Here is a non-exhaustive checklist for the French Dependent Visa application. The documents listed here are based on the VFS checklist and also the various experiences shared by the expat community.
List of Visas concerned
The article is relevant for the following visa categories.
- Talent Passport – Family, Article L. 421-22 du CESEDA
- Intra-company transfer – Family (Salarié détaché ICT – Famille), Article L. 421-28 du CESEDA
- Intra-company transfer – Family (Salarié détaché mobile ICT- Famille), Article L. 421-29 du CESEDA
Dependant Visa Checklist
Here’s a detailed checklist of documents required for the Schengen tourist visa application. Do not staple any documents. Use paper clips, if required.
Documents from the Host spouse living in France:
- Passport (copies of the front and last pages)
- Copy of Carte de Sejour Passeport Talent or Attestation de décision favorable
- French bank statements from the last 3 months.
- French salary slips from the last 3 months.
- French tax returns “Avis d’impots” from the last 2 years.
- French work contract or convention d’accueil (if researcher)
- French accommodation proof.
- Rental contract
- Rental receipts from the last 3 months
- A utility bill from your wifi/landline, gas, and electricity provider (last 3 months).
- Cover letter, stating that the host will cover all the expenses of the dependant spouse.
Documents from the Dependant spouse living outside France:
- Valid Passport (Original along with copies of the front and last pages)
- Issued within the last 10 years and at least 2 empty pages.
- Handwritten passports and passports with observations regarding the front page (bio data) are not accepted.
- Two passport-size photographs,
- White background, not older than 6 months (size 35 – 40 mm in width, not copied or scanned picture).
- 1st photo pasted on the application
- 2nd photo must be clipped on the last page of the passport
- Stapled or pinned pictures are not accepted.
- For more details, please refer to the photo guidelines
- Long-Stay Visa Application Form
- Completed and signed by the applicant.
- If the applicant is minor: the visa application should be signed by the legal guardian and if applicable, authorization of a third person. (Proving the custody of a minor child, divorce papers, death certificate, etc.).
- Old passports, if any must be bound together with rubber bands and not stapled.
- Cover Letter from spouse mentioning what he/she did in India and what he/she will do in France.
- Schengen Travel-cum-medical Insurance for 90 days.
- Minimum coverage of 30,000 euros per person.
- Coverage of all expenses that might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment.
- The insurance will help until a social security number is obtained in France.
Additional Information
- Please ensure you have the originals of documents and photocopies of each during the VFS appointment.
- The Embassy or the Consulate might ask for additional documents.
- If you have any questions, you can contact VFS, the nearest French Embassy or Consulate. Here are the Contact details of French Embassy and Consulates in India.
- Make 3 sets of photocopies, 1 for the visa, and another 2 for your spouse when she/he comes to France.
- The process takes approximately 2-4 weeks, after applying at VFS.
Sources & References
- The Schengen area explained consilium.europa.eu
- Visa application guidelines france-visas.gouv.fr
- VFS Global vfsglobal.com/en
- Liste des documents à fournir à l’appui d’une demande de carte de séjour pluriannuelle « Famille accompagnante » welcometofrance.com
- Fact sheet: “Accompanying family” simplified procedure welcometofrance.com