France is the top tourist destination, visited by hundreds of millions every year. For those planning a visit or stay in France, knowing the visa process and obtaining a visa is essential.
Understanding French visa requirements
Who needs a French visa?
Citizens of countries outside the European Union who require a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen area.
Family members of French or European Union citizens who do not have a residence permit.
UK nationals who plan to stay in France for more than 90 days or purposes other than tourism, business or visiting family and friends.
Types of France visas
Short-stay visa: Visas issued for tourism, business or to see family or friends for up to 90 days.
Long stay visa: for stays of more than 90 days, usually issued for purposes such as work, study, family reunification, etc.
Preparing your visa application
Gather the necessary documents
Collect a list of all the documents required for the application according to the requirements. All the information can be found on the website of the TLS, France-Visas or the French Consulate.
Filling in the visa application form
Go to the official France-Visas website and fill in the online application form.
Fill in the online application form, checking that the details entered is correct and submit it.
One important detail to note as shared by a Reddit user:
" Ensure that you have submitted the French visa application to the website after receiving the dates from the visa application center TLScontact, if you don't, the printing will have a "DRAFT" watermark on it".
If you encounter this issue, after receiving your appointment confirmation from the TLS website, return to the France Visas website and reprint your application. This should remove the "DRAFT" watermark.
Submitting Your Application at a Visa Centre
Searching for a visa centre
TLScontact is the France Embassy's external service provider responsible for making appointment, accepting applications and returning passports at the three UK visa centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. As of November 2024, UK applicants are free to apply at any of these three centres as all centres are in the same consular area (double-check on the official website as rules change often).
How to apply for a visa for France
Book an appointment to apply for a visa by using the TLScontact visa applications centre.
Like many visa centres in the Schengen area, the French visa centre has the problem of a lack of available space for appointments. Knowing the timeline for updating the system and adding new appointment slots will make things easier. Here's what Reddit users are writing:
"I had to book in January to get April appointment, I found that evening they are opening some slots may be by 5 to 6 pm."
Also, the use of bots remains the most popular and successful way to get a visa appointment:
"Took me a while to get an appointment the normal way. Used the bot via telegram and got an appointment a week after. I’d recommend it completely!"
Submit your application with the relevant documents to your chosen visa application centre.
Pay the visa application fee and visa application centre service fee during the France visa application process.
After Submitting Your Visa Application
Tracking your application
Follow the progress of your application in your France-Visas account or on the visa application centre website, under ‘My applications’.
Passports are usually returned within 15 days, but during high season it can take up to 30 days.
Get your passport and check your visa expiry date and make sure it covers the period of your intended stay in France.
Final notes
Obtaining a French visa requires planning and attention to detail. You need to understand the visa requirements, prepare your documents, fill out the application form and submit it to the visa application centre. The process can be intimidating, especially when it comes to making an appointment. But if you prepare thoroughly, getting a French visa in your passport can be swift and seamless.
