To get a Schengen visa for France from the UK, you must apply for a France short-stay (Type C) visa before you travel if you live in the UK but hold a passport from a country that needs a Schengen visa. You complete the online form on France-Visas, register with TLScontact, attend in person for biometrics, and pay the €90 visa fee plus TLScontact’s service fee. The French Consulate General in London makes the decision
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Key Facts at a Glance
- What Changed in 2026
- 1. Who Needs a France Visa When Living in the UK?
- 2. Which France Schengen Visa Should You Choose?
- 3. How to Apply for a France Schengen Visa from the UK, Step by Step
- 4. When Should You Start Your Application?
- 5. What Documents Do You Need?
- 6. How Much Money Must You Show?
- 7. What Accommodation Proof Is Accepted?
- 8. How Much Does a France Schengen Visa Cost?
- 9. How Long Does Processing Take?
- 10. What Happens After Your Visa Is Approved?
- 11. Why Are France Visa Applications Refused?
- 12. What About Special Situations?
- 13. How Do You Avoid Scams and Choose Visa Help?
- 14. Frequently Asked Questions
- 15. Key Terms Explained
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- Your nationality decides whether you need a visa, not your UK immigration status.
- You can apply up to 180 days before travel, and France-Visas advises allowing at least 20 working days for processing.
- Since 1 August 2026, TLScontact London and Manchester allocate short-stay appointments automatically.
- France’s reference amounts for proof of funds are €65 per day (booked accommodation), €120 per day (no booking) and €32.50 per day (hosted stay with an attestation d’accueil).
- Both the consulate fee and the TLS contact fee are non-refundable, even after a refusal.
- ETIAS is not a visa and does not apply to people who already need a Schengen visa.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail (verified September 2026) |
| Visa type | Short-stay Schengen (Type C), up to 90 days in any 180 days |
| Who decides? | French Consulate General, London |
| Where you submit | TLS contact centers: London (Wandsworth), Manchester, Edinburgh |
| Earliest you can apply | 180 days before travel |
| Consulate fee | €90 adult, €45 child 6–12, free under 6 (paid in GBP) |
| TLS contact service fee | €40–€55 per appointment |
| Official processing guidance | Allow at least 20 working days. |
| Insurance | Minimum €30,000 medical and repatriation cover |
| Valid in | The Schengen Area (29 countries) |
What Changed in 2026
| Date | Change | What it means for you |
| 10 April 2026 | The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational. | Passport stamping is replaced by digital records at the border. |
| 1 August 2026 | TLScontact London and Manchester began allocating short-stay appointments automatically. | You register and wait for an appointment offer instead of picking a slot. |
| Ongoing | ETIAS is not yet live and has no confirmed launch date. | It does not affect people who need a Schengen visa. |
1. Who Needs a France Visa When Living in the UK?
Which nationalities need a visa?
Your nationality decides this. Use the table below as a quick guide.
| Your situation | Visa needed for France? |
| British citizen | No, for up to 90 days in 180 days |
| Citizen of a visa-required country (for example Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, or Nigeria) living in the UK | Yes |
| Citizen of a visa-exempt country (for example, the USA, Canada, or Australia) living in the UK | No visa for short stays |
| EU/EEA/Swiss citizen | No visa |
If you are unsure, use the visa assistant on the official France-Visas portal or check the European Commission’s Schengen visa page.
Does your UK immigration status change this?
No. A UK eVisa, Skilled Worker, Student, Graduate, Spouse, ILR, or settled/pre-settled status shows you can live in the UK. It does not give you the right to enter France.
What about ETIAS?
ETIAS is a travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers, and it is not a visa. It does not replace a Schengen visa, and if you already need a visa, you follow the visa process in this guide. As of September 2026, ETIAS cannot be applied for, and no confirmed launch date has been published. Check the official EU travel portal and ignore third-party sites that claim to take ETIAS applications.
2. Which France Schengen Visa Should You Choose?
All tourist, business and family visits fall under the same short-stay Type C visa. Choose the purpose that matches your trip.
Tourist visa
For holidays and sightseeing, such as a trip to Paris or the French Riviera.
Business visa
For meetings, conferences and trade fairs, with no employment in France.
Family or private visit visa
For staying with relatives or friends.
Which country should you apply to?
Apply to France if France is your main destination (the country where you spend the most nights). If the nights are equal, apply to the country you enter first. A visa issued by France lets you travel across the whole Schengen Area within your allowed stay. If your main destination is another country, such as Germany or Italy, you apply to that country instead.
