Scientists' families

Various arrangements exist to facilitate the move to France for scientist’s family a long research stay (over 90 days). Procedures vary depending on the nationality of the family members. See the procedures for each case below.

Children from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

No special procedures are necessary for children from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

Children from third countries

Children from a non-exempted third country require a long-stay D visa in order to enter France. This visa must be requested at the French consulate closest to your place of residence, at least two months prior to your departure for France. You may file this request when requesting your visa, should you require one due to your nationality.

Regardless of their nationality, scientist’s children under the age of 18 are free to stay in France without a residence permit.

However, if your child must travel outside of France, you have to apply for a permit with the Document de Circulation pour Etranger Mineur (DCEM) at the local Préfecture. The DCEM allows your child to return to France without having to apply for a visa again. The validity of this document depends on the duration of the parents' stay. It is renewable until the child reaches 18 years of age, as long as his/her parents have legal status in France. A tax of €50 is payable in tax stamps.

If one of the child's parents is a national of the EU/EEA/Switzerland, this document is free of charge.

The application for a DCEM is now done online on the dedicated website.

NOTE: The DCEM must be accompanied by a valid travel document (passport) if the child is to travel outside France.

Check the list of requested documents for a DCEM.

Spouse from a European country

If your spouse is from Switzerland, the European Union or the EEA, he/she is free to reside and work in France without any special administrative procedures.

Spouses from third countries

Visa requests

If your spouse is from a third country and is not exempt, a visa application must be made to the French consulate in their place of residence. The request must be made at least two months before your departure for France. This request can be made at the same time as your visa application if your nationality also requires one.

Find out more about the visa request

Residence permit requests

Within two months of arriving in France, the spouse of a scientist must follow the same procedure as his/her spouse. Depending on the designation on the visa, the spouse must obtain:

• validation of the visa.
• or request a residence permit using the dedicated online platform.

For more information about the procedure.

Renewal of residence permits

Your spouse’s residence permit must be renewed using the dedicated online platform. The application for renewal must be submitted three months prior to the expiration of his/her current residence permit.
For more information.

Children from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

No special procedure is necessary for children from the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

Children from third countries

Children from a non-exempt third country require a long-stay D visa in order to enter France. This visa must be requested at the French consulate closest to your place of residence, at least two months prior to your departure for France. You may file this request when requesting your visa, should you require one due to your nationality.

Regardless of their nationality, scientist’s children under the age of 18 are free to stay in France without a residence permit.

However, if your child must travel outside of France, you have to apply for a permit with the Document de Circulation pour Etranger Mineur (DCEM).
The DCEM allows your child to return to France without having to apply for a visa again. The validity of this document depends on the duration of the parents' stay. It is renewable until the child reaches 18 years of age, as long as his/her parents have legal status in France. A tax of €50 is payable in tax stamps.

If one of the child's parents is a national of the EU/EEA/Switzerland, this document is free of charge.

The application for a DCEM is now done online on the dedicated website.

The child and at least one of his parents must be present to apply and to pick up the DCEM.

For more information see the Internet module of the Bureau de l’Immigration of the Préfecture of the Loire.

NOTE: The DCEM must be accompanied by a valid travel document (passport) if the child is to travel outside France.

Spouse from a European country

If your spouse is from Switzerland, the European Union or the EEA, he/she is free to reside and work in France without any special administrative procedures.

Spouse from a third country

Visa requests

If your spouse is from a third country and is not exempt, a visa application must be made to the French consulate in their place of residence. The request must be made at least two months before your departure for France. You may file this request when requesting your visa, should you require one due to your nationality.

Find out more about the visa request

Residence permits requests

A scientist's spouse must follow the same procedures as the scientist within two months of arriving in France. Depending on the information on the visa the scientist's spouse will have to:

• have his/her visa validated;
• or request a residence permit using the dedicated online platform.

To learn more about the procedure.

Renewal of residence permits

Your spouse’s residence permit must be renewed using the dedicated online platform. The application for renewal must be submitted three months prior to the expiration of his/her current residence permit.
For more information.