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Prospective students should still plan carefully
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Living costs in France typically range from €800 to €1,200 per month, and university applications generally open around nine months before courses begin
France has announced sweeping measures to make it easier for Indian students to study in the country, with President Emmanuel Macron pledging to simplify visa rules and expand English-taught courses.
Speaking during his visit to New Delhi from 17 to 19 February, Macron said France aims to increase the number of Indian students from around 10,000 a year to 30,000 annually by 2030. The announcement came as France and India elevated their ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Addressing students and academics at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Macron said France would streamline documentation, reduce visa appointment waiting times and introduce a fast-track process for graduates of recognised Indian institutions
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An inter-ministerial task force will publish detailed guidelines in April
France will also expand English-medium programmes to make its universities more accessible to Indian applicants who may be concerned about language barriers. Leading institutions such as Sorbonne University and École Polytechnique have already committed to adding more than 500 English-taught seats in fields including engineering and artificial intelligence by 2027.
The two countries also launched the India–France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai, focusing on artificial intelligence, healthcare and research collaboration. A new research partnership on AI in healthcare is expected to involve Paris Brain Institute alongside Indian institutions.
In a further boost to mobility, France will introduce a six-month pilot scheme allowing visa-free airport transit for Indian nationals. While separate from student visas, the move signals France’s wider effort to ease travel for Indian citizens.
