Indian immigration. IVC's pre-submission review specifically checks for passport-related issues before any French application is submitted.

Question 15

Is there a limit on how many times French citizens can apply for an Indian e-Visa per year?

Accepted Answer

For the 30-day e-Tourist Visa, French nationals may apply a maximum of twice per calendar year — meaning two separate 30-day trips to India within one year on this visa type. For the 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist Visas, there is no cap on the number of entries within the validity period, provided each continuous stay does not exceed 90 days and total time in India does not exceed 180 days per calendar year.

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