Schengen Visa France

[Governor]

My (Thai) wife and kids are visiting me in the UK for three weeks in June before I return with them to retire to our home in Thailand.

We want to take the kids to Disneyland Paris for a couple of days so they will need to get a Schengen visa, we would be grateful for any advice on the process, ie what we need to supply and the length of the process, also as the spouse of a UK citizen is she exempt from fees.

Thanks in anticipation.

[Mahout Angrit]

As your wife is resident in Thailand she must apply at the French Embassy in Bangkok (You can change the web site language to Thai from French for your wife) by completing this form

I would get their visit visa to UK first then apply. If she shows her marriage certificate and proof that you are British then her visa will be free, if you are the father of the kids then they will be free also.

[pete_r]

As Mahout Angrit said, do show the British marriage certificate (bring the original together with a copy) AND a proof of your British citizenship (copy of your passport). It makes the visa application process easier as well as cheaper.

Any document indicating that she does not intend to stay in France can help too, for example the copy of the return ticket to Thailand and a letter from you (with your contact details) explaining the purpose of the visit to France.

A proof of financial means is also required, typically a copy of bank book with a large sum or a regular income.

Another requirement is a travel insurance. My wife uses BUPA, they have an office in the Q-building on Convent street, not far from the French consulate in Bangkok (about 1600 Bahts for 2 weeks travel).

Documents in English are accepted, but any document in Thai should be translated in French or English before the application (children's birth certificates for example). The Alliance Francaise inside the French consulate provides a translation service at competitive prices.

The process should take 5 to 7 working days.

[Arkady]

As Mahout Angrit said, do show the British marriage certificate (bring the original together with a copy) AND a proof of your British citizenship (copy of your passport). It makes the visa application process easier as well as cheaper.

Any document indicating that she does not intend to stay in France can help too, for example the copy of the return ticket to Thailand and a letter from you (with your contact details) explaining the purpose of the visit to France.

A proof of financial means is also required, typically a copy of bank book with a large sum or a regular income.

Another requirement is a travel insurance. My wife uses BUPA, they have an office in the Q-building on Convent street, not far from the French consulate in Bangkok (about 1600 Bahts for 2 weeks travel).

Documents in English are accepted, but any document in Thai should be translated in French or English before the application (children's birth certificates for example). The Alliance Francaise inside the French consulate provides a translation service at competitive prices.

The process should take 5 to 7 working days.

I got one for Thai g/f a couple of years ago for Spain and the requirements are the same. They ask for a couple more things than for a British tourist visa i.e. they need: pay slips in addition to a letter from an employer; evidence of travel reservation; evidence of accommodation; health insurance; notarised letter of invitation if you are staying with friends or family (which cost me a whooping 200 euros). Otherwise if a Thai can get a British visa, they will certainly get a Schengen and, yes, get the British one first if that is the main desination. BTW the staff at the Spanish embassy seemed very idle although they interview all first time applicants. All the questions they asked were things that were on the application form which made for an easy interview.

[yeti]

Any proof that your wife is working could be useful. And a letter describing her itinerary in Schengen area is necessary.