France has announced that the Indian students who have even spent just a semester in their country are now eligible for a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa.
On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris as Chief Guest of France’s National Day on July 14, France and India have raised people-to-people ties as one of the three pillars of strategic partnership, as enshrined in the Indo-French Roadmap 2047. In particular, France has announced major new initiatives to roll out the red carpet for Indian students and alumni:
France’s ambitious welcome target: President Emmanuel Macron announced France’s goal to welcome 30,000 students from India by 2030. This ambitious target signifies France’s conviction that welcoming more Indian students fosters academic excellence, cultural understanding, and long-lasting friendship between our two nations.
Creation of "International Classes" in France: These specialized programmes will provide comprehensive training in the French language and other academic disciplines, enabling Indian students to excel in their studies and adapt seamlessly to the French education system. This decision reflects France’s commitment to making life as easy as possible for Indian students.
5-Year Schengen circulation visa for Indian alumni: France believes that when an Indian student spends even just a semester in France, it creates a connection that ought to be fostered and cherished. That is why, Indian students who hold a Master’s degree or above and have spent at least a semester studying in France are eligible for a 5-year short-stay Schengen visa. This is a special provision for Indian alumni to enable them to keep close links with France and their French counterparts.
In order to be eligible, applicants must have studied in France for at least one semester, and must have reached Master’s degree level or above at a recognised university in India, France or a third country. They also need to submit a duly completed visa application fully compliant with the usual Schengen requirements.