Everything you need to know about getting a Schengen visa for France from the UK — requirements, documents, fees, timelines, and how to secure an appointment when slots are fully booked.
If you are a non-EEA national residing in the UK (most people on a BRP card), you need a French Schengen visa to enter France for tourism, business, or short-term visits.
British citizens and EU/EEA nationals do not require a visa for short stays under 90 days.
France receives more Schengen visa applications from the UK than almost any other country. This makes appointment availability extremely competitive — slots fill within minutes of appearing.
| Visa Type | Duration | Purpose | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen Tourist Visa (C) | Up to 90 days | Tourism, leisure, visiting friends/family | 10-15 working days |
| Business Visa (C) | Up to 90 days | Business meetings, conferences, trade fairs | 10-15 working days |
| Multiple Entry | 90 days per 180 | Multiple trips within validity period | 15 working days |
| Long-stay Visa (D) | 3-12 months | Study, work, long-term stay | 30+ working days |
| Category | French Consulate Fee | TLSContact Service Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (12+) | €80 | ~£25–35 | ~€100-110 |
| Children (6–12) | €40 | ~£25–35 | ~€60-70 |
| Under 6 | Free | ~£25–35 | ~£25–35 |
Additional costs to budget:
Register at visas-fr.tlscontact.com, select UK as your country, and France as destination.
Fill in the Schengen visa application form online. This must be done BEFORE you can book an appointment.
Prepare and arrange documents in the correct order as specified by TLSContact. Missing documents = appointment cancellation.
This is the hardest step. Slots fill within seconds. Use automated monitoring (SlotBot) to catch cancellations, or check manually every few hours.
Submit documents, provide biometrics, and pay the visa fee at the TLSContact centre (London, Manchester, Birmingham, or Edinburgh).
Processing typically takes 15 working days. Track progress via TLSContact SMS/email updates.
France visa appointments are handled exclusively by TLSContact (not the French Embassy directly).
Available locations in the UK:
France receives more UK Schengen visa applications than almost any other country. TLSContact has limited capacity. Available slots (mostly from cancellations) appear without warning and are claimed within 60-180 seconds. Manual refreshing has a <5% success rate.
Recommendation: Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your travel date, or 3 months in advance for summer travel.
We've published in-depth guides for every aspect of the France visa process:
Complete step-by-step guide to navigating TLSContact, preparing your application, and actually securing a slot in 2026.
Detailed breakdown of how and when cancellations happen, and the fastest proven method to claim them before anyone else.
Complete list of every document required, how to prepare them, and what gets rejected (so you don't waste your appointment).
No. British citizens can stay in France for up to 90 days without a visa.
Standard processing is 15 working days. In peak season (summer), add 5-10 extra days. Always apply 4-6 weeks in advance.
Yes. You can apply at any UK TLSContact centre regardless of where you live. Manchester and Birmingham often have better availability.
You can appeal or reapply. Common rejection reasons: insufficient funds, weak travel insurance, or incomplete documentation. Fix these and try again.
Schengen tourist visas cannot be extended. You must return to the UK before expiry. If you need a longer stay, apply for a long-stay visa (D) instead.
Most slots come from cancellations and vanish within minutes. SlotBot monitors TLSContact every 60 seconds and alerts you instantly — or books automatically using your account.
Most clients get confirmed appointments within 1–2 days.