Study In France: Five-year visa, French language training introduced for Indian students

NEW DELHI: In an effort to enhance Indo-French relations, France announced several new initiatives for Indian students and alumni including a five-year visa, specialised programmes to learn French language, and a Choose France Tour 2023 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris last month.

France president Emmanuel Macron also announced the country’s goal to welcome 30,000 Indian students by the year 2030. In an official statement, the Embassy of France in India said that the goal aims to build up academic excellence, and enhance the ties between the two countries. Last year, the president said that the number of Indian students is 4 lakh and he hopes to see 20,000 more students by 2025.

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Calling them “international classes”, the embassy said that France will introduce specialised programmes wherein Indian students will get training in French language and other disciplines to help them excel in their studies and adapt to the French education system.

A five-year Schengen circulation visa is also on the list which will be provided to Indian students who have studied for at least a semester in France and hold a master’s degree from a recognized university in India, France or any other country. PM Modi informed students about the extension of period from two years to five years during his France visit last month.

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“In order to implement these initiatives, France has also decided to strengthen its Campus France network in India with additional staff and resources,” the embassy added.

Talking about the Choose France tour, the embassy informed that an education fair will be held by the French Institute in India in the month of October. The tour will be held in four cities of India including Chennai (October 8), Calcutta (October 11), Delhi (October 13), and Mumbai (October 15). During the education fair, students and their parents will get the opportunity to interact with the representatives of over 40 French higher education institutions.