In the UK the visa application for traveling to France is controlled by the French Consulate General in London where all the processing is done. As a citizen of the UK, you need to submit your visa application to the TLScontact, which has been appointed to process the visa application.
In recent years, the visa liberation policies for non-EU countries have been slightly decreased for the number of countries whose citizens require visas to trip to Europe.
Below, you can find all the details of the requirements and guidelines for UK citizens to get a visa for traveling to France.
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Who needs a visa to travel to France from the UK?
- UK citizens those are holding a UK passport doesn’t require a visa to entering to France.
- UK residents of many specific nationalities need to have a Schengen visa for traveling to France from the UK.
Who can apply for a France visa from the UK?
Citizens of the Schengen-free area who resides in the UK, planning a trip to France need to apply for a France visa. The primary requirement is that you need to have a valid UK residents permit for at least three months from the date you are planning for the visit.
If you have a three months UK visa then you can extend the visa and can apply for a France visa from the UK. But, you must apply for the extension before your visa gets expired.
You must apply for a French visa at the Consulate or French Visa Embassy in the UK if:
- France is the only destination country in the Schengen area
- France is your only destination
- France is the first Schengen country that you are planning to visit. Or if you are planning to stay for a longer period in France.
If you are planning to stay in France for more than 980 days then you need to apply for a residency permit to France, not a Schengen visa.
Please make sure that if you are not a resident of the UK you must apply for your visa to the French Embassy/ consulate/ VAC in your home residential country.
Requirements for the visa to France from the UK:
These documents you need to keep obtaining a France visa from the UK.
- You need to keep a valid passport that must have been issued within the last ten years. The passport has two full blank pages; one for the visa stamp and one extra spare page. And also your passport should be valid for another three months from the date you are leaving the Schengen area.
- You must keep one valid UK residence permit or any other ID card. The residence permit must be valid for the next three months from the date you are planning to leave the Schengen area.
- You need to fill up one French visa application form and then print out two copies of it. Then you need to check the form carefully and sign it at the end.
- You need to keep one passport-format photograph.
- A cover letter where you have to mention your purpose for the trip and when you are planning to come back from the Schengen area.
- Proof of hotel booking in France or rental agreements.
- You need to provide one French travel insurance that states that you are covered with a medical and respiration emergency of 30.000 euros within the whole Schengen area.
- A recent statement of the UK bank account states that you have funds of at least 65 euros per person per day spent in France.
Depending on the Employee status in the UK, you need to provide some additional documents for visa application to France.
For UK employees:
- Employment contract
- Present UK bank statement for the recent 6 Months
- Leave permission from the employer
- Income Tax certificate deducted from the source of the salary
For International students in the UK:
- Proof of enrollment
- No objection certificate from the university
For the self-employed:
- A copy of the license of the business
- Bank statement for the latest 6 months
- Income Tax return
How to apply for a Schengen visa in France from the UK?
To apply for a French visa from the UK, you need to follow the guidelines:
- First, among the available variety of French visas, you need to figure out which short-term visa you need. There is plenty of visa for traveling to France in the UK.
- You need to apply to the Consulate/French Embassy for a French visa.
- You can apply for a French visa as earlier as possible. You can lodge your French visa application six months before you are planning the trip. Otherwise, you can lodge a visa application at least 20 working days before the date of your trip.
- Then you need to keep all the mandatory French visa documents for UK residents.
- Then you have to make an appointment at the Consulate/ French visa application center in the UK. You can fix this visa appointment online, over the phone, or in person.
- Then, you need to attend the interview on the day of your appointment. Remember that the interview is a crucial part of the visa application. So you need to reach the visa application center on time and try not to be nervous.
- You have to pay the French visa fee.
- You need to wait for the processing of your French visa.
Schengen Visa fees for UK residents:
Since France is in the Schengen zone so the fees for the visa are the same as the other Schengen area.
Adult: 73 £ or 80 Euros
Children between 6 to 12 years: 36.5£ or 40 Euros
Children between 0 to 6 years: free
FAQ-
Do you need a visa to visit France from the UK?
Ans: UK citizens don’t require a visa to enter France. But, if you are a UK resident then you must have a visa to visit France from the UK.
How much costs a visa to France from the UK?
Ans: France belongs to the Schengen area. So the fees for French visas are the same as the Other Schengen areas. You need to pay for an adult French visa 73 £, for a child of 6 to 12 ages is 36.5 £ and there is no fees for children 0 to 6 years old age group.
Wrap Up:
As you can see, in this article we have provided all the relevant information that you require for a French visa application from the UK. I
f you are a UK citizen then you don’t require a Schengen visa for getting entered France. UK residents can stay in any Schengen area without having a visa for 90 days. But if they need to stay there for more than 90 days then they also need to apply for a French visa.
But, if you are a resident of the UK then you must apply for a French visa for entering the France.
