France to Start Receiving Visa Applications at Bangalore Consulate From 2026

Another French consulate will be available for Indians, the nation with the largest population in the world (1.4 billion as of 2024), starting in 2026.

Bangalore will be added to the list of consulates and visa application centres located in India, becoming the fifth visa application centre in the country, in addition to those located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Pondicherry and New Delhi, Schengen.News reports. 

The announcement was made by Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar after a meeting with the new French consul in Bangalore, Marc Lamy.

Although the French Consulate General in Bangalore was inaugurated in 2024, it did not issue visas – a plan that, according to officials, will be implemented within the next two years. 

France Is the 2nd Most Popular Destination for Indian Schengen Visa Applicants 
According to statistics published by SchengenVisaInfo, France is the second country with the highest number of Schengen visa applications from India for 2023. 

France received 176,237 visa applications from India during this period, which is 18.2 per cent of the total number of applications that were filed.

As per France, Indians were the fourth nationality to file most visa applications during this period. A total of 176,237 applications from India were submitted to French authorities, representing 6.7 per cent of the 2.6 million applications that France received in general. 

France Consulate in Mumbai Receives Most Applications 
As the data reveals, the French consulate in Mumbai has received 51,787 visa applications from applicants from India and other countries that are located in this country. 

The second consulate of France that receives applications the most from India includes Bangalore (51,787 applications), followed by New Delhi (36,754). Moreover, Chennai received 25,120 applications, while Kolkada received 10,133 visa requests. 

Local media reports that France’s diplomatic network in India includes an embassy in New Delhi and four Consulates General. The consulate located in Mumbai processes visa applications for Maharashtra, Goa, and nearby states. 

In addition, applicants from eastern and northeastern regions file their applications in Kolkata, while Pondicherry caters to Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The consulate in New Delhi handles applications for northern states.

Source: https://schengen.news/france-to-start-receiving-visa-applications-at-bangalore-consulate-from-2026/