TL;DR
To get a France Schengen visa from the UK you apply through TLScontact (London, Manchester or Edinburgh): complete the France-Visas form, book a TLScontact appointment, and attend to give biometrics and submit documents. France is the most popular Schengen destination from the UK, so book early.
| France Schengen visa (from the UK) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| UK visa application centre | TLScontact |
| Application cities | London, Manchester, Edinburgh |
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (up to 45) |
| Official portal | France visa info ↗ |
How to apply
- Complete the France-Visas online form on the official France-Visas portal.
- Create a TLScontact account and book an appointment in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
- Prepare your documents — see the full Schengen document checklist.
- Attend your appointment to give biometrics (fingerprints + photo) and submit.
- Wait for the decision — standard processing is 15 calendar days, occasionally longer.
Why France, and when to apply here
Apply to France only if it's your main destination — where you'll spend the most nights — or your first entry if your trip is evenly split (see which country to apply to). France is the UK's most common Schengen destination, which also means TLScontact appointments are in high demand: book as early as you can and check all three cities for slots (see getting an appointment).
What you'll need
The standard Schengen document set: passport, France-Visas form, photo, proof of UK residence, travel and accommodation bookings, an itinerary, bank statements, €30,000+ travel insurance, and strong evidence you'll return to the UK. Weak UK-ties evidence is the leading reason these applications are refused.
Assemble it cleanly
- Checklist generator — your tailored document list
- Bundler and Compressor — assemble and size your file
Want a human to check it before your TLScontact appointment? See the done-for-you Schengen service. For the overview, see the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How do I apply for a France Schengen visa from the UK?
France's UK visa applications are handled by TLScontact. You complete the France-Visas online form, create a TLScontact account, book an appointment in London, Manchester or Edinburgh, and attend to give biometrics and submit your documents. You must be a legal UK resident to apply from the UK.
- 02
Who handles France visa applications in the UK?
TLScontact is the official external service provider for French Schengen visas in the UK, with centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The decision is made by the French consulate; TLScontact runs the application centre and biometrics.
- 03
How much is a France Schengen visa from the UK?
The consulate fee is €90 for adults, €45 for children 6–12, and free for under-6s — the same as every Schengen country. TLScontact charges its own service fee on top, and you'll need travel insurance with at least €30,000 of cover.
- 04
When should I apply for a France visa from the UK?
You can apply up to 6 months before travel and should apply early — France is the single most popular Schengen destination from the UK, so TLScontact appointments fill quickly, especially before summer. Allow 15 calendar days for standard processing, sometimes more.
- 05
Should I apply to France if I'm visiting several countries?
Only if France is your main destination (where you'll spend the most nights), or your first point of entry if your time is split equally. Applying to France when you'll actually spend most of your trip elsewhere is a common refusal reason.
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