France dependent visa
France's family route is not a single "dependent visa" but a national long-stay (type D) visa that becomes a residence permit once you are in France. If your family member is already settled there on a work, study or residence permit, you apply for a long-stay visa marked for family — for example the "Talent – famille" permit when your sponsor holds a Talent residence permit (the status formerly called "Passeport talent"), or the "vie privée et familiale" permit that follows a family-reunification approval. There is no shortcut: your right to live in France is tied to your sponsor's status, and the validity of your stay moves with their permit. The final decision always rests with the French authorities.
Your sponsor's status decides which door you use. Holders of a Talent permit, EU Blue Card or intra-company-transfer (ICT) permit use an "accompanying family" (famille accompagnante) route — the spouse and minor children can travel with, or after, the main applicant, without the usual waiting period or reunification income test. A sponsor on an ordinary residence permit instead uses "regroupement familial" (family reunification): they must have lived in France for at least 18 months and prove stable income and suitable housing, filing first with the OFII before you can apply for your visa. Either way, each family member files their own application, and from India you apply through the France-Visas system and submit your file in person, with biometrics, at a VFS Global visa centre.
Who this visa is for
- ✓A legally married spouse aged 18 or over of the family member settled in France. Registered partners (PACS) and unmarried partners are not covered by standard family reunification, though the spouse of a Talent permit holder joins under the accompanying-family route.
- ✓Minor children under 18 of the sponsor and/or the spouse, including children where only one parent's filiation is established, or whose other parent is deceased or deprived of parental rights.
- ✓The sponsor must hold a valid French residence permit or long-stay visa — such as a Talent permit, EU Blue Card, ICT permit, salaried-worker card, resident card or long-term resident–EU card (or a receipt for its renewal).
- ✓For the family-reunification (regroupement familial) route, the sponsor must have lived in France for at least 18 months and show stable resources at around the French minimum-wage (SMIC) level, rising with family size, plus housing suitable for the family.
- ✓For the accompanying-family route (Talent permit, EU Blue Card, ICT), there is no 18-month wait and no reunification income test — family may travel with or after the main holder.
- ✓Dependent parents are generally not eligible through standard family reunification; ascendants can join only in limited, discretionary circumstances, so their cases should be assessed individually.
Visa options for France
Family of a Talent permit holder (Talent – famille)
The accompanying-family route: the spouse and minor children can join together with, or after, the main applicant. The spouse receives a "Talent – famille" residence permit that mirrors the sponsor's and allows salaried work without a separate work permit; minor children under 18 travel on a DCEM document. The Talent permit — formerly the "Passeport talent" — can run for up to four years.
Family of an EU Blue Card or ICT employee
The same simplified logic applies to holders of an EU Blue Card or an intra-company-transfer (ICT posted/seconded) permit. The spouse gets a family residence permit tied to the main holder's, with access to the French labour market.
Family reunification (regroupement familial)
For a sponsor on an ordinary residence permit (for example a salaried worker) who has lived in France for at least 18 months. The sponsor files with the OFII, the mayor checks resources and housing, and the prefect decides — a step that can take up to six months; only then does the family apply for the long-stay visa. The spouse later holds a "vie privée et familiale" permit that authorises work.
Family of a researcher or doctoral student
Researchers and doctoral candidates on the "Talent – chercheur" permit can bring family under the accompanying-family route. The spouse holding a "Talent – famille" long-stay visa may also work in France.
Documents typically required
- ✓Passport valid for the intended stay, with blank pages, plus photocopies of the data and stamp pages
- ✓Completed France-Visas long-stay application form and the printed application confirmation
- ✓Recent passport photographs meeting ICAO / Schengen specifications
- ✓Proof of family relationship — marriage certificate for a spouse or birth certificate for a child — legalised or apostilled and translated into French
- ✓Copy of the sponsor's French residence permit (for example a Talent permit) plus their passport
- ✓Sponsor's proof of accommodation in France (lease, property deed or recent utility bill)
- ✓Sponsor's proof of resources for the reunification route (payslips, employment contract, tax notice)
- ✓The route authorisation: the main applicant's visa/permit reference for accompanying family, or the prefect's family-reunification authorisation (issued via the OFII) for regroupement familial
- ✓Proof of travel arrangements and any health insurance required, and payment of the applicable France-Visas fee
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
Indian applicants apply through VFS Global, France's official visa partner in India. First complete the France-Visas online questionnaire to generate your application, then book an appointment at a VFS Global France visa centre — for example the Delhi centre at Baba Kharak Singh Marg (Shivaji Stadium metro), or centres in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and other cities. You must attend in person to submit your file and give biometrics (a photograph and fingerprints); children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting. For a long-stay visa, apply no earlier than three months and at least one month before you travel. After you reach France, validate the long-stay visa online through the ANEF portal within three months of arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Do you guarantee the visa?
No. The decision rests solely with the relevant immigration authority, and no one can honestly guarantee a visa. What we can promise is a frank reading of your case and the strongest, best-documented application we can build around it. Over the last 2-3 years, the applications we have handled have carried a 97% success rate.
Can my spouse work in France on this visa?
Yes. Under the accompanying-family route for Talent, EU Blue Card and ICT holders, the spouse's family permit doubles as a work authorisation and allows salaried work without a separate work permit. Under family reunification, the "vie privée et familiale" permit issued after arrival also authorises professional activity.
Can our children study in France?
Yes. Schooling is open to resident children and is compulsory up to age 16, so accompanying minor children can attend French schools once settled. Under the Talent route, children under 18 do not need a residence permit and travel on a DCEM travel document.
Is a minimum income or accommodation proof required?
It depends on the route. For family reunification (regroupement familial), yes — the sponsor must show stable resources at around the French minimum-wage (SMIC) level, rising with family size, and housing suitable for the family; the mayor and prefecture assess this. For the Talent, EU Blue Card and ICT accompanying-family route, that reunification income and housing test does not apply and the family can travel with the main holder.
Trusted by travellers to France
“Parashars are the reliable agency. They are always there in your need regarding the visa. Varsha ji is very nice person, approachable, and dedicated towards her work. She always listens to your queries and tries her best to work on them.”
“I had a great experience with THE PARASHARS CONSULTANCY & SERVICES. Their team is professional, supportive, and very responsive. They provided clear guidance and completed the work smoothly and on time. The staff was polite and helpful.”
“Awesome; no other words; excellent services. Prompt, highly cooperative and flexible. Ms. Shivani madam was leading the processing for us backed by her team. The processing was very fast.”
“I had a great experience with The Parashars. The entire visa process was handled very professionally and efficiently. The team specially Varsha was always available to answer my questions and guided me through every step with patience.”
“Shivani ma'am was so supportive throughout the prep and she made sure I'm sure with everything that I need to. Honestly she was with me on multiple calls throughout this process. Thanks a lot for your morning message too.”
“Very supportive and helpful. They guided me through every step.”
“Prompt and fast services. Helped me throughout the process and follow up.”
“Great experience and recommended!”