France visa: Indian travellers must book slots online first
Planning a visit to France? Travellers must note that the French government has officially transitioned to a mandatory online visa appointment system for all foreign nationals. The new protocol requires applicants to request and confirm visa slots through official digital channels before visiting a consulate or visa application centre , according to the French government. This digital-first approach applies to both short-stay Schengen visas and long-stay national visas. Informal booking methods and walk-in appointments have been permanently discontinued to improve security, transparency and administrative efficiency. The French embassy, in its official portal, said: “For short-stay visas, if you hold an Indian passport and are born in India, you must submit your application a minimum of 5 days prior to your scheduled departure. For long-stay visas, you must submit your application 1 month prior to your scheduled departure. You cannot submit an a...