A valid travel document
Your passport should meet the age, blank-page and validity rules for the planned Schengen trip.
France Visa from UK
If you live in the UK and need a visa for France, this page covers the France Schengen visa route, current TLScontact centres, core requirements, fees and processing guidance before you start.
Independent support, not an official visa application. Or use the quick form on this page.
- France Schengen visa guidance
- London · Manchester · Edinburgh
- Reviewed November 2026
FranceShort-stay Schengen visa · UK applicants
- 180
Days before travelEarliest point a UK applicant can submit according to France-Visas.
- 3
UK application centresLondon, Manchester and Edinburgh are currently listed by France-Visas.
- €90
Adult short-stay feeStandard Schengen visa fee before the separate TLScontact service fee.
Do you need a France visa from the UK?
UK residence alone does not decide whether you need a France visa. Your passport nationality, the purpose of your trip and how long you plan to stay are the key starting points.
- 1
British passport holders
British citizens can normally visit France and the wider Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism and certain other permitted short stays.
- 2
Non-British UK residents
If your passport nationality is subject to the Schengen visa requirement and you are legally resident in the UK, you will normally need a short-stay France Schengen visa before travel.
- 3
France must be the correct country
France should normally be your sole or main Schengen destination. If another Schengen country is your main destination, that country may be responsible for your application instead.
For other destinations on your itinerary, see these country guides:
France Schengen visa requirementsfor UK residents
Six essentials for your France visa file.
You can apply from the UK
Your evidence should show that you are legally resident in the UK and eligible to lodge the application here.
Your trip has one clear story
Purpose, dates, transport and accommodation should support the same consistent visit to France.
You can support the trip
Financial evidence should fit the cost of the journey and your employment, study or personal circumstances.
Your insurance qualifies
For a standard short stay, travel medical insurance normally needs at least €30,000 of Schengen-wide cover.
Your file is complete for your profile
Use the France-Visas form and personalised checklist so the supporting evidence required for your circumstances is included before submission.
France tourist visa documents from the UK
The exact France visa documents required depend on your profile. Prepare the core document groups first, then follow the personalised France-Visas checklist for anything specific to your case.
- Passport and required passport copies
- France-Visas application documents
- Recent identity photographs
- Proof of legal UK residence
- Accommodation and trip evidence
- Financial supporting evidence
- Qualifying travel medical insurance
- Employment, study or self-employment evidence
- Invitation or host evidence
Your exact checklist depends on your passport nationality, UK residence status and purpose of travel. Use the personalised France-Visas checklist as the final authority for your case.
France visa appointment in the UK
France-Visas currently uses TLScontact to receive applications in the UK. Applicants can choose London, Manchester or Edinburgh; the French Consulate General in London remains the authority that decides the visa application.
- 1Check the correct visa route
Start with France-Visas to confirm whether you need a visa and which short-stay category matches your trip.
- 2Complete the France-Visas application
Enter the details carefully and use the generated checklist to prepare the supporting file.
- 3Follow the TLScontact booking process
France-Visas says a TLScontact appointment is usually available within 48 working hours, though it can take longer in high season. Follow the live booking instructions for your chosen centre.
- 4Attend and submit your file
Bring the appointment confirmation, passport and required supporting documents and complete biometrics where applicable.
Need help preparing the file?
Tell us about your trip and we can help you organise the application before you submit it through the official route.
What you get from this enquiry
- We confirm which Schengen country you should apply to for your trip.
- We check your document list against the official requirements for your profile.
- We help you organise the application before your official appointment.
No payment is taken with this enquiry. If you want our help, we confirm the fee with you before any work starts.
France visa processing time from the UK
Plan for two separate timelines: appointment availability first, then consular processing after your application has been submitted.
Before submissionAppointment waiting time
TLScontact appointment availability is separate from the Consulate's decision time, so allow for both stages when planning your trip.
2–15working days, generally
France-Visas says applications transferred to the French Consulate General in London are generally processed within this window.
