TLScontact’s role is to inform, receive and return the applications in their two visa application Centers in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. There are no consular areas and you can choose freely between the TLScontact Visa Application Centers in London, Manchester and Edinburgh

French consulate in London

Certain categories of visa applicants who do not wish to make use of the service provided by TLScontact still have the option of applying for their visas directly at the French Consulate General in London, known as direct appointments. This possibility only applies to applicants for short stay visas "spouse of a French national" and "family member of a European national".

Appointments are compulsory and must be made through TLScontact by calling (+44) 203 040 0460, Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. By leaving your contact details, option 4, a Customer Service Representative will call you back shortly, usually within a day.

Note that direct appointments are only available on Wednesday mornings and you will have to apply in person. Processing delays still apply. There is a longer appointment waiting time for the French Consulate General so you are highly advised to submit your application at TLScontact.

The Consulate General of France in London endeavors to shorten the time to obtain an appointment at TLScontact visa center. The appointment is usually available within 48 hours (working days), but it may vary during the high season.

Health conditions

Social distancing and special protective equipment are in place to preserve the health and well-being of all. Please help us protect everybody by strictly respecting those guidelines : access to the TLSContact centre will only be possible after confirmation of an appointment. You must attend at the exact time of your appointment. Wearing a face mask is recommended and you must bring your own pen. Visa and service fees must be paid by Card only.

Prepare your visit

Visa appointments can only be booked via the local outsourcing partner TLScontact . As of 1^st February 2022, the service fee must be paid when making an appointment on the TLScontact website. Select a time and date at your convenience to submit your documents at the TLScontact Visa application center. The available time slots are highlighted in blue.

At your appointment do not forget :

• Your appointment confirmation document, (to be printed) ;
• Your passport ;
• Your documents presented in order according to the the list of requirements ;
• The means of payment of the visa fees and any optional service fees.

NB : If your visa application is incomplete (i.e. missing documents), you may choose not to submit your application until you have all the required documents and come back to the Centre at a later date after making a new appointment. You will not have to pay any processing fees if you decide not to submit your application at this time. However, if you do decide to submit your incomplete application, you will be asked to sign a document indicating that your application is incomplete and that certain documents are missing.

Submitting a complete application does not guarantee that the consular authorities will grant you a visa.

Biometric data

All visas issued by France are biometric visas. Applicants who are over 12 years of age are required to appear in person at the time of their first application. The following biometric identifiers are collected: a photograph, scanned or taken at the time of the application, and 10 fingerprints, taken flat and digitized. However, it is possible to retrieve your biometric data if a previous biometric Schengen visa has been issued to you less than 59 months ago.

Children under 12 years of age: children under 12 years of age are not required to provide the biometric data, short stay Schengen visa application may be submitted by the child’s parent/legal guardian. The ISO/IEC format photograph (pdf) of the child will be scanned.

Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Public Holidays in 2022:

• Monday 3^d of January : New Year's Day (substitute day)
• Friday 15^th of April : Good Friday
• Monday 18^th of April : Easter Monday
• Monday 2^nd of May : Labour Day
• Monday 2^nd of May : Early May Bank Holiday
• Thursday 2^nd of June : Spring bank Holiday
• Friday 3^d of June : Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday
• Monday 6^th of June: Whit Monday
• Monday 29^th of August : Summer Bank Holiday
• Monday 26^th of December : Boxing Day
• Tuesday 27^th of December : Christmas Day (substitute day)

For security reasons, visa applicants are not permitted to bring any objects deemed to be a security risk for the Visa Application Centre such as :

• Any sharp objects ;
• Weapon or weapon-like objects.

The use of mobile phones, cameras and other video recording devices is strictly forbidden.

Bags may be subject to search at the entrance of the Visa Application Centre. Anyone carrying a luggage will not be authorized to enter the Visa center as bringing luggage is not permitted.

Only applicants and authorized accompanying parties (such as those providing assistance to the mobility-impaired or those requiring translation) will be allowed access to the VAC via the security checkpoint.

Children who are below 12 are not allowed in the premises of the Visa Application Center.

Once your visa application has been processed by the Consulate General of France in London, you will be notified that your passport is back in TLScontact center :

• Online on your TLScontact account that you have created ;
• Via SMS ;
• Via email.

If you have chosen to receive your application via courier, your documents will be dispatched on the same day of their arrival at the TLScontact center of London.

You will be informed as soon as the Consulate General of France in London will return your application.

There is no need to contact the consulate or the VAC on this matter.

Once informed of your passport return at the TLScontact center, you will be invited to collect it without appointment. You will need :

• Your application checklist ;
• A valid ID ;
• The birth certificate of your child/children if you wish to retrieve his/her/their passport(s).

Do not forget that if you fail to produce the original of your application checklist and a valid ID, you won’t be able to retrieve your passport.

If you wish to designate a third party to pick up your passport, your representative should bring :

• Your application checklist ;
• A photocopy of your valid ID ;
• Original and photocopy of his/her own passport, driving license or other valid ID;
• A written authorization letter signed by you.