PARIS/NEW DELHI — France aims to welcome 30,000 Indian students annually by 2030, President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated, underscoring education as a pillar of deepening ties between Paris and New Delhi.
The target, first announced in 2023, would triple the current number of Indian students in France, which stands at roughly 10,000, according to French government figures.
French authorities say they are simplifying visa procedures, expanding English-language master’s programmes and strengthening academic partnerships to make the country more accessible to Indian applicants.
France’s public universities remain comparatively affordable, with tuition fees often lower than in major English-speaking destinations, while scholarship schemes and institutional partnerships are being expanded.
Graduates of master’s programmes can apply for a temporary residence permit — known as the Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour — allowing them to remain in France to seek employment or launch a business.
Officials say the initiative reflects broader cooperation between the two countries in research, innovation and student mobility, as France positions itself as an alternative destination amid shifting global education trends.
Prospective applicants are advised to apply through official channels, including Campus France, which oversees international student recruitment and admissions guidance.
The education drive forms part of a wider strategic partnership between the two countries, spanning defence, climate and technology cooperation.