In order to develop commercial relations between France and Azerbaijan, it is essential to find out about the rules concerning possible visas and authorizations required to travel in these two countries.
As Azerbaijan is not a European Union country, its citizens cannot freely enter and travel within the Schengen area. It is therefore necessary to obtain what is called a Schengen short stay visa.
- What is a Schengen business visa?
The short stay visa (type C) allows you to enter and travel in France and in the other Schengen countries. It can exceptionally contain a limitation to one or a few countries of the Schengen area. Unlike the national long-stay visa (type D) granted by the French consular authorities, the Schengen visa does not authorize settlement in France but only a temporary stay.
This short-stay visa can be requested for several reasons, notably for professional reasons. This is commonly referred to as the Schengen business visa.
The Schengen business visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days in the Schengen countries over a period of 180 days (the validity of the visa is between 6 months and 5 years). Thus, once the visa is obtained, it is possible to :
- either to make an uninterrupted stay of 90 days (visa issued for a single entry)
- or to make several stays of a cumulative duration of 90 days within a period of 180 days (circulation visa).
Once the 90 days have expired, the visa is no longer valid and you must leave the Schengen area. It will only be possible to re-enter the Schengen area after the 180-day period has expired and for a new stay of maximum 90 days.
- Who is concerned?
The following persons can apply for this visa
- Foreigners (nationals of a country outside the European Union)
- Coming for a stay of a maximum of 3 months in France or in another country of the Schengen area
- Not holding a residence permit or a long-stay visa in a Schengen country
- What documents are required?
There are two types of documents required: the basic documents common to all Schengen short stay visas and the documents specific to the Schengen business visa.
Please note: all documents must be completed/translated in English or in the official language of the destination country.
a. Common documents
- Completed and signed visa application form (see below)
https://www.schengenvisas.com/fr/telecharger-le-formulaire-de-demande-de-visa-schengen/
- Visa fee. The standard fee for an adult visa is 80 euros. Certain types of applicants (scientific researchers, students, representatives of non-profit organizations and events of cultural, sports or educational nature aged 25 or younger, holders of diplomatic and service passports, relatives of EU citizens are exempted from all visa fees etc).
- Passport with the following requirements:
- Signature
- A minimum of 2 blank pages (to hold the Schengen visa)
- Issued less than 10 years ago
- Valid for at least 3 months after the expiry date of the requested visa
- Old passport (if applicable)
- Two passport photos (not stapled/glued) with the following requirements:
- Passport size (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- True-to-life representation and recent photo (last 6 months)
- Plain white background
- Front view, facial features visible
- Photocopies of: passport page with personal information, residence permit (if applicable), previous Schengen visas (if applicable)
- Proof of travel medical insurance with the following requirements:
- Minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 for medical repatriation, medical care and/or hospitalization
- Valid for the duration of the visa
- Validity in all Schengen countries
- Conditions clearly stated on the insurance document or confirmation letter
- Note: Credit card medical insurance is not considered valid.
- Flight and hotel reservations with complete hotel address (location, contact number, reservation reference number)
- Statement from local sponsor/employer, including name, contact information (phone and physical address) of the company or sponsor describing the nature of your employment, start date of employment, salary, length of leave (expected return to work date) and purpose of the trip. If applicable, a copy of the valid business license for the investor/company partner
- Evidence of the applicant’s financial means in the country of residence, such as several months of personal bank statements issued 3 months prior to application, assets and/or other relevant personal property.
- Required documents if the traveler is a minor (under 18 years of age): :
- Letter of consent from both parents/legal guardian.
- Copies of passports of both parents/legal guardian.
- Copy of birth certificate:
- If the minor is adopted, proof of adoption is required.
- If parents are divorced, proof of divorce is required.
- If one or both parents are deceased, proof of death is required
b.Specific documents
For the Schengen Business Visa it is also necessary to provide documents containing information on the business activities that are intended to be carried out in the Schengen area, as well as information on the business relationship between the business entities concerned in the country of residence and in the country of intended destination, including the following
- Copy of the company’s valid business license in the country of residence.
- Invitation letter from the company/authority in the country of destination, including its full address, also presenting the nature and duration of the trip, and/or
- Information on the event/trade show/congress to be attended in the country of destination, including details of the host/organizer of the event (including full address, duration of the event and justification for attendance).
- In case of trade show participation: relevant trade show information in the form of tickets/confirmation letter/invoice indicating valid status as a trade show exhibitor.
- Documents expressing the status of trade relations between your country of residence and the country in which you will be operating.
4. What is the procedure to follow?
If you need a Schengen business visa to come to France, you must first gather the required documents (see above) and fill out the application with the French consular authorities in the country of your choice (this application should not be sent more than 6 months before your departure and less than 15 days before).
Once the application is sent, it is necessary to make an appointment at the French Embassy or Consulate, or at a visa application center associated with the French Consulate, in order to attend an interview.
Please note: if you are traveling to several countries in the Schengen area, you must send your application to the country where you will spend the most time. If you spend the same amount of time in each country, you must send your application to the first country you visit upon arrival.
The average processing time for a Schengen Business Visa is 15 days, but in exceptional cases it may take 30 to 60 days.
- What are the recourses when a visa is refused?
All visa refusals must be justified. If you are refused a visa, you can lodge an appeal with the consulate to have its decision reviewed. You must contact the French embassy or consulate in the country of your nationality.
It is also possible to appeal to the Commission de recours contre les décisions de refus de visa d’entrée en France (CRRV). The CRRV can reject the appeal (no response within 2 months is considered an implicit refusal) or recommend to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of the Interior to grant the visa. If, despite everything, the Minister refuses to grant the business visa, it is possible to file an appeal for annulment within 2 months with the Administrative Court of Nantes.
This appeal is mandatory before any appeal to the administrative judge. It must be done within 2 months following the written or implicit refusal (absence of response from the consulate for 2 months) of the visa application.
This appeal must also be motivated and written in French.
- Revocation of the visa
The Schengen short stay visa may be revoked by the Prefect for one of the following reasons
- Cessation of the conditions for the issuance of the visa
- Working without authorization in France
- Behavior disturbing public order
- Visit to France not for a short stay but to stay there (there must be evidence to suggest this)
The decision to revoke the short-stay visa must be communicated along with the reasons, using a standard form.
