Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- TLScontact operates UK visa application centres on behalf of multiple European governments.
- It primarily handles Schengen and national long-stay visas for France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy and selected others.
- TLScontact handles biometrics, document submission and passport return only. Visa decisions are made by the relevant embassy or consulate.
- UK centres are in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, although country coverage varies by city.
- Most TLScontact applications start on the destination country's government portal, then move to TLScontact for biometrics.
Address and Contact Details
TLScontact does not operate one single UK office. Different countries are served from different premises, with a hub in London and additional regional centres in Manchester and Edinburgh. Some centres host multiple country desks, while others are dedicated to a single country.
To find the current address for the country you are applying to, open uk.tlscontact.com and select your destination country. The portal displays the full address, postcode, opening hours and accessibility notes.
Verify the current TLScontact address at uk.tlscontact.com before travelling. Country-specific phone numbers and emails are published per country on the same portal.
Countries and Visa Types Handled
TLScontact in the UK is the official partner for several European governments. Countries it commonly handles include:
- France - Schengen and national long-stay visas.
- Germany - Schengen and national visas (in partnership with the German Embassy appointment system).
- Belgium - Schengen visas.
- Netherlands - Schengen and MVV long-stay visas.
- Luxembourg - Schengen visas.
- Switzerland - Schengen visas (Switzerland is part of Schengen).
- Portugal - Schengen and D-type long-stay visas including D7, D2 and D8.
- Italy - Schengen and national visas in select periods or partial cooperation.
- Selected other European destinations - check uk.tlscontact.com for the current list.
UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit Schengen countries for short tourism stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. TLScontact is needed for stays beyond 90 days, work, study, family reunion, and for nationalities not enjoying Schengen-visa-free entry.
How to Book an Appointment
- Open the destination country's official visa portal first. For France, that is france-visas.gouv.fr. For Germany, the embassy appointment system. For the Netherlands, the IND or VFS-equivalent portal. For Portugal, the AIMA portal.
- Complete the online application form and obtain your reference number.
- Open uk.tlscontact.com and create an account.
- Enter your destination country reference number and personal details.
- Pay the TLScontact service fee online.
- Book a date, time and UK centre.
- Print the appointment letter with barcode.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Printed TLScontact appointment confirmation with barcode.
- Current passport with at least three months validity beyond the intended departure from Schengen and at least two blank pages.
- Old passports if requested.
- Printed and signed visa application form.
- Passport-style photographs to Schengen specification (35mm x 45mm, biometric).
- Proof of UK residency.
- Schengen travel insurance with minimum 30,000 euros medical cover for the duration of stay.
- Supporting documents for the visa category: hotel and flight bookings, sponsor letter, employer letter, bank statements, university acceptance, marriage and birth certificates.
Processing Times and Fees
Schengen visa fees are set centrally by the EU and currently sit at 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children aged 6 to 11 (under 6 is free), payable in pounds at TLScontact at the current exchange rate. National long-stay D-type visa fees vary by country. TLScontact service fees in the UK are charged in addition to consular fees.
Processing time for a standard Schengen visa is 15 calendar days, extendable to 45 days if further checks are needed. National long-stay visas can take significantly longer, sometimes 30 to 90 days for work, study or family reunion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is TLScontact part of the UK or EU government?
No. TLScontact is a private outsourcing company that runs visa application centres on behalf of foreign governments. It does not make visa decisions.
Do I need a Schengen visa as a UK passport holder for a holiday in France?
No. UK passport holders can visit any Schengen country visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Long stays, work, study and family reunion require a visa via TLScontact.
Why do I have to fill in two portals?
The destination country's portal collects the application data and consular fee. TLScontact handles biometrics, document submission and return logistics. They are two separate systems by design.
Can I attend any TLScontact centre regardless of where I live in the UK?
Generally yes, although some countries (notably France) require you to use the centre that covers your UK postcode jurisdiction. Check the country page before booking.
Does TLScontact handle UK visa applications too?
No. UK visa applications are handled by UK Visas and Immigration via a different commercial partner network (TLScontact, VFS Global or others depending on the country of application).
How We Verified This
We cross-referenced uk.tlscontact.com, France-Visas, the German Embassy in London, the IND Netherlands, AIMA Portugal, and gov.uk foreign travel advice for Schengen countries. Country coverage and fees can change, so we have pointed readers to the official portals for current information.
