France is set to expand its visa services in India by opening a visa processing centre at its consulate in Bangalore by 2026. This move aims to accommodate the growing demand for Schengen visas among Indian travellers.
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, announced this after discussing with the new French Consul in Bangalore, Marc Lamy.
Once operational, the Bangalore consulate will join the existing French visa processing centres in Mumbai, Kolkata, Pondicherry, and New Delhi, strengthening France’s diplomatic presence in India.
France’s Growing Popularity Among Indian Travellers
France remains one of the top destinations for Indian travellers applying for Schengen visas. According to reports, India ranked as the fourth-highest nationality in terms of visa applications to France in 2023.
A total of 176,237 applications were submitted by Indian nationals, accounting for 18.2% of all Schengen visa requests from India. Overall, this represented 6.7% of the 2.6 million visa applications France received that year.
Mumbai Consulate Leads in Visa Applications
Among France’s visa processing centres in India, the consulate in Mumbai received the highest number of applications, handling 51,787 visa requests. The ranking of French visa processing centres in India based on application volume is as follows:
| Consulate | Visa Applications (2023) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 51,787 |
| Bangalore | 51,787 |
| New Delhi | 36,754 |
| Chennai | 25,120 |
| Kolkata | 10,133 |
Also Read: France Proposes Stricter Schengen Visa Rules Amid Irregular Migration
France’s Expanding Diplomatic Network in India
France currently operates an embassy in New Delhi along with four Consulates General in Mumbai, Kolkata, Pondicherry, and New Delhi. Each centre serves different regions:
- Mumbai processes applications from Maharashtra, Goa, and nearby states.
- Kolkata caters to applicants from eastern and northeastern India.
- Pondicherry handles applications from Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
- New Delhi manages visa applications from northern states.
With Bangalore set to become the fifth visa centre, France aims to streamline visa processing for travellers from Karnataka and southern India, enhancing accessibility and efficiency.
New Italy Visa Application Centre
Recently, the Consulate General of Italy, in partnership with VFS Global, launched a dedicated visa application centre in Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru. This new facility aims to streamline services for Indian travellers, offering faster processing and specialized visa assistance to meet the growing demand for travel to Italy.
Conclusion
France’s decision to expand its visa services in Bangalore reflects its commitment to strengthening ties with India and accommodating the rising demand for travel to Europe.
The upcoming visa processing centre will provide Indian travellers with greater convenience and faster application processing, further reinforcing France’s position as a top Schengen destination for Indian visitors.
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