Visahjelp

Medical treatment (≤ 90 days) — short-stay Schengen visa « soins médicaux »

This is a standard Schengen short-stay visa (up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period) for people travelling to France to see a specialist, receive hospital treatment, or follow up after prior treatment. The French public health insurance system does not cover costs for short-stay medical visitors — you pay out of pocket or via your own private insurance, and you must demonstrate you have the means to cover both the treatment and the stay. Medical documents are reviewed with strict confidentiality. The visa does not prevent you from combining the trip with private or tourist activities during the same stay.

From the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Decisions by the Embassy of France in Hanoi or Consulate-General in HCMC. The visa is a standard Schengen short-stay (Type C, ≤90 days) and grants entry to the full Schengen area within its validity. The medical purpose is the **declared motive**, not a separate visa category — the same visa allows tourism and family visits during the stay (subject to the 90-day Schengen ceiling). **Schengen Visa Code Article 21 own-funds test applies** — the consular post will verify the applicant's financial roots in Vietnam (bank statements, property/employment evidence) AND the cost-coverage for the treatment. EES applies at Schengen entry/exit (short-stay regime).”
— French Ministry of Foreign Affairs · French consulates

What you need

  • Per france-visas.gouv.fr/sejour-pour-soins-medicaux and the Notice d'information du Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé: (1) **Standard Schengen short-stay documentation** (Cerfa 14076-05, passport, photos, travel medical insurance ≥€30,000, accommodation, return-trip evidence); (2) **Medical-specific supporting documents** examined under medical confidentiality: medical certificate from the receiving French clinic/hospital/practitioner stating the nature of the treatment + estimated duration; appointment confirmation or pre-admission letter; financial-coverage commitment showing the applicant can pay (out-of-pocket evidence, signed cost estimate, insurance attestation if applicable). For Vietnamese applicants: Vietnamese-language medical records notarised + translated + legalised through MoFA + French Embassy chain.

Checklist

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  • Schengen short-stay visa application form (Cerfa 14076-05) *
  • Two recent identical biometric photos (35mm × 45mm, ICAO standard) *
  • Original passport (validity covering planned stay + 3 months) *
  • Schengen travel health insurance — minimum EUR 30,000 coverage *
  • Accommodation evidence — hotel booking, attestation d'accueil, or hospital-affiliated lodging *
  • Return-trip evidence (search-result printout — see Schengen flight-evidence convention) *
  • Vietnamese medical + supporting documents — notarised + sworn translation + legalisation *
02

Medical purpose evidence

  • Medical certificate from receiving French clinic / hospital / practitioner — stating treatment + estimated duration *
  • Financial coverage commitment — applicant pays (French health insurance does NOT cover) *
03

Fees

  • Schengen short-stay visa fee — verify current amount on france-visas *
  • TLS Contact service fee — EUR 25 per applicant *

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