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How to apply for a French visa in the UK? (Updated in September 2022)
Ten Cats' Reminder:
It is recommended to purchase insurance at least 6 months before your UK visa expires. Not all travel insurance policies are suitable, as most insurance in the UK is intended for local residents.
It is advisable to apply for the visa 3 months before your UK visa expires to avoid possible rejection.
The duration of the visa granted may vary depending on the visa officer. Generally, France offers visas for 1 month, 20+ days, 3 months, 6 months, or 1 year. I was granted a 3-month visa at the time.
The common factor for all visa types is to prove that you will not stay there for too long. Generally, if you can demonstrate this, you are less likely to be denied.
Currently, all French visas in the UK, as well as visas for other countries, are not directly processed by the embassy but are handled by outsourced agencies. The advantage of these visa centers is speed, with visas typically being issued within 2 to 3 working days. If you want it faster, you can pay additional service fees.
Make an appointment at the visa center. The French visa center is a separate location, unlike the visa centers for countries like Germany, Italy, Spain, and others, which are outsourced to another agency and are crowded in one building.
When printing, print each page separately. It is advisable not to print double-sided. Black and white or color are both acceptable. Prepare them in advance and keep them in a bag. It is recommended to prepare an extra copy, just in case.
Steps to Apply for a French Visa:
First, visit the link [https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/\]. You can switch between Chinese and English at the top right corner.
Click on "Fill in the online application form" and register according to the requirements, activate your email, and fill in all the information.
After completing the form, double-check for any errors and submit. Once submitted, download and print all the documents.
Return to the homepage and find "Schedule an appointment." Select the UK and choose "Whom should I contact?" Then select "BOOK AN APPOINTMENT."
The page will redirect you to the TLS website. Choose a city and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Select "I have completed my France-Visas form."
You will see "Create your TLScontact Account." Scroll down to the registration section and fill in the required information. Please note that the email used for registration should be different from the one used for the French visa application form, so use a different email for registration.
After scheduling the appointment, download and print the appointment confirmation.
Reminder: It is possible to schedule an appointment in advance with TLS, but remember to prepare all the required documents and estimate your time in advance.
Prepare the materials and go to the appointment at the scheduled time:
Printout of the document obtained after submitting the application to France-visas, one application form, and one application form receipt.
Printout of the TLS appointment confirmation (Note: It is recommended to finalize the appointment time and avoid changing it later. Although it is possible to change the appointment time for free, it can only be done once).
Original passport and two copies of the main page (Note: If you have previously obtained a French visa, make copies of the French visa page. If you have an old passport, bring it along and make two copies in advance).
Original and copy of BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) (Note: It is recommended that the visa validity period should be at least three months after the return date).
Recent letter of confirmation from the school, i.e., student confirmation letter (Generally, each university in the UK has a student system where you can self-print the student confirmation letter. You can also change the recipient to "To France Embassy" if possible. If you cannot change it, you can use the general letter. If you are unable to obtain it, contact the student center).
It is advisable to bring several passport-sized photos with a white background (Bring both 2-inch and small 2-inch photos, as they usually require passport-sized photos at the center. They may collect 1 or 2 photos on-site, and if the staff finds that your photos do not meet the requirements, they will ask you to retake them using the self-service machine at the center. Remember to bring the appropriate cash. Avoid wearing pure white clothes and consider wearing a collared outfit that is easy to remove, and avoid wearing heavy makeup. This is because fingerprints and photos will be taken).
Hotel accommodation proof (Make sure it corresponds to your itinerary. You should have accommodation proof for the number of days you will be staying. You can make a reservation using Booking.com for hotels that allow refunds or changes. After making the reservation, you can modify it in the background and add the names of you and your companions. Make sure to write the full names that match the names in your passport. In the visa application, you need to show proof of payment, not just a reservation. Do not cancel the hotel reservation before receiving the visa).
Three months of bank statements. Calculate the funds you may need for your expenses. Generally, if the visit is of short duration, around £2000 is recommended. It is also acceptable to have around £1000 in the account. If your account is active, it is generally better to have more funds. If the account has been opened for less than three months, print the account opening proof. Make sure there are sufficient funds in the bank statements from the account opening date to the day of printing. I used NATWEST Bank, so