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Do UK citizens need a French visa?
UK citizens with UK passports do not need a visa to travel to France for up to 90 days (short stay visa) in a 180-day period. Starting from 2025, UK citizens require an ETIAS before their travel to France or any other Schengen area.
Who must secure a visa when traveling to France from the UK?
Any resident from the UK whose nationality does not permit visa-free entry to France as per the Schengen area free movement needs a French visa. To know if you need a visa or an ETIAS, take this simple assessment.
When can applicants apply for a visa in French consulates?
- When France is the only country, you are visiting.
- If you are spending equal days in multiple countries, your entry point must be France.
- If you are travelling to multiple Schengen countries, you can only apply for a visa in the French consulate if France is your longest stay.
What are the documents required for French visa when applying from the UK?
Passport
- The passport must have at least 2 blank pages and must have been issued in the last 10 years. Its validity must extend at least 3 months beyond your departure from the Schengen area.
Visa application form
- Register yourself and complete the visa application form. Download the form and sign it.
Passport size picture
- Your photo must have been taken in the last 3 months against a light or white background with a visible face and ears as per Schengen visa photo requirements.
Proof of residence
- As you are a resident in the UK, you should provide a photocopy of legal proof such as a Biometric residence permit(BRP).
- If the BRP is in the process of renewal, get a written confirmation from UKVI confirming your stay beyond the date issued in the current BRP.
Flight Itinerary
- Proof of travel, such as a Flight ticket or cruise/ bus ticket for your entry and exit from France.
- You need not book fully paid flight tickets until the visa is approved. Use our FlightGen app to make temporary reservations and book actual tickets once the visa is approved.
Cover letter
- A cover letter is the most important document as it outlines your purpose of the trip, duration and applicant details. A well-written letter increases your chance of getting a visa. If you are unsure how to write it, opt for our service below.
Funds / Financial proof
- Your account must maintain a minimum of €65 per day per person throughout the duration in France. You can assure this by providing the last three months’ bank statements. If you are being sponsored by someone then get a Sponsorship letter from them along with their last three months’ bank statements.
Proof of accommodation
- You should provide accommodation details such as a hotel reservation. In case you are visiting friends or family then provide an Invitation letter from the host. Make sure French local police attest to it.
Employment details
- Employees can provide the last 3 months’ pay stubs and a letter from their employer.
- Self-employed can issue recent ITR and last 3 months’ bank statements.
- Student can provide official letters from their university/school.
Travel health insurance
- You should get an insurance certificate which covers at least 30,000 € throughout the trip and is valid in all Schengen areas. Get your pre-approved health insurance below,
Minors documents
- Parents/Guardian’s passports and last 3 months’ bank statements.
- Notarized travel authorization letter by parents
- The visa application letter is signed by both parents/guardians. If sole custody is provided to one parent, then provide evidence.
What are the visa fees for France when applying from the UK?
Visa fees are subject to change without any prior notice. The consular authority collects visa fees, and TLSContact collects service fees. Both fees are non-refundable / non-transferable. Fees are only payable in GBP.
| Visa Type | EUR | GBP |
| Short stay Schengen visa, less than 90 days | 80.00 | 69.08 |
| Short stay visa, Children between 6-12 years | 40.00 | 34.54 |
| Short stay visa for French Overseas Departments and Regions (DROM) | 60.00 | 51.81 |
| Short stay visa for French Overseas Departments and Regions (DROM)minor child of 6 to 12 years old | 35.00 | 30.22 |
| Short-stay Schengen visa – Negotiated tariff Schengen and DOM | 35.00 | 30.22 |
| Short-stay French visa for French Overseas Territories (CTOM) | 9.00 | 7.77 |
| Transit visa | 80.00 | 69.08 |
What is the French visa processing time?
Generally, visas are processed in 15 working days. It might extend in certain cases when visa authorities request further information or during peak season when the applications are more. You can apply for a visa 90 days before your planned departure.
How to apply for a French visa from the UK?
- Go to the official website of France visas and check if you need a visa by answering some simple questions. If yes, answer all the questions and, click on ‘Submit online application’ and create your account.
- Provide all the details and submit your application. Once you get the confirmation through email, get a printout of the application form and sign it. Also prepare your documents as per the type of visa you are applying for.
- Create an account at the TLS Contact application centre by clicking ‘I have completed the France visa form.’ Provide the requested personal information and add details of family members in the same application group if they are travelling along with you. Book an appointment based on your schedule and get a printout of it. You can apply at your nearest visa center
- Visit the TLS Contact application centre with copies of documents, visa application forms and appointment confirmation letters.
- Submit your documents, biometric data and pay the visa fees.
- Wait for the visa processing.
Where to apply for a France visa from the UK?
The French Embassy has outsourced TLS Contact visa application centres for processing visas, and the centres are available in London, Edinburgh and Manchester. UK residents can apply for a visa at any of the 3 centres.
- Address: 18 Ryeland Boulevard (Ram Quarter), Wandsworth, London SW18 1UN, United Kingdom
- Working hours for visa application – Monday to Friday(07:30 – 15:30) , Saturday (09:30 – 13:30)
- Working hours for passport collection – Monday to Friday(08:30 – 16:30)
- Address: 1 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 3BE,United Kingdom
- Working hours for visa application – Monday to Friday(08:30 – 13:30)
- Working hours for passport collection – Monday to Friday(13:00 – 16:00)
- Address: Office 2.11-2.12 – Regus, Abbey House, 83 Princes street, Edinburgh EH2 2ER, United Kingdom
- Working hours for visa application – Monday to Friday(08:30 – 13:30)
- Working hours for passport collection – Monday to Friday(08:30 – 13:30)
Why was my French visa rejected?
There could be multiple reasons why your visa got rejected, but the most common one is mismatching documents. It’s always important to produce valid and unexpired documents. However, you will be officially notified of the reason for visa rejection by authorities. You can appeal this decision to the Commission de Recours contre les Décisions de Refus de Visa, BP 83609 44036 Nantes CEDEX 1. The appeal must be written in French and submitted within two months.