3. How to Apply for a France Schengen Visa from the UK, Step by Step
The process combines an online form with an in-person appointment.
Step 1: Complete the France-Visas form
Create an account on the official France-Visas website, choose your travel purpose and fill in the form. You then receive a personalized document list and an application reference. Enter details exactly as they appear in your passport.
Step 2: Register with TLScontact.
TLScontact is the only external provider approved by the French Consulate in the UK. Create an account on the TLScontact France portal and link your France-Visas reference.
Step 3: Get your appointment (the 2026 system)
Since 1 August 2026, TLScontact London (Wandsworth) and Manchester have allocated short-stay appointments automatically. Instead of choosing a date, you register, your application joins a queue, and TLScontact emails you an appointment to confirm and pay for. According to TLScontact’s notice, if no appointment is allocated within 60 days, your registration lapses and you must register again. Check TLScontact’s current notice for Edinburgh, because the process there may differ.
Step 4: Pay the service fee on time
TLScontact sets a short deadline to pay after an appointment is offered. If you miss it, the appointment is cancelled, so watch your email closely.
Step 5: Attend in person
Bring your passport, appointment confirmation and documents in checklist order. Arrive on time, because late arrivals may need to rebook. Children under 12 cannot enter the center. Applicants aged 12 and over give fingerprints and a photo, unless they gave Schengen biometrics within the last 59 months. You pay the consulate fee in GBP by debit or credit card (American Express is not accepted).
Step 6: Track and collect your passport
Follow progress under “My requests” in your France-Visas account. You collect your passport at the center or via courier if you chose that option.
4. When Should You Start Your Application?
| When | What to do |
| 6 months to 2 months before travel | Confirm passport validity, check your UK status, plan dates |
| Up to 180 days before | Earliest date you can apply |
| 8–10 weeks before | Complete the France-Visas form and register with TLScontact. |
| 6–8 weeks before | Attend appointment (timing depends on allocation) |
| Minimum 20 working days before | Official advice for allowing processing time |
| 15 days before | Latest legal application date, and too tight to be safe |
Peak seasons (summer, Christmas, and Easter) take longer, so start early.
5. What Documents Do You Need?
Your personalized list from France-Visas is the final authority. Most UK-based applicants need the following.
Core documents for all applicants
| Document | Key points |
| Application form and barcode/receipt | Printed and signed |
| Passport | Issued in the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after your departure from Schengen, with 2 blank pages |
| UK immigration status | Your eVisa proof (a GOV.UK share code) and any residence permit copy requested. Your UK permission should cover your return. |
| Photos | ICAO-compliant, 35×45 mm, plain light background, recent |
| Travel insurance | At least €30,000 cover, valid across the Schengen Area, covering hospital care and repatriation |
| Flight itinerary | Round trip. Avoid non-refundable tickets before approval. |
| Accommodation | Hotel/rental booking, or an attestation d’accueil for hosted stays (see section 7) |
| Bank statements | Last 3 months, showing regular income and enough funds |
| Cover letter | Purpose, dates, itinerary, who pays, and ties to the UK |
Documents by employment status
| Status | What to provide |
| Employed | Employer letter with role, salary, and approved leave, plus 3 payslips |
| Self-employed | Accountant letter, HMRC registration, business bank statements, tax records |
| Student | Enrollment letter or student status proof |
Bring photocopies of the main pages. A missing item can make TLScontact refuse to accept your file, and an incomplete file can be refused by the consulate.
6. How Much Money Must You Show?
There is no single “minimum bank balance” for a Schengen visa, but France publishes reference amounts per day of stay (see France-Visas).
France’s daily reference amounts
| Your accommodation | Daily reference amount |
| Hotel or rental booked for the whole stay | €65 per day |
| No accommodation booked | €120 per day |
| Partly booked | €65 for booked days, €120 for the rest |
| Staying with a host who provides an attestation d’accueil | €32.50 per day |
Worked examples
- 7 nights in a booked hotel: 7 × €65 = €455
- 10 days with a host (attestation d’accueil): 10 × €32.50 = €325
- 10 days with no booking: 10 × €120 = €1,200
Tips for your bank statements
Treat these figures as minimums and aim to show more. Consulates look at the whole picture: regular salary credits and steady savings and spending that matches your stated trip. A large deposit that appears just before applying can raise questions, so be ready to explain it.
