France welcomes Indian students with a 5-year Schengen visa

France has taken a number of steps to attract and welcome Indian students by offering a new 5-year Schengen visa for Master's degree holders. This initiative will enable Indian students who have graduated in France to benefit from an extended visa and apply for a 5-year multi-entry Schengen visa.

This decision is part of France's drive to position itself as a preferred destination for international students, and echoes the announcement by the French President Emmanuel Macron to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030.

In addition, new consulates have been set up in Marseille and Hyderabad to extend consular services and encourage exchanges between the populations of the two countries. This new visa is therefore an important step in the partnership between the two countries, with France determined to attract Indian students and deepen their bilateral cooperation.

30,000 Indian students in France in 2030.

It's a very ambitious target, but I am determined to make it happen.

Here's how: pic.twitter.com/QDpOl4ujWb

- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 26, 2024

Measures put in place by France to welcome Indian students

• Target of 20,000 Indian students by 2025: Students will benefit from training in the French language as well as in other academic disciplines.
• Development of exchanges between young French and Indian people : The two countries announced their intention to promote exchanges, particularly for young people.
• Creation of "international classes": In order to welcome a greater number of Indian students over the next 7 years, France will be setting up these classes offering instruction in French and other university subjects.
• Setting up an alumni network in India: France will issue five-year Schengen visas to Indian nationals who have studied in the country for at least one semester and obtained a Master's degree from a recognized university.

Cooperation on the mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications

France and India are committed to working together on initiatives aimed at encouraging mutual recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications. The aim is to facilitate the mobility of skilled workers between the two countries. However, during this visit, several NGOs, such as Human Rights Watchdenounced the deteriorating human rights situation in India.

• France

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