France has given great news to Indian students. Indian students who have spent even just one semester in France will now be eligible for a five-year short-term Schengen visa, the European country announced on Tuesday. France said it aims to welcome 30,000 students from India by 2030 to promote academic excellence, promote cultural ties and foster long-term friendship between the two countries.

PM Modi came on a visit to France last month, during which he announced that students who are pursuing master's degree will now be given a five-year-long post-study visa and also said that the last time I came to France So it was decided that the students studying here should be given work visa for two years after their studies. Now, it has been decided that students who are pursuing a master's degree in France will be given a five-year long-term work visa after their studies.

Giving details of the programme, the French Embassy said Indian students who have a master's degree or above and have spent at least one semester studying in France are eligible for a five-year short-term Schengen visa. This is a special provision for Indian alumni that enables them to maintain close ties with France and their French counterparts, the statement said.

French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said that our teams are doubling down to implement the decisions taken by President Macron and Prime Minister Modi in Paris for the benefit of the students. He said that France has always been an inclusive and diverse country, which is keen to share its rich cultural heritage and world-class education opportunities with Indian students. Having said that, my message to Indian students is that France will always be your friend, and we will do everything possible to ensure that you have a wonderful educational and living experience in our country.

The French Embassy and the French Institute have announced the upcoming 'Choose France Tour 2023'. Organized by the French government and Campus France, the education fair will be held in four major Indian cities, Chennai (October 8), Calcutta (October 11), Delhi (October 13) and Mumbai (October 15). It will provide an excellent opportunity for Indian students and their parents to interact with representatives of over 40 French higher education institutions present at the fair and explore a wide range of study options.

With 570 French companies in India employing over 400,000 employees, graduates with French qualifications have access to a wide range of career prospects, and a chance to work with globally renowned organisations, the statement said.