France is known as the hexagon homeland that is filled with beautiful places. To visit all the places in French territory, you may need a France Schengen visa. The famous Alps, fantastic Provence, the breathing Cote d’Azur coastline and amazing Alsace are Important Tourist Places in France/Paris. There are perfect destinations for every t visitor. You can surely see the amusing historical places to modern sites on your visit to France. The classic places, the luxury port side locations, enchanting castles, fishing villages and dense forest are must-visit locations in France. In this article, you can know how to apply for a visa for the France/French Consulate in London/UK.
France remains at the top for the highest Schengen applicants. More than 3 million people apply for it. The rate of approved visas is 2.8 million, and the rates of rejected visas are 11.05%.
Do you need a Visa?
UK citizens holding UK passport do not need a visa to visit France.
For UK residents who are not UK citizens may need a visa depending on their nationality. Just provide very basic information and find out whether or not you need a visa at France Visa website within a minute. For your reference few screenshots are attached below on how to find the required information..
Sample basic information entered as shown below.
You need a visa based on the information provided above.
Please note that UK residents must hold a valid residency permit with validty at least 3 months after their return to the UK from France.
Visa Types?
- The short term visa
The short term visa is generally applied for tourism, family visits and business trips. This visa is also issued for individuals attending conferences, internships, training, or meeting under 90 days. It is also needed if you transit via France. If you have applied for the short term visa, make Flight Reservation stay 4 to 6 months in France.
- The long term visa
It is required if you are planning to stay more than 90 days in France. The stay must be between 3 months to one year. During this period, you can travel to any of the French Schengen areas not exceeding 90 days over any period of 180 consecutive days.
Who can apply for a France visa from UK?
The short term visa: Non-UK citizens residing in UK can apply. You should have a valid residence permit.
The long term visa: Anyone residing in UK can apply
Where to get the French Visa?
Visit the French consulate in London If you are residing in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as Jersey and Guernsey, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.
Apply for France visa If you are visiting Only France, or France is the main destination where you will be staying the longest time, or France is the first Schengen country when spending an equal amount of days in France and another Schengen country.
If you are not a UK resident, visit French consulate in your home country of residence.
Supporting Documents for a Visa application?
- A completely filled visa application form.
- A Travel Document with at least 3 months validity, must be issued less than 10 years ago, and should contain at least two blank pages.
- Passport Photo Requirements for Schengen Visa is a very important part of the visa application. Two passports size photos that should be glued to the visa application. The photo must cover your full face, and it should be a recent one.
- France-Visas receipt which must be printed and returned in original when filing the application.
- A valid document to prove that you are a legal resident in UK.
- A Cover letter stating the purpose of your visit.
- Proof of travel. Rental Agreement or A Travel /Flight itinerary for Schengen Visa specifying travel dates to and from France. This is a dummy air ticket that is booked especially for visa purposes, without paying the full air-fare
- Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay in France. If you are not staying with a friend or a relative, then you need to show dummy hotel bookings for Schengen Visa. These hotel reservations are made without payment.
- Travel health insurance of at least € 30,000, which covers evacuation and repatriation
- Proof of financial independence to demonstrate that you can support yourself for the duration of your stay. UK current/saving account showing your full name and address and proving that you have enough funds for the whole duration of the trip. If you are financially sponsored by your spouse/partner, marriage certificate and bank statements of your spouse/partner.
- If you are employed, get an official letter from your employer and pay-slips for the last three months if available.
- If you are Self-employed, get a letter showing your self-employed and also get a letter from the British financial authorities.
- If you are a Student, get an official letter from your school or University in the UK.
Fill the Visa application form
If you are applying for long stay visa, do not submit the visa application more than 3 months prior to the beginning of your trip. If you are applying for short stay visa, do not submit the visa application more than 6 months prior to the beginning of your trip.
Once the application is submitted online, print the application form and your receipt of the application. These two documents along with all other supporting documents must be presented at the consulate or an external service provider.
A screenshot of the official website.
Before starting the application, you must create an account online. This will allow you to track the status of your application.
A Screenshot of login/registration page
If you are travelling with family members, you can add a member to it and create a group application. A group can only contain up to 6 people or 6 trips. You should take group appointment.
Once you are logged-in, you will see the following screenshot to provide personal information.
Once the application is completed, submit your file to the Consulate General of France in London. The consulate process applications from residents of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scottland, Bailiwick of Jersey and Guernsey, Alderney, Gibraltar, Falklands, Isle of Wight and Isle of Man.
Visa Fees:
The fee is collected in local currency. All major credit cards are accepted except American Express.
| Fee/Category | Full rate | Reduced rate | Free of charge |
| Schengen visa and Airport transit visa | 80 euros | 40 euros1 (children between the age of 6 and 12) | Children under the age of 6, foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
| Short-stay visa for Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion , Saint Martin and Saint-Barthélemy | 60 euros | 35 euros (children between the age of 6 and 12) | Children under the age of 6, foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
| Long-stay visa | 99 euros | 50 euros2 | Foreign spouse of French national. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
| Adopted child | 15 euros3 | — | — |
| Short-stay visa for New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte and French Southern and Antarctic Lands | 9 euros | — | Foreign spouse of French national and foreign members of families of nationals of other Member States of the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Other cases : see the pages specifics to the country |
1Visa fees for national from the following countries: Albania*, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia*, Georgia*, North
Macedonia*, Moldova*, Montenegro*, Russia, Ukraine* are fixed at 35 euros for entry visas and short-stay visas under a facilitation agreement. (*for holders of non-biometric passports only).
2Reduced rate for students whose application was considered by a Center for studies in France.
315 euros when the adopter (or one of the adopters in binational couples) is a French national; this fee applies for France’s European and non-European territories; 99 euros when the adopter is not a French national.
Submit the Application
The application can be submitted directly at the French Consulate General in London or it can be submitted to TLScontact centers located in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Make an Appointment
Visa appointment is required and must be made through TLScontact by calling 0845 7300 118, Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. You must select a time and date to submit your documents at the TLScontact Visa application center.
If you are using the consulate, Direct appointments are available on Wednesday mornings in person only. But the French consulate highly recommend you to submit the application and make an appointment through TLScontact. You should sign-up with TLScontact to make an appointment or track the status of your application. The appointment is usually available within 48 hours
We can also help you to make appointment if you are not sure about the process. Just send us an email to help@schengenvisaitinerary.com.
Track the Application Status
If you submit the application directly at a French Embassy or a French Consulate, Use the InfoVISA online application tracking tool.
If you submit the application at one of the TLScontact centers, Use the TLS online application tracking tool.
You can collect your passport at the visa application center or passport courier service once the application is processed.
You are also notified by email or SMS about the application status.
On the day of appointment
You should carry the appointment letter, passport, supporting documents, application and fees.
Visa applicants are not permitted to bring any sharp objects and dangerous objects.
Use Mobile phones or cameras are not allowed. Bags may be subject to search and carrying a luggage will not be allowed. Children who are below 12 are not allowed in the premises of the Visa Application Center.