7. What Accommodation Proof Is Accepted?
Hotel or rental booking
Provide a booking covering every night. Choose free-cancellation options and use genuine, verifiable reservations. Never submit fabricated or altered documents, as that can lead to refusal and long-term consequences for future applications.
Staying with family or friends (attestation d’accueil)
Your host requests an attestation d’accueil (accommodation certificate) from their local mairie (town hall). The host usually pays a fee and must prove housing and financial capacity. Start this early because it can take weeks. It applies to private visits, not ordinary tourist stays in hotels.
Trips with multiple stops
Provide proof for each stop and keep the dates consistent with your flights and itinerary.
8. How Much Does a France Schengen Visa Cost?
Official fees
| Cost | Amount |
| Consulate visa fee (adult) | €90 (about £80–£82, depending on the exchange rate) |
| Child 6–12 | €45 |
| Under 6 | Free |
| TLS contact service fee | €40–€55 |
| Optional TLS contact extras (courier, lounge, priority) | Extra, and they do not speed up the decision. |
| Travel insurance | Varies with age, length, and provider |
Realistic total budget
For one adult, expect roughly £115–£130 in official fees at recent exchange rates, plus insurance and any optional services. Both fees are non-refundable, even after a refusal. The service fee is only returned in limited cases, such as deciding not to submit before biometrics are taken.
9. How Long Does Processing Take?
Three different timelines are often confused.
The legal standard
Under the Schengen Visa Code, decisions are normally made within 15 calendar days of an admissible application and can extend up to 45 days in some cases.
Consulate guidance
France-Visas says applications are generally processed within 2 to 15 working days once transferred to the Consulate in London.
Planning advice
France-Visas recommends allowing at least 20 working days overall. The clock starts once your application is accepted as complete, not when you fill in the online form. An incomplete file that is accepted anyway can slow or sink the decision.
10. What Happens After Your Visa Is Approved?
Check your visa sticker.
Check the name, dates, number of entries, and validity before you travel.
The 90/180 rule
You may stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area, not per country.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) at the border
EES has been fully operational since 10 April 2026 and replaces manual passport stamping with digital records. Expect a photo and possible biometric checks at the border, and allow extra time at busy airports and ports. See the House of Commons Library briefing and ABTA’s guidance. Carry your insurance certificate, accommodation proof, return ticket, and proof of funds, because border officers can ask for them even with a valid visa.
Biometric reuse
If you gave fingerprints for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you may not need to give them again, but you still need a new ICAO photo.
11. Why Are France Visa Applications Refused?
Common reasons and how to avoid them
Most refusals come from paperwork gaps rather than eligibility.
| Issue | How to avoid it |
| Not enough funds | Show statements that clearly exceed the daily amounts |
| Unclear purpose | Write a specific cover letter and add a day-by-day plan. |
| Inconsistent details | Match dates, names and addresses across every document. |
| Weak ties to the UK | Show employment, tenancy, study, family, or business links |
| Insurance below €30,000 or not Schengen-wide | Check the certificate before you apply. |
| Unverifiable bookings | Use genuine reservations that can be confirmed. |
| Passport or status problems | Check validity and blank pages early. |
What to do if your visa is refused
Read the refusal notice carefully. It states the reasons and how to challenge the decision. For France this is normally a written appeal to the visa refusal appeals commission within a short deadline (typically 30 days, so confirm on your notice). You can also fix the weaknesses and reapply. Fees are not refunded, so a complete, consistent second application matters.
12. What About Special Situations?
Family or friends visit
Add the attestation d’accueil, your host’s ID and proof of their residence in France, and evidence of your relationship.
Business trip
Add an invitation letter from the French company, your employer’s letter authorizing the trip, and proof the trip is not employment in France.
Students
Include enrollment proof, term dates, and permission for absence.
Self-employed applicants
Show income and continuity through accounts, tax records, and client evidence.
Children
You need the parents’ consent, birth certificate and copies of parental IDs. Children under 12 give no fingerprints, but the child still needs a compliant photo.
First-time applicants
No previous travel history is required, but a clear itinerary and stable ties matter even more.
Visiting several countries
If France is not your main destination, apply to the correct country.
13. How Do You Avoid Scams and Choose Visa Help?
How to spot fake agencies
TLScontact warns applicants about fake agencies. Booking an appointment through TLScontact is done directly on its website, and no other agency is appointed by the French Consulate to provide appointments. You can review TLScontact’s scam alert page before paying anyone.
