Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- TLScontact handles all French Schengen and national long-stay visa applications in the UK on behalf of the French Embassy and Consulates.
- UK centres run in London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
- Applicants must create a France-Visas account at france-visas.gouv.fr first, then book a TLScontact slot.
- UK postcode jurisdiction determines which French consulate handles your file, with London serving most of England, Manchester for the Midlands and North, and Edinburgh for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- TLScontact does not decide visas. The French consulate makes the decision.
Address and Contact Details
TLScontact runs three French visa application centres in the UK, in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The London centre has historically been on Vauxhall Bridge Road in central London, while Manchester and Edinburgh centres have been based in city centre office buildings.
To find the current address, open uk.tlscontact.com/gb/LON for London, or use the city selector for Manchester and Edinburgh. The portal shows the precise address, postcode, opening hours and accessibility notes for each centre.
Verify the current TLScontact France centre address before travelling. France-specific phone numbers and emails are published on each city page within the TLScontact site.
Countries and Visa Types Handled
TLScontact France in the UK processes the full range of French visas, including:
- Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for tourism, business or visits up to 90 days, for nationalities not visa-exempt.
- Long-stay national visa (Type D) for stays over 90 days.
- Student long-stay visa (VLS-TS Etudiant) with the residence permit equivalent.
- Work and salaried activity visas, including Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) for skilled professionals, researchers and investors.
- Family reunion visa (Regroupement Familial).
- Spouse of French national visa (Conjoint de Francais).
- Visitor long-stay visa (VLS-TS Visiteur) for non-working long stays.
- Working Holiday visa (where bilateral agreements apply).
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism in France for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. TLScontact applies to long stays, work, study and family reunion.
How to Book an Appointment
- Open france-visas.gouv.fr and create an account.
- Complete the long online application form.
- Pay the consular visa fee on France-Visas.
- Download the application confirmation and reference number.
- Open uk.tlscontact.com and create an account.
- Select the appropriate UK centre based on your postcode jurisdiction.
- Pay the TLScontact service fee online.
- Book your date and time slot.
- Print the TLScontact appointment letter with barcode.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Printed TLScontact appointment letter with barcode.
- Printed and signed France-Visas application form.
- Current passport with at least three months validity beyond intended return and at least two blank pages.
- Old passports if requested.
- Passport-style photographs to Schengen specification (35mm x 45mm, biometric).
- Proof of UK residency (BRP, vignette, settled status, or utility bill).
- Schengen travel insurance with at least 30,000 euros medical cover.
- Supporting documents per visa category: accommodation booking, employer letter, bank statements (typically three months), university acceptance letter (CampusFrance for students), employment contract, marriage and birth certificates.
Processing Times and Fees
Schengen visa fee is 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children 6 to 11 (under 6 free), payable in sterling at the current rate. Long-stay national visa fee is 99 euros (with reduced rates for students). TLScontact service fee in the UK is in addition.
Processing time for a Schengen visa is normally 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 days where further checks are needed. Long-stay visas including Talent Passport, student and spouse of French national can take 2 to 6 weeks depending on category and complexity.
Featured Immigration Adviser - Paid Placement
This placement is reserved for a regulated immigration adviser specialising in TLScontact France visa applications. OISC-registered firms only. Enquire about this slot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose any French TLScontact centre, or do I need to use my regional one?
France uses consular jurisdiction by UK postcode. London serves most of England, Manchester serves the Midlands and North of England, and Edinburgh serves Scotland and Northern Ireland. Use the centre that matches your postcode.
How long can UK nationals stay in France without a visa?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, family visits or short business. Longer stays require a long-stay visa via TLScontact.
What is VLS-TS?
It is a long-stay visa that acts as a residence permit for the first year in France. After arrival, you must validate it online with OFII or via the ANEF portal.
What is the Talent Passport visa?
Passeport Talent is a long-stay visa covering skilled workers, researchers, investors, founders of innovative companies and several other professional categories. It can be valid up to four years.
Do I need to attend in person or can someone send my application?
Biometrics must be taken in person at TLScontact. Some categories allow a third party to drop off complete files where biometrics are already on record from a previous Schengen visa.
How We Verified This
We cross-referenced uk.tlscontact.com (London, Manchester, Edinburgh), france-visas.gouv.fr, the French Embassy in London and gov.uk foreign travel advice for France. Schengen fees and Talent Passport categories change over time, so we have linked to the official portals for live information.
