Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- The French Embassy in London is at 58 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7JT
- Visa applications run through the France-Visas portal at france-visas.gouv.fr
- Short-stay Schengen and Long Stay (D) routes are both covered in London
- Talent Passport applications for skilled workers are filed from the same portal
- The switchboard is +44 (0)20 7073 1000, with the visa section booked separately
The French Embassy in London supports UK-based applicants applying for Schengen short stays and Long Stay visas for study, work, family reunion and the Talent Passport routes. Applications are channelled through the France-Visas portal, then booked into the Knightsbridge premises or the relevant TLScontact appointment centre depending on category. The information below sets out the address, contact details, visa types, online process and current document expectations.
Address and Contact Details
The chancery occupies 58 Knightsbridge, a large building shared with the embassy's cultural and economic sections. Visa applicants enter through the visa section once their France-Visas appointment is confirmed.
Address: 58 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7JT
Phone: +44 (0)20 7073 1000
Website: https://uk.ambafrance.org
Visa booking portal: france-visas.gouv.fr
The nearest London Underground stops are Knightsbridge and Hyde Park Corner. The visa section publishes its own contact details and consular phone hours, which differ from the main switchboard.
Visa Services Available
The London visa section covers the full range of French visa categories for UK residents. Most routes funnel through the France-Visas portal, which routes the applicant to the appropriate booking centre.
- Schengen Visa (Short Stay): stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day window across the Schengen area
- Long Stay Visa (Student): the VLS-TS for higher education enrolments and exchange schemes
- Long Stay Visa (Work): including Salarie and other employment categories
- Long Stay Visa (Family): for joining a spouse, partner or family member resident in France
- Talent Passport: multi-year residence permits for skilled workers, researchers, founders and artists
How to Book an Appointment
France-Visas handles the front end of the booking process. Applicants complete the questionnaire, receive a personalised checklist, then book a slot at the relevant biometric centre, which in the UK is usually TLScontact in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
- Open france-visas.gouv.fr and create an account
- Complete the eligibility questionnaire to identify the right visa
- Fill in the online application form and save a copy
- Book an appointment at the TLScontact centre that serves the applicant's address
- Attend in person for biometrics and document submission
The embassy itself handles certain categories and complex cases directly. The personalised checklist confirms whether the appointment is at the embassy or a TLScontact centre.
Documents and Requirements
The France-Visas portal generates a tailored checklist, but a core set applies to almost every French visa filed in the UK.
- Printed France-Visas application form and receipt sheet
- Valid passport with at least three months of validity beyond the planned return and two blank pages
- Two recent biometric photographs meeting French specifications
- Proof of UK residence, such as a Biometric Residence Permit, share code or current UK visa
- Travel medical insurance with at least 30,000 EUR cover for Schengen visas
- Proof of accommodation in France, including hotel bookings or a host attestation
- Evidence of funds covering the trip or stay
- Return travel reservation
Long Stay categories layer on supporting paperwork specific to the route, including university acceptance letters, work contracts approved by French labour authorities, or marriage and birth certificates legalised as needed.
Processing Times and Fees
The embassy follows French federal visa timelines, with processing tied to category and seasonal load.
- Schengen Visa: typically 15 calendar days, extendable up to 45 days in some cases
- Long Stay Visa: commonly 2 to 8 weeks, with Talent Passport routes sometimes faster
- Standard Schengen fee: 90 EUR for adults, 45 EUR for children aged 6 to 11
- Long Stay (Student) fee: 50 EUR for many student categories under the special tariff
- Long Stay (general) fee: 99 EUR for most adult Long Stay routes
- TLScontact service charges apply on top of the embassy fee where the appointment is at their centre
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do all French visa applicants go to the embassy in London?
No. France-Visas routes the appointment to the closest accredited centre, which in the UK is usually TLScontact in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. The embassy itself handles certain complex categories.
Is the Talent Passport a single visa or several?
The Talent Passport covers several sub-categories, including skilled employees, researchers, qualified founders and artists. Each sub-category has its own document set, though all start in the France-Visas portal.
Can I apply for a French Schengen if I've already been to France?
Yes. Previous Schengen entries do not block a new application. France-Visas uses the new application's purpose and supporting documents, alongside the applicant's travel history.
What happens after a Long Stay visa is issued?
VLS-TS holders must validate the visa online within three months of arriving in France. The validation creates the residence record that supports later renewals.
Does the embassy refund fees if a visa is refused?
French visa fees are non-refundable once an application has been processed. Service fees charged by TLScontact are also non-refundable, even if the visa decision is negative.
How We Verified This
Address, phone and category details were cross-checked against the official French Embassy London site at uk.ambafrance.org and the France-Visas national portal at france-visas.gouv.fr. Fee figures reflect the published Schengen and Long Stay fee schedules.
