Residence permits for families

Arrangements have been made to facilitate the relocation of the scientist's family to France for the duration of their long-term research stay (exceeding 90 days). Procedures may vary depending on the family members' nationality. The procedures for each case are outlined below.
 

FOR CHILDREN OF A SCIENTIST

 

Children who are nationals of a European country, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland

No formalities are required for children who are nationals of a European country, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.

Children who are nationals of a third country

 

Depending on their nationality, children who are nationals of a non-EU/EEA country may require a long-stay visa to enter France. When a visa is mandatory, the application must be submitted to the appropriate French consulate prior to departure. The visa application must be lodged with the French consulate nearest to your place of residence at least two months before you leave for France. This application may be submitted at the same time as your own visa application, if your nationality also requires one.

Regardless of their nationality, the minor children of scientists may stay in France freely without a residence permit. It is important to note that residence permits differ from visas, as they are always applied for within France. For any visa application (including for your child), you must contact the French consulate in your country of legal residence.

However, if your child has to travel abroad, you must request a Travel document for a minor foreign national (DCEM).

The DCEM facilitates a child's return to France after a trip abroad by allowing them—provided the applicable conditions are met—to avoid having to apply for a new entry visa. The document's validity period depends on the duration of the parents' stay; it is renewable until the child reaches the age of majority (18), provided the parents maintain legal status in France. A fee is payable upon issuance of the DCEM, in accordance with current regulations.

If one of the parents of the child is an EU/EEA/Swiss national, this document is free of charge.

You can now apply for the DCEM online on the dedicated website in the “je demande un document de voyage” (apply for a travel document) section.
Please go to the website of the Préfecture of your place of residence to find out which documents you need to provide and how to collect this document:
Prefecture du Rhône
Prefecture de La Loire

PLEASE NOTE: Processing times for the DCEM can be long. You should submit your application well in advance (at least 4 months before the planned trip), especially if you intend to travel during the year-end or summer holidays (i.e., no later than the end of March for a departure in late July).

The child and at least one parent must be present to collect the DCEM.

PLEASE NOTE: The DCEM must be accompanied by a valid travel document (passport) whenever your child travels outside France.
 

FOR SPOUSES OF A SCIENTIST


If the scientist holds a visa or residence permit marked "Talent-Researcher" (*Talent-chercheur*), their spouse may obtain a "Talent-Family" (*Talent-famille*) visa or residence permit, authorizing them to reside and work in France.

If the scientist does not fall under the "Talent-Researcher" status, their spouse's residence rights depend on their specific situation. Please contact us so we can review your case.

Note: Spouses who are Algerian nationals are subject to a specific bilateral agreement. They are issued a residence certificate marked "Scientist's spouse" (*conjoint de scientifique*) instead of the "Talent-Family" permit. The procedures for obtaining this annual certificate are specific; please consult our dedicated page.
 

 

Spouse from a European country
If your spouse is a national of Switzerland, a European Union country, or the EEA, they are free to reside and work in France without the need for any administrative formalities.

Family member of a scientist who is a national of the European Union, the EEA, or Switzerland

Visa application for the spouse
If your spouse is a national of a non-EU/EEA country and is not exempt from the requirement, a visa application must be submitted to the French consulate nearest your place of residence at least two months before your departure for France. This application may be submitted at the same time as your own visa application, if your nationality also requires one.

 

The spouse's residence permit
Within two months of arriving in France, the spouse of a scientist must follow the same procedure as their partner. Depending on the details specified on their visa, the spouse will need to obtain:
• either a visa validation;
• or a residence permit.
All of these formalities can now be completed online on the dedicated website.

 

Renewing your spouse's residence permit
Your spouse's residence permit is renewed online. The application must be submitted within the timeframe stipulated by regulations—generally between two and four months before the current permit expires.

It is recommended to apply in advance to ensure compliance with the submission deadline applicable to your situation and to avoid any issues related to the permit's expiration.

All these formalities can now be completed online on the dedicated website.


More information about the procedure to follow.

 

Spouse of a European scientist from a non-EU country
If you are a citizen of a European Union country, the EEA, or Switzerland, you may be accompanied or joined in France by your close family members (spouse, children, parents, grandparents), regardless of their nationality.

Family members who are nationals of a non-EU country must apply for a residence permit as a family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, in accordance with applicable regulations. Minor children are not required to hold a residence permit.
They must submit their residence permit application within three months of entering France, following the procedures for family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens via the dedicated platform.

This residence card is free of charge and bears the mention "family member of a Union/EEA/Swiss citizen."

Depending on the nationality of the spouse and children, an application for a short-stay visa (less than 90 days) to enter France may be required.
For further information:

For more information depending on your situation, please contact us: information@espace-ulys.fr. You need to register in advance with our Euraxess France database.