Visa

France 5-Year Schengen Visa for Indian Alumni: Eligibility and How to Apply

Pratik Jain7 min readLast updated 25 October 2026

Listen to this article

Full read-aloud (7 min read) • Text highlights as it speaks

France 5-Year Schengen Visa for Indian Alumni: Eligibility and How to Apply

Last Updated: October 25, 2026

QUICK ANSWER: Who gets France's 5-year Schengen visa for Indian alumni? Indian citizens with a Master's degree or higher, from any country and any year, who studied at least one semester in France on a long-stay student visa. It is a multiple-entry short-stay (type C) visa valid for up to 5 years, for visits of up to 90 days in any 180. It does not allow you to work or look for a job in France.

France offers Indian alumni of its higher education institutions a long-validity Schengen visa, so they can return for visits, conferences and business trips without applying every time. It is useful, but it is often misunderstood as a work visa. This guide explains exactly what it is, who qualifies, how to apply and what it does not do.

What is the 5-year alumni visa?

Feature	Detail
Type	Short-stay Schengen visa (type C), multiple entry
Validity	Up to 5 years
Stay allowed	Up to 90 days in any 180-day period, across the Schengen area
Purpose	Tourism, family visits, business trips, conferences
Work	Not allowed. Campus France says it does not let you work or look for a job in France
Family	Not included. Family members apply for their own visas
Visa fee	The standard Schengen visa fee (€90 for adults), plus the VFS Global service charge

Important

This is a visitor visa, not a residence or work permit. To work in France or any other Schengen country, you need the right work or residence permit from that country.

Want an honest read on your study-abroad plan?

Book a free 30-minute session with Pratik. Know your profile score, program fit, and 90-day roadmap.

Book my free evaluation →Ask on WhatsApp

✓Since 2012 · Led by Pratik since 2016

✓Free next intake if an agreed shortlist gets zero offers (terms apply)

✓Direct access to Pratik, same strategist from day one to your visa, no juniors

Who qualifies?

Requirement	Detail
Nationality	Indian citizen
Degree	A Master's degree or higher, obtained in any country
Time in France	At least one semester of study in France on a long-stay student visa
When you studied	Any year
Travel history	A clean record, with no overstays or other Schengen visa violations

Check the current conditions with Campus France India and France-Visas before you apply. A visa is never automatic: the consulate still decides on each application.

How do I apply?

Check eligibility on Campus France India and France-Visas.
Fill in the application on France-Visas, choosing a short-stay visa.
Prepare your documents (see below).
Book an appointment at a VFS Global France centre in India.
Give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at the appointment.
Wait for the decision, then collect your passport from VFS.

Processing times vary by season. Apply well before your trip, and avoid the summer peak if you can.

Which documents do I need?

Document	Notes
Passport	Valid for at least 3 months after your planned return, with blank pages. Older passports with previous visas help show your travel history
Application form and photo	From France-Visas
Proof of your French study	Your degree or transcript and your previous French long-stay student visa
Proof of your Master's degree	If it was not from France
Travel details	Flight reservation and accommodation for your first trip
Proof of funds	Recent bank statements, and salary slips or income tax returns
Travel medical insurance	Valid in the Schengen area, with at least €30,000 cover
Cover letter	The purpose of your first trip and why you need a multiple-entry visa

What can and can't I do with it?

Can do	Cannot do
Visit France and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180	Work in France or another Schengen country
Attend conferences, meetings and alumni events	Look for a job in France on this visa
Visit family and friends, or travel as a tourist	Stay longer than 90 days in any 180
Make repeated trips without a new visa each time	Study for longer than a short course

📄

Free Guide: SOP Skeleton & 10 Critical Errors

Download our free 1-page PDF SOP framework we use with our students.

What are the real routes to working in France?

If your goal is to work in France after a French degree, the alumni visa is not the route. Look at these instead:

Route	Who it is for
Post-study residence permit for Indian graduates	Indian students who complete a Master's in France can apply to stay on to look for work or start a business. Check the current duration with Campus France and your prefecture before you graduate
Employment-based residence permit	Graduates who get a job offer in France
Passeport Talent (Talent Passport)	Qualified employees, researchers, founders and other categories, each with its own conditions

Check the conditions for each on the official France-Visas and Welcome to France sites.

How does it compare with the French student visa?

	Student visa (VLS-TS)	5-year alumni visa
Purpose	Studying in France	Short visits after your studies
Validity	Usually the length of your programme year, renewable	Up to 5 years
Stay	Live in France	Up to 90 days in any 180
Work	Up to 964 hours a year alongside studies	None

Is studying in France worth it for Indian students?

The alumni visa is a small bonus, not a reason on its own to choose France. Weigh the main factors:

Factor	What to know
Tuition	Public universities charge non-EU students state-set fees, and some universities charge less. Grandes Écoles and private schools charge more. Check each programme
Language	Many Master's programmes are taught in English, but daily life and many jobs need French. Aim for at least B1 before you leave, and B2 for most jobs
Living costs	Paris is much more expensive than cities like Lyon, Toulouse or Grenoble
Jobs	Strong in aerospace, engineering, luxury, consulting and research. French language helps a lot

Thinking about France?

Start French with RES: ₹10,000 for a 45-day batch, or ₹16,000 one to one.

View French Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the France 5-year Schengen visa?

Indian citizens with a Master's degree or higher, from any country and any year, who studied at least one semester in France on a long-stay student visa.

Can I work in France with the 5-year alumni visa?

No. It is a short-stay visa. Campus France says it does not allow you to work or look for a job in France. You need a work or residence permit to work.

Can I travel to other Schengen countries with it?

Yes, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, as with any short-stay Schengen visa.

Is the 5-year visa automatic for alumni?

No. You must apply, and the consulate decides each application. A clean travel record and a complete file help.

Can my spouse come with me on this visa?

No. The visa is personal. Your spouse needs their own visa, and their rights depend on that visa, not on yours.

Does the 5-year visa help me stay in France after my Master's?

No. To stay and look for work after a French Master's, apply for the post-study residence permit before your student permit expires.

Sources

Related guides

Pratik Jain

Study Abroad Strategist

Reknown Edu Services® has guided students abroad from Bengaluru since 2012. Every plan is personally reviewed by Pratik.

🎯 Guiding Students Since 2012•🎓 Strategy-First Approach

Get an honest read on your profile (free)

Book a 30-minute session with Pratik. Know your profile score, program fit, and next 90 days.