France’s New Year gift to India

It’s time to pack your bags. Starting January 1, the Embassy of France has changed its visa application procedure. Now Indians travelling to France can receive their visas from the embassy/consulate within 48 hours of applying. What’s more, the French government opened eight more visa application centres in India on December 1 in Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad and Jaipur. Visas will be delivered within 72 hours here. Also, to aid Indian travellers in France, the French embassy launched the ‘Chalo India’ app early in December. The app will provide useful information on places to eat and stay as well as popular tourist destinations. Chalo France, we say.