Living in India as a French National: Cities, Visa, Registration, Schooling, Cost of Living and Practical Advice

India offers a French national a professional and cultural experience of great richness. The metropolises concentrate companies, schools and services; the diversity of regions, cuisines and traditions gives each city its own identity. French nationals benefit from a dense consular network: the French embassy is in New Delhi, four consulates general are based in Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata and Pondicherry, and the La France en Inde site presents all the services (civil registry, consular register, social assistance, support for families).

The everyday language depends on the region: Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu or Marathi dominate depending on the state. English serves as the common language in business and in many administrative exchanges, which makes settling in easier for French speakers. Points of caution are best prepared before departure: France Diplomatie reports severe air pollution in several large cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta), health risks specific to tropical countries, dense road traffic and monsoon weather. The guide to the Indian healthcare system details these risks, and the India country guide summarises the insurance obligations.

The choice of city determines the consulate you come under, the schools on offer, the climate and the budget. The consulates general publish their area of jurisdiction on the La France en Inde site.

• Delhi: federal capital and seat of the embassy, home to the international French lycée of Delhi, a school under agreement in the AEFE network. Central government departments, international organisations and many companies are concentrated there.
• Mumbai: economic and financial capital. The consulate general covers Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and several Union territories; the international French lycée of Mumbai welcomes families.
• Pune: city in Maharashtra, attached to the consulate general in Mumbai.
• Bangalore: capital of Karnataka. The consulate general covers Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, with an office in Hyderabad.
• Hyderabad: capital of Telangana, served by the office of the Bangalore consulate.
• Chennai: capital of Tamil Nadu, with a French office attached to the consulate general in Pondicherry and the international French lycée of Chennai, a partner school of the AEFE.
• Pondicherry: former French trading post, now Indian territory, which keeps a lively Franco-Indian community and French-speaking heritage. The consulate general of France covers Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, with an office in Chennai. The international French lycée of Pondicherry is run directly by the AEFE.
• Goa: coastal territory attached to the consulate general in Mumbai for consular procedures.

The cost of living in India depends on the city, the district, the type of housing and the lifestyle: a budget is built from real quotes (rent, school, health insurance, transport) rather than from a national average. The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Large amounts are read in lakhs (1 lakh equals 100,000 rupees), a common unit in job offers and administrative documents.

For housing, expats most often rent an apartment or a house; the lease must state the exact address, because the FRRO registration form asks for the residential address in India. Prices, lease terms, security deposits and agency fees vary from one city to another: it is better to compare several offers on site and to visit before committing. The health item should be budgeted from the start; the guide to budgeting for health abroad offers a method.

French citizens need a visa to stay in India (France Diplomatie). The choice depends on the plan.

• E-visa: online application for a short stay; the 30-day tourist e-visa cannot be extended or converted into another visa. Since 1 October 2025, an e-Arrival Card is completed online before arrival (France Diplomatie).
• Employment visa: for an employee hired by an Indian company (details on the page working in India).
• Family visa and OCI card: the spouse and children of a long-stay visa holder apply for a suitable visa at the Indian consulate or embassy; holders of an OCI card (spouses of Indian citizens, people of Indian origin) are exempt from FRRO registration.

Registration with the foreigners’ office (FRRO or FRO) is done within 14 days of arrival for a student, employment, medical or missionary visa valid for more than 180 days; for any other visa, it is required when the cumulative stay over the calendar year or the continuous stay exceeds 180 days. Children under 12 are exempt (Bureau of Immigration).

Two numbers make daily life easier. Aadhaar, the identity number, is open to a foreigner holding a long-stay visa or an OCI card who has resided 182 days or more in the twelve months before applying (UIDAI). The PAN (permanent account number) is the tax number; a foreigner applies for it with the form reserved for non-citizens, together with their passport (Indian tax administration). The checklist for the first 90 days helps you put these formalities in order.

The Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) lists four schools in India: the international French lycée of Delhi and the one in Mumbai (schools under agreement with the French ministry), the one in Chennai (a partner school) and the one in Pondicherry (run directly by the AEFE). These schools follow the French curriculum, which ensures continuity of schooling in case of a return. Enrolment is made with each school, which sets its own calendar, available places and school fees: it is wise to start several months before arrival.

Families settling in a city without a French lycée can ask the competent consulate general about distance-learning solutions or local international schools. For children’s cover, see the guide to children’s health cover abroad and the page on expat family insurance.

The Safety page of France Diplomatie is the reference: it is updated as events unfold and specifies the areas formally advised against, the regions subject to special permits (some north-eastern states and border areas), the risks of theft on public transport and behavioural recommendations. It is advisable to read it again before each trip outside your city of residence. Road risk is flagged as high: caution is needed when travelling by car, on two wheels or at night.

The climate also needs preparing for: France Diplomatie mentions monsoon floods and cyclones depending on the season, heat and pollution peaks, with an N95-type mask recommended during the most intense episodes. A few legal rules are worth knowing from arrival: importing, possessing and using satellite communication devices without official authorisation is prohibited (up to three years in prison and a fine of 20 million rupees), e-cigarettes are banned and the penalties for narcotics are heavy. Modest dress is recommended in places of worship.

Three steps open the way to a serene stay: registering on the register of French nationals living abroad with your consulate, checking the visa and registration documents, and putting health cover in place before arrival. The French state does not pay for medical costs or medical repatriation abroad (France Diplomatie). Health cover is therefore chosen according to your status: voluntary membership of the CFE (the French social security fund for expatriates), international insurance or the employer’s group contract. The details are given on the page healthcare reimbursement in India, and Expavy helps you weigh these options against your situation.