Plan aheadAt least 20 working days
France-Visas recommends submitting at least 20 working days before departure because appointments and individual checks can extend the overall journey.
No private service can guarantee a visa decision, approval or processing speed. Apply early and avoid relying on unverified “guaranteed” timelines.
France Schengen visa fees from the UK
The French visa fee and the TLScontact service fee are separate. Fees are fixed in euros but the amount paid in pounds can change with the consular exchange rate.
AdultsStandard short-stay Schengen visa fee
€90Children aged 6 to under 12Standard reduced short-stay fee
€45Children under 6Visa fee is generally waived
FreeTLScontact short-stay service feeSeparate mandatory fee, set in euros and charged in GBP; France-Visas lists €40–€55 per appointment
€40–€55Other exemptions or reduced rates can apply. Optional TLScontact services cost extra. Confirm the live GBP amount and your exact fee category before payment.
Where to apply for a France visa in the UK
France-Visas currently says UK residents can freely choose between the TLScontact centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh because there is no internal consular-area restriction for these centres.
UK → FranceYour journey
London → ParisIllustrative route · not a travel itinerary
Common France visa application mistakes
The strongest applications are consistent rather than overloaded. Avoid the issues that commonly create confusion before a France visa appointment.
- 01Applying to the wrong Schengen country
Check that France is actually responsible for your trip before starting the application.
- 02Using inconsistent dates
The application, itinerary, accommodation and supporting evidence should all match the same travel plan.
- 03Ignoring appointment lead time
Consular processing begins after submission; appointment waiting time needs to be planned separately.
- 04Relying on unofficial appointment promises
Start with France-Visas and follow the official TLScontact route for your selected UK centre.
- 05Following an old generic checklist
Your nationality, current UK status and travel purpose can change what evidence France-Visas asks you to provide.
France visa from UK FAQs
Answers to common searches about France Schengen visa requirements, appointments, fees and processing for UK residents.
Do UK residents need a visa for France?
Not every UK resident needs a visa. British citizens can normally visit France and the wider Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for permitted short stays. A UK resident who holds a passport nationality that is subject to the Schengen visa requirement will normally need a short-stay visa before travelling.
Where do I apply for a France visa from the UK?
France visa applications lodged in the UK are decided by the French Consulate General in London. France-Visas currently lists TLScontact centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh for receiving applications, and UK residents can choose between those centres.
How early can I apply for a France Schengen visa from the UK?
France-Visas says a UK applicant can submit a visa application up to 180 days before the intended departure date. Its UK guidance recommends applying at least 20 working days before travel to allow for appointment and processing time.
How long does a France visa take from the UK?
France-Visas says that after an application is transferred to the French Consulate General in London it is generally processed within 2 to 15 working days, although individual cases can take longer. Appointment waiting time is separate from consular processing.
How much is a France Schengen visa from the UK?
The standard short-stay Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to under 12; children under 6 are generally exempt from the visa fee. France-Visas lists a separate TLScontact service fee of €40 to €55 per appointment, set in euros and charged in GBP.
Can I apply for a France visa if I live in the UK on an eVisa?
Legal residence in the UK is relevant to where you can lodge the application, but your passport nationality still determines whether you need a Schengen visa. France-Visas generates the personalised evidence required for your circumstances, so use its visa wizard and checklist before submission.
EXPLORE · France
France, beyond the application.
A visual pause from the paperwork — four travel moments to keep the trip itself in view while you prepare the practical side.
Prepare your France visa application
Need help understanding your document list or next step? Start with your travel dates, passport nationality and UK residence situation.
Official sources and checks
Last reviewed . Check current instructions before booking or paying.
Reviewed by Abraham and Tina Zad, 8 years of visa support experience.
How we research, review and correct our guides · Corrections log
UK to Schengen is an independent support service. We are not part of the French government, France-Visas, the French Consulate or TLScontact. We do not issue visas, sell official appointments or influence visa decisions. Always confirm current requirements, fees and appointment instructions through the official France-Visas and TLScontact route before submitting or paying.
