From India to France & Back: What Expats Must Know After Arrival

Moving to France or visiting India is more than just a plane ticket and packed suitcases—it’s about knowing the systems, completing essential formalities, and avoiding administrative headaches. At L’Association Frehindi, we’ve helped hundreds of Indian and South Asian expats adapt to life in France and the EU. Here’s your bilingual, comparative survival guide, rooted in real-life scenarios from our community.

🇫🇷 Part 1: Key Steps for Indians Arriving in France

📍Meet Anita from Pune

Anita, a 27-year-old Master’s student, landed in Lyon for her studies. Within a week, she found herself confused between CVEC, CAF, SSN, and opening a bank account. She wished she had a checklist. Now she does.

1. Public Transport

France offers an excellent public transport system—metros, buses, trams, even ferries.

✅ Tips:

• Buy individual tickets initially.

• Subscribe to discounted monthly passes (e.g., Imagine R for students in Île-de-France).

• Use apps like CityMapper for real-time routes.

“In India, I used auto-rickshaws and Uber. Here, I had to understand how metro zones worked!” – Anita

2. Accommodation

If you’re arriving without pre-arranged housing:

🏠 Options:

• Student housing platforms (e.g., CROUS)

• Direct landlord listings (PAP, Leboncoin)

• Rental agencies (Seloger, Foncia)

• Shared accommodation (La Carte des Colocs, Roomlala)

🏠 Don’t forget:
Housing insurance (“assurance habitation”) is mandatory.

Useful providers:

• AXA

• MAAF

• StudyAssur

• SMENO

3. Electricity & Gas

If utilities are not included in rent, set up an account with:

• EDF

• Engie

• TotalEnergies

• Compare rates via:UFC Que Choisir

4. CVEC & University Registration

All students must pay the €103 CVEC fee before registration.
Pay online at: https://cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr/

5. Resident Permit Formalities

Visa types:

• VLS-TS: Must be validated online within 3 months.

• VLS: Requires applying for a resident permit within 2 months.

• VLS-T: No renewal, exit required before expiry.

Read more: Visa Validation & Residency Rules in France

6. Bank Account

Essential for:

• Rent payments

• Insurance

• CAF benefits

• CPF (training credits)

Tip: Avoid using your Indian Forex card after account setup.

7. SIM Card

Buy from:

• Telecom stores at airports or malls (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free)

• Online providers

Read: Best Mobile Plans in France

8. Social Security Number (SSN)

Grants access to French healthcare and social services (CAF, Pole Emploi, etc.).

🎯 To Apply:

• Ameli.fr

• Documents needed: Passport, visa, address proof, birth certificate (translated).

📌 Exception: Visitors with VLS-TS visas must wait 3 months to apply.

9. CAF: Housing Assistance

Apply for APL (housing subsidy):

• Online at: https://www.caf.fr/

• Estimate your eligibility using their simulator.

🇮🇳 Part 2: Important Steps for French/EU Citizens Visiting or Moving to India

📍Meet Julien from Paris

Julien accepted a job in Bengaluru. His excitement faded fast when his French SIM stopped working, bank cards got blocked, and he didn’t understand Aadhaar or PAN.

1. Indian SIM & Mobile

• Buy a SIM (Jio, Airtel, VI) with passport and visa.

• Register your SIM with local address proof.

• Beware of frequent verification calls/SMS.

2. PAN Card

A PAN card is needed for:

• Opening a bank account

• Receiving salary

• Paying taxes
  Apply via: NSDL PAN Services

3. Aadhaar Card

Aadhaar is India’s biometric ID but not mandatory for foreigners. However, some utility services or banking may ask for it unofficially.

Tip: Use your passport and visa as the primary ID.

4. Banking in India

• Open a local savings account (ICICI, SBI, HDFC).

• Foreigners must submit FRRO letter, visa copy, passport.

• Use UPI for cashless payments via apps like PhonePe, PayTM, or Google Pay.

5. Health Insurance

Healthcare in India can be expensive in private hospitals.
Consider:

• Star Health

• ICICI Lombard

• Religare
  Or use international insurance if your employer provides it.

6. FRRO Registration

All foreigners staying in India for more than 180 days must register with the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) within 14 days.

Online Portal: https://indianfrro.gov.in/

7. Public Transport

• Major cities have metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore).

• Use Ola, Uber, Rapido for daily commutes.

• Intercity travel via IRCTC trains or domestic airlines.

🧳 Challenges & Real Stories

Case 1: Visa Confusion in France

Vikram, a data analyst from Delhi, thought he had to apply for a permit in France. Turns out his VLS-T visa didn’t allow it. He booked a non-refundable French course—only to be told he couldn’t legally extend his stay.

✅ Frehindi helped him understand visa types and guided his re-application from India.

Case 2: Address Proof Woes

Shweta, a student in Marseille, was refused a SIM card because she had no justificatif de domicile (address proof). She contacted Frehindi, and we helped her draft a proper attestation from her hostel.

🌐 How L’Association Frehindi Supports You

We assist Indian and South Asian expats by:

• Demystifying French administrative procedures

• Providing bilingual guidance (Hindi, English, French)

• Assisting with CPF, CAF, SSN, visa validation

• Connecting with French institutions

• Resolving complex bureaucratic problems

All under the patronage of:
🇮🇳 Indian Embassy in Paris
🇪🇺 Indian Embassies across the EU

✅ Summary Table: France vs India

🌟 Final Thought: From Confusion to Confidence—Together

Whether you’re stepping into France like Anita, navigating student life and metro maps, or starting a new chapter in India like Julien, figuring out Aadhaar, SIM cards, or FRRO—you don’t have to do it alone.

The systems in France and India are very different, but the challenges are common: paperwork, cultural gaps, and the overwhelming feeling of being in a new country. That’s where L’Association Frehindi steps in.

We simplify the complex, guide you through every formality, and support you in your language—be it Hindi, English, or French.

✅ Need help understanding your visa?

✅ Confused about CAF, CPF, or FRRO?

✅ Struggling with bank paperwork or health insurance?

We’re just a message away.

🤝 With the Patronage of the Indian Embassy in Paris and Indian Embassies across the EU, our mission is to empower every Indian and South Asian expat in Europe with clarity, support, and community.