A visa consultancy can legitimately help you organise documents, understand requirements, plan an itinerary and review your file for gaps. It cannot guarantee approval, cannot give you a “guaranteed” slot, and cannot make the decision, which belongs to the consulate.
Questions to ask any consultancy before you pay
- Are you connected to the embassy, consulate, or TLS contact? (An honest answer is no.)
- What exactly does your fee cover, and is it separate from the official fees? Ask for this in writing.
- Do you promise approval or a guaranteed appointment? (If yes, walk away.)
- Are the flight and hotel reservations genuine and verifiable?
How Skyvera Travels can help
Skyvera Travels is an independent travel consultancy, not connected with any embassy, government body, or visa processing center. Through our visa consultancy service, we help UK residents with:
- Document checklist and file review
- Cover letter guidance
- Itinerary planning, plus flight and hotel reservation support
- Schengen travel insurance guidance
- Application form guidance
Ready to start? Contact Skyvera Travels for a document review before you register with TLScontact.
14. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a France Schengen visa if I live in the UK?
It depends on your nationality. Citizens of visa-required countries need one even with a valid UK eVisa or residence status. British citizens and citizens of visa-exempt countries do not.
Can I apply with a share code or eVisa?
Yes. UK residents generally provide proof of their UK immigration status, such as an eVisa share code, along with their passport. Follow the exact list generated for you by France-Visas.
Can I apply for a France visa on a skilled worker, student, or graduate visa?
Yes, if you are legally resident in the UK and your nationality requires a Schengen visa. Make sure your UK permission covers your travel and return.
Where do I submit my application?
At a TLS contact center in London (Wandsworth), Manchester, or Edinburgh. There is no consular area in the UK, so you can use any of them.
How do I book the TLScontact appointment?
Register on TLScontact after completing France-Visas. At London and Manchester, appointments are allocated automatically and emailed to you to confirm and pay.
How early can I apply?
Up to 180 days before travel. Apply well before the last-minute limit of 15 days.
How much does a France Schengen visa cost from the UK?
The consulate fee is €90 for adults, plus a TLS contact service fee of €40–€55. Both are non-refundable.
How long does it take?
France-Visas advises allowing at least 20 working days. The consulate usually decides in 2–15 working days after transfer, and peak periods can take longer.
How much money should I show?
France’s reference amounts are €65 per day with accommodation booked, €120 per day without, and €32.50 per day when hosted with an attestation d’accueil. Show more than the minimum where possible.
Do I need biometrics every time?
Not always. Biometrics can be reused if a previous Schengen visa biometric record was taken within the last 59 months, but you still need a new ICAO photo.
Can I visit other Schengen countries with a France visa?
Yes, provided France is your main destination. The visa is valid across the Schengen Area within your allowed stay.
Can I pay to get a guaranteed appointment?
No. TLScontact is the only approved provider for France in the UK, and paying anyone for a “guaranteed slot” is a red flag.
What if my visa is refused?
Read the refusal reasons, check the appeal deadline on your notice, and either appeal or reapply with a stronger, consistent file.
15. Key Terms Explained
| Term | Meaning |
| Schengen Area | A group of 29 European countries that have removed internal border checks |
| Type C visa | The short-stay Schengen visa, allowing up to 90 days in any 180 days |
| France-Visas | The official French government website for visa applications |
| TLScontact | The external service provider that receives France visa applications in the UK |
| French Consulate General, London | The authority that decides France visa applications made in the UK |
| Schengen Visa Code | The EU regulation (EC) No 810/2009 that sets common visa rules |
| VIS (Visa Information System) | The EU database that stores visa applicants’ data, including biometrics |
| EES (Entry/Exit System) | The EU digital border system that records non-EU travellers’ entries and exits |
| ETIAS | A planned EU travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, not yet live |
| Attestation d’accueil | An accommodation certificate a host in France obtains from their local town hall |
| eVisa / share code | Your digital UK immigration status and the code used to prove it |
| ICAO photo | A passport photo that meets international biometric standards |
Conclusion
A France Schengen visa from the UK is manageable when you start early, follow the current TLS contact process, and submit a complete, consistent file. Focus on accurate documents, funds that comfortably exceed France’s daily amounts, genuine bookings, and a clear purpose for travel. Verify the latest rules on France-Visas and TLScontact before you apply, as fees and procedures can change.
Disclaimer: Skyvera Travels is an independent travel consultancy and is not affiliated with any embassy, government body or visa processing center. This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice, and visa decisions rest solely with the French authorities.
