TL;DR
VFS Global runs the UK visa application centres for most Schengen states, though not France, Germany, Belgium, Spain or Greece. Create a VFS account early, select your destination and a UK city (London, Manchester or Edinburgh, coverage varies), pick a slot, then attend in person for biometrics. The consulate fee is 90 euros for an adult, about 81 pounds, plus the VFS service fee. Book early, widen your city search, and avoid slot resellers.
How to book a VFS Global Schengen appointment
To book a Schengen visa appointment at VFS Global in the UK, go to the VFS UK page for your destination country, create an account, select the country and your UK city, and choose an available slot. VFS runs centres for most Schengen states. Slot availability changes constantly, so check the live calendar and book early.
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Visa fee (adult) | €90 |
| Visa fee (child 6 to 11) | €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
- Confirm VFS handles your country. Most Schengen states use VFS in the UK, but not France, Germany, Belgium, Spain or Greece, and not Poland, Luxembourg or Romania, which take applications directly (see below). Check your destination consulate's official site.
- Create your VFS account early, so you're ready the moment slots appear.
- Select country and city, London, Manchester or Edinburgh (coverage varies by country).
- Pick an available slot from the live calendar and complete any online form.
- Attend in person to give biometrics and submit your documents.
Who uses VFS vs. another operator
| Operator | Countries (UK) |
|---|---|
| VFS Global | Most Schengen states |
| TLScontact | France, Germany, Belgium |
| BLS International | Spain |
| GVC World | Greece |
| Embassy or consulate direct | Poland, Luxembourg, Romania (eViza portal) |
On appointment availability
We can't quote a wait time, slots are released in batches and availability shifts through the day and by season. The reliable tactics are to book early (especially before summer), widen your city search, and check the calendar at different times of day. Avoid unofficial resellers offering "guaranteed" slots; several consulates void bot-booked appointments.
Before your appointment
Get the application right so you submit cleanly:
- 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
Don't want to chase slots yourself? Our done-for-you Schengen service books the VFS appointment for you and checks your whole application before submission. See what's inside the price, or start at the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
How do I book a Schengen appointment with VFS Global in the UK?
Go to the VFS Global UK page for your destination country, create an account, select the country and the UK city, and choose an available appointment slot. You then attend in person to give biometrics and submit your documents. VFS handles UK applications for most Schengen states.
- 02
Which Schengen countries use VFS Global in the UK?
VFS Global operates UK visa application centres for most Schengen states. The exceptions are France, Germany and Belgium (TLScontact), Spain (BLS International) and Greece (GVC World); Poland and Luxembourg take applications directly at their London embassy, and Romania through its own eViza portal and the Consulate General of Romania in London, with no centre fee. Always confirm on your destination consulate's official site.
- 03
Why can't I find a VFS Schengen appointment slot?
Demand often exceeds slot supply at UK centres, especially before summer. Availability changes through the day as fresh slots are released, so there is no fixed wait time. Check the live VFS calendar regularly, stay flexible on city and date, and book as early as you can.
- 04
Which UK cities have VFS Global Schengen centres?
VFS runs centres in London, with many countries also served from Manchester and Edinburgh; Cardiff handles some applications too. Coverage varies by country, so check which cities your destination offers when you reach the booking step on the VFS UK site.
- 05
What should I sort out before the VFS appointment?
Get the application right so you submit cleanly. Use the checklist generator for a tailored document list, the bundler and compressor to assemble and size your file, and confirm which Schengen country you should be applying to before you book. On the day you attend in person to give biometrics and submit your documents at the centre.
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