Finance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Indian students seeking a Master’s degree in France will henceforth be granted a five-year long-term post-study visa.
Modi made the statement during his talk to the Indian community at LA Seine Musicale in Paris on Thursday, while on an official visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.
“The last time I came to France, it was decided that Indian students studying in France would be given a two-year post-study work visa. Now, it has been decided that Indian students pursuing Masters in France will be given a long-term post-study visa of five years,” he said.
During his speech, the Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of the Indian community in France, which serves as a solid basis for the India-France friendship.
Approximately 65,000 Indian immigrants now reside in France.
According to French embassy figures, approximately 2.7 million students enroll in French higher education, with 14 percent of them being foreign students.
France is especially well-known for its management programs, which recruit more than 70% of Indian students.
According to the most recent official data acquired post-Covid, there were approximately 6,000 Indian students in France during the school year 2021-2022.
According to Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, France aims to welcome 20,000 Indian students by 2025.
While calling the plan “very ambitious”, Colonna said: “We want 20,000 Indian students in France by 2025. We’re starting from something close to 5,000. It is very ambitious but, between India and France, the sky’s the limit.”
Source:IANS
