Business Visa (Self-Employed)

Have everything you’ll need ready to help speed up the process. 

The tools mentioned below could help when getting everything together:

• Visa wizard - this tool highlights what requirements there are, what the visa fees are and lists what supporting documents you’ll need.
• Visa calculator - this will help to find out how long you’re able to stay in the Schengen Area (if you’ve visited in the last 6 months).

You can also see which authorities are approved to receive your visa application, here. 

If your home country is eligible, you will need to fill out your online application form. Throughout the process, you’ll be helped out with on-screen explanations.

If your country isn’t eligible, please check what the process will be, here.

When you complete the online application form, it will ask you to show different supporting documents. These include:

• Your passport or travel document (as well as a copy of this). It will need to:
  
  • be in good condition
  • have been issued within the last 10 years
  • have at least 2 blank pages to place your visa 
  • still be valid for 3 months (at least) after you leave the Schengen Area. For a long stay, it will need to be valid for at least 3 months on the date your visa expires. Please note, that this last requirement may not stand if there is a proven emergency.
• 2 x recent ID photos in ISO/IEC format (pdf)
• the documents you’ve been asked for will need to be the originals, as well as copies.

Please remember, that any documents in languages that are not French or English may need to be translated into French.

FAQs on the business visa application process

• When will I need to pay the admin fee for the application?
  
  This can be paid when you submit your application.
  
  
• What happens when my application form is complete?
  
  At this point, you can create a personal account and input your email to make sure you can save your form and return to it at a later date if needed. Following this, you can validate and print everything out.  
  
  
• What are the next stages?
  
  You will receive a list of supporting documents needed and you will then be able to book your visa application appointment.

Now you can book your appointment at a visa application centre. Remember, you won’t be able to submit your application without an appointment, so be sure to get this in place with plenty of time.

When will I be able to submit my application?

This will depend on whether you’re applying for a short-stay or long-stay visa:

• Short-stay visas can be submitted as early as 6 months before you are due to travel and as late as 2 weeks before you’re due to leave.
• Long-stay visas can be submitted up to 3 months prior to travel, and as late as 2 weeks before you’re due to go.

Always try to leave as much time as possible to allow for any appointment waiting times.

It’s helpful to note that external service providers are used to getting visa applications and any documents associated with them, however, the consular services will still stay completely responsible for processing your visa and for any decision-making.

This is the part that will need to be done in person when you visit a visa application centre. This will mean you are able to give in all of the listed documents on the ‘Supporting Documents’ tab.

What will happen during the appointment?

• Your visa will be reviewed
• Your visa fee can be paid
• You’ll need to have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned

Please remember that it is normal for them to keep your passport, as well as the copies of your supporting documents following your appointment.

How long will my appointment take?

The application process for your visa can take around 20 minutes at the application centre.

Fingerprint (biometric information) questions

• Will everyone need their biometric information taken?
  
  Anyone aged 12 or over will need their own application form and their biometric data recorded.
  
  
• What if I’ve already had my fingerprints taken?
  
  If you hold a biometric Schengen visa that has been issued to you within the past 59 months, your past biometric data can then be re-used. 

What are the business visa application fees?

This will include the costs for the administrative work carried out during the visa application process (even if your visa is not successful). For more information on this, you can read through the table of application fees by visa type (pdf).

If your fees have been sent to an external service provider, this provider will then collect all appropriate fees. The service fee may vary from one country to another, but it won’t go over € 40 per visa application. External service providers may also provide additional services at an extra cost, as authorised to do so by the administration.

Once your application has been submitted, it will be checked by the visa centre. You can track this progress on your application page.

As soon as your passport is ready for collection, you will be contacted by your application centre. Visa applications are normally processed within 15 days, but please remember, this could extend by up to 45 days in some situations.

Note: It may be possible for you to have your passport sent back to you by postal services.