France Schengen visa from the UK: application and document guide
A France short-stay Schengen visa may be required for a non-EU national legally resident in the UK who plans to visit France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The official France-Visas wizard decides whether a visa is required and produces the applicant’s personalised official checklist.
General eligibility points
Use these as research prompts. Meeting them does not guarantee a successful application.
- France is the sole destination, the main purpose of the trip or the country of the longest stay.
- The applicant is legally resident in the UK and follows the France application arrangements for UK residents.
- The planned stay respects the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.
- The visit is temporary and the applicant can demonstrate its purpose, funding and intended return.
Document checklist
The exact evidence depends on the route and circumstances.
- The France-Visas application form, registration receipt and appointment confirmation.
- A travel document issued within the previous 10 years, with at least two blank pages and the required post-trip validity.
- Recent identity photographs meeting the official format.
- Travel medical insurance, accommodation and transport information required by the official checklist.
- Evidence of the visit purpose, sufficient means and UK immigration status, plus translations where required.
Use the correct destination and application office
Follow the official European Commission information and the destination office responsible for the applicant’s place of legal residence.
Complete application route
Start with the destination government website, then use only the appointment provider named by that authority.
1. Start on France-Visas
Use the official visa wizard to check whether a visa is required, select the short-stay purpose and create the application. France-Visas generates the official supporting-document list for the answers entered.
Start on France-Visas ↗2. Complete and register the application
Complete the France-Visas form carefully, submit it online, then save and print the application form and registration receipt. The passport details must match the appointment account.
Read the official application process ↗3. Book through TLScontact—not VFS
For ordinary France visa applications made by UK residents, France-Visas directs applicants to its authorised provider TLScontact. Register using the France-Visas reference and book London, Manchester or Edinburgh. The service fee is paid through the official TLScontact route.
Open the official UK booking instructions ↗4. Attend the visa centre
Take the printed form, receipt, passport and complete documents. Biometrics are normally collected for applicants aged 12 or over; biometric data from a qualifying Schengen visa issued within the previous 59 months may sometimes be reused.
Check biometric information ↗5. Track and receive the passport
Use the tracking and return method supplied at the appointment. TLScontact receives the file, but only the French consular authority decides the application.
France-Visas UK information ↗Four preparation steps
Use the France-Visas wizard
Complete the online application
Book the instructed UK appointment
Attend with the passport and complete supporting file
Check the current European Commission rules
Government requirements can change. Use these official pages as the authoritative source.
France visa from the UK FAQs
How much is the France short-stay visa fee?+
France-Visas publishes a standard short-stay application fee of €90. Reduced fees or exemptions apply to some applicants, and the external application centre may charge a separate service fee.
How early can a UK resident apply?+
France-Visas states that applications may be submitted up to 180 days before travel and recommends allowing at least 20 working days because appointment and processing times vary.
How long does France processing take in the UK?+
France-Visas says applications transferred to the London consulate are generally processed within 2 to 15 working days, but this is guidance rather than a guarantee.