Traveling between the United Kingdom and France used to be convenient. However, entry requirements changed after Brexit in 2021. In this passage, we are going to talk about whether a visa to France from UK is needed and how to apply for it.
Do I Need a visa for France from UK 2024
Whether you need to apply for France visa from UK depends on your nationality and the length of stay. France is one of the Schengen countries. Nationals of the 27 member states can enter France and stay for an indefinite time. Additionally, citizens of the following countries and regions can travel to France without visas and stay for up to 90 days.
| Albania | Andorra | Argentina | Australia | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Brunei | Canada | Chile | Colombia | Costa Rica |
| Dominica | Timor-Leste | El Salvador | Georgia | Grenada |
| Guatemala | Honduras | Israel | Japan | Kiribati |
| North Macedonia | Malaysia | Marshall Islands | Mexico | Micronesia |
| Moldova | Monaco | Montenegro | Nicaragua | New Zealand |
| Palau | Panama | Paraguay | Peru | Saint Lucia |
| Singapore | Samoa | San Marino | Serbia | Saint Vincent and Grenadines |
| Solomon Islands | Tonga | Trinidad and Tobago | Tuvalu | Ukraine |
| United Arab Emirates | United States | Uruguay | Vanuatu | Venezuela |
France Schengen Visa Types
Travelers should apply for a France Schengen visa when traveling to Metropolitan France. Depending on the length of stay, it is divided into short-stay and long-stay visas. Depending on the purpose of travel, here are some common types of short-stay visas.
- Tourist visa
It is designed for non-Schengen nationals who travel to France for tourism and entertainment. This visa holders can stay in France and other Schengen countries for no more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
- Business visa
It allows professionals, business persons, and entrepreneurs to attend fairs, seminars, conferences, or other business activities.
- Transit visa
It is used to transit in a French airport while flying to the destination. Visa holders must not leave the transit area and enter France no matter how long they have to wait.
France Visa Requirements For UK
The requirements for visa to France from UK are generally the same as those from other countries. You have to present proof of identity, citizenship, and travel itinerary. If your documents are not in French or English, include a French translation along with the original copies.
General France Visa Requirements
- A valid passport with a least 2 blank pages and 90 days of validity upon leaving France.
- Photocopy of the bio-data and previous Schengen visas (if applicable) page of the passport.
- Completed visa application form.
- Two passport-style biometric photos.
- Confirmed return tickets or tickets for onward trip.
- Proof of financial capabilities to support your expenses in France, such as bank certificate, pay slips, etc.
- A certified document indicating your occupation, such as a signed letter from your employer, student certificate, pension account statements, etc.
- Proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation order or invitation letter from your host.
- Proof of travel health insurance of more than €30 and valid in all Schengen countries.
Extra France Visa Requirements
Other supporting documents vary according to the purpose of traveling.
If you are employed by a company or individual, you should provide:
- Employment contract with your position and income
- Bank statement within the past 6 months
- A letter from your employer showing that you are approved to leave
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If you are self-employed, please include:
- Proof of company registration, such as a business license or tax certificate
- Company’s bank statement within the past 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If you are a student, the following is needed:
- Student certificate or enrollment documents
- Approval from school
If you are retired, you are required to present:
- Pension statement for the last 6 months
If you are unemployed, you have to prove:
- You are financially capable to fund your trip, or
- You have a sponsor to fund your trip.
How to Apply for France Visa from UK
When applying for a Schengen visa, you have to decide which embassy you should apply from. Provided that you will only visit one country, apply from the embassy of your destination. Supposing that you visit more than one country, apply from the embassy of the nation where you will spend most of the time (different duration of stay in each nation) or the nation where you arrive first (equal duration of stay in each nation).
After confirming your eligibility and preparing the required documents, you can apply for France visa from UK through the following steps.
Fill out the Application Form
The form can be obtained at the local French embassy or consulate. Filling it out online is more convenient. Click the “Start your visa application” button and register or log in.
The form will gather your personal information, job details, previous visa information, plans for staying, contact information, and sponsorship. It also presents the required documents and application fees. Make sure to fill out all required fields with an asterisk. All information you provide must be true and accurate. After completing the form, print it out and sign it.
Book a France Visa Appointment
As walk-in applications are not acceptable in the UK, applicants must schedule an appointment with the visa application centres. The applications for France visa from UK will be forwarded to the French Consulate General in London through the visa centres and it will make the final decision. The appointment can be made up to 6 months in advance. To ensure enough time for the authority to review your request, it is suggested to schedule the booking at least 2 weeks before your trip. We will talk about how to book a France Schengen visa appointment in the next section.
Attend the France Visa Appointment
On the date of the appointment, bring all required documents as well as the appointment confirmation receipt to the selected visa centre. Applicants aged 12 should appear in person. You will submit fingerprints, take a biometric photo, and pay the application fees. The whole process usually takes 20 minutes.
Track your Application
After submitting the visa applications, track its progress on the France-Visas. You will learn whether it has been transferred to the Consulate Generate, is being processed, approved, or delivered. Additionally, tracking the status can also help you respond in time if the authority requires extra information or documents.
How to Book France Visa Appointment
The French Consulate in London outsourced visa application submissions to TLScontact, so applicants need to schedule an appointment with one of the three visa application centres in the UK on TLScontact website. Please note that the application must be filled before booking the appointment. Here is an instruction on how to book a France visa UK appointment.
- Visit TLScontact and select a center among London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
- Register and create an account. If you already have an account, skip this step and login.
- Choose priority service if you want which means shorter processing time.
- Choose a desired date on the calendar and then the time slot from the right side. Only one slot can be selected for each application.
- Click on the “Confirm” button to view the order summary. You can still change your selection and add extra services. If not, click on “Confirm” to proceed.
- Fulfill payment online if you choose any paid service.
- Receive a confirmation email in your registered email.
How to Create France Visa Photo Online
According to the France visa requirements for UK, two 35×45 biometric photos taken within the last 6 months are needed. As it helps the authority to verify your identity, it must comply with a set of official specifications, including dimensions, background, photo quality, lighting, position, dress code, and so on. If you decide to take a visa photo by yourself, AiPassportPhotos, an online passport photo tool, will help you make a qualified one. In this case, you don’t need to look around for a photographer or wait in a long line at a photo store. Let’s see how to use it.
- Visit AiPassportPhotos France Visa Photo Processor with a mobile device or computer.
- Take a photo according to the instructions and requirements on this page.
- Click on the “Upload a Photo” button from the local file.
- Wait for a few seconds during which it checks photo compliance and resizes the photo automatically.
- Preview the result and download it.
- Print out the photo at a photo store or online.
How Long Does It Take to Get a France Visa
The waiting time ranges from several weeks to months depending on the visa type, services, completeness of the application, and the number of applications in the visa center. Generally speaking, your request will be processed within 15 days after it is submitted. If the authority needs extra proof to finish the background checks, it might be extended to up to 45 days. For more exact information, please check the application status on the official website.
How Much is France Visa Fee in UK?
The fees for France visa from UK consist of administrative costs raised by the authority and service fees raised by the service providers. Children under 6, foreign spouses of French citizens, and foreign family members of EU/EEA and Swiss nationals are exempted from the visa fees. Here is a detailed price list.
| Types | Full Visa Fees | Reduced Visa Fees |
| Short-stay visa to Metropolitan France | €80 (for applicants above 12 years old) | €40 (for applicants between 6 and 12) |
| Short-stay visa to Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Saint Martin and Saint-Barthélemy | €60 (for applicants above 12 years old) | €35 (for applicants between 6 and 12) |
| Short-stay visa for New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte andFrench Southern and Antarctic Lands | €9 | / |
| Long-stay visa | €99 | €50 (for students admitted by a Center for Studies) |
| Extra service | Up to € 40 | / |
What to Do If My France Visa is Rejected
Visa application refusal is depressing, but it does happen. Being rejected does not mean you are impossible to travel to France. Confronted with the negative result, try to figure out whether you can appeal to it.
- Understand Why You Are Rejected
Common reasons include insufficient proof, inaccurate information, invalid supporting documents, doubts about the purpose of traveling, unfavorable traveling history, etc. Finding out the refusal reason helps you solve the problem effectively. It is usually stated in the rejection notification. If not, ask the visa center for details.
- Seek Professional Help
You are supposed to file an appeal within a limited time (usually 2 months upon notification or application) to the French Consulate. To save time and increase the chance of being approved, you can consult an immigration lawyer who can provide professional suggestions and guide you through the whole process.
- Draft an Appeal Letter
It is important to persuade the authorities to reconsider your application. The letter should be polite, honest, concise, and to the point. Explain why you think it unreasonable to be rejected and specify details of your situation. Never exaggerate or provide false information, otherwise, you will rejected once again or even prohibited from applying for the visa again.
- Prepare Extra Supporting Documentation
You have to provide additional documents or modify the previous ones according to the reasons for rejection. Keep in mind to include only related and authentic evidence to support your appeal.
- Submit the Appeal and Wait for the Result
The appeal letter and supporting documents should be submitted to the French consulate or embassy before the deadline. During this process, don’t book your trip unless you are approved. Sometimes you have to have an interview with the visa officer. The visa will be issued if your appeal succeeds. Otherwise, challenge again or submit another application.
FAQ
Q: How many times can I enter France with a Schengen visa?
A: It depends on your visa type. You are allowed to enter once with a single-entry visa, twice with a double-entry visa, and unlimited times with a multi-entry visa during a 180-day period.
Q: Can I travel to France from UK with UK residence permit?
A: Yes, if you are holding a passport issued by visa-free countries to France.
Q: Can I work on France visa?
A: Yes, if you hold a work permit or residence permit.
Summary
When traveling to France from UK, foreign travelers from visa-required countries are supposed to obtain a France visa. The entry permit type varies according to your purpose of travel and length of stay. To apply for a France visa from UK, you should prepare all necessary documents, fill out the application form, book a France visa appointment, and submit the application at the visa center. Make sure everything you provide is complete and authentic in case of being rejected.
Erin Lo