How to book a TLScontact Schengen appointment
TLScontact runs the UK Schengen visa centres for France, Germany and Belgium. To book, complete your consulate's online form, create a TLScontact account, select your country and UK city, and choose an available slot. Availability varies constantly — check the live calendar and book early.
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Visa fee (child 6–12) | €45 |
| Visa fee (child under 6) | Free |
| Maximum stay | 90 days in any rolling 180-day period |
| Standard processing | 15 calendar days (up to 45 in some cases) |
| Travel insurance — minimum cover | €30,000 |
| Passport | Issued within 10 years; valid 3+ months beyond your trip |
| Member states | 29 countries |
Step by step
- Complete the consulate form first — for France, the France-Visas portal; for Germany and Belgium, the route on the consulate's official site.
- Create a TLScontact account and link your application reference.
- Select country and city — London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
- Choose an available slot from the live calendar.
- Attend in person to give biometrics and submit your documents.
TLScontact countries vs. other operators
| Operator | Countries (UK) |
|---|---|
| TLScontact | France, Germany, Belgium |
| VFS Global | Most other Schengen states |
| BLS International | Spain |
| GVC World | Greece |
| Embassy direct | Poland, Luxembourg |
See the country guides: France, Germany and Belgium.
On appointment availability
We won't quote a wait time — it isn't fixed. Slots release in batches, so availability changes through the day and by season, and France in particular is in heavy demand. Book early, check all three cities, and look at different times of day. Avoid "guaranteed slot" resellers; several consulates void bot-booked appointments.
Before your appointment
- Checklist generator — your tailored document list
- Bundler and Compressor — assemble and size your file
- Confirm which country you should apply to
Let us book it for you
Prefer not to chase slots? Our done-for-you Schengen service books the TLScontact appointment for you and reviews your application before you submit. See what's inside the price, or start at the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
Which countries use TLScontact in the UK?
In the UK, TLScontact is the official visa application centre operator for France, Germany and Belgium. Most other Schengen states use VFS Global, while Spain uses BLS International and Greece uses GVC World. Poland and Luxembourg take applications directly at their London embassy.
- 02
How do I book a TLScontact Schengen appointment from the UK?
First complete your destination's online form (for France, the France-Visas portal). Then create a TLScontact account, select the country and your UK city — London, Manchester or Edinburgh — and choose an available slot. You attend in person to give biometrics and submit documents.
- 03
Why are there no TLScontact appointments available?
France is the most popular Schengen destination from the UK, so TLScontact slots fill quickly, especially before summer. Slots are released in batches and availability shifts through the day, so there's no fixed wait. Check the live calendar often, try all three cities, and book early.
- 04
Which UK cities have TLScontact centres?
TLScontact operates centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh for the countries it handles. If your nearest centre has no slots, the same country is usually bookable in another of those cities, so widening your city search is one of the most effective tactics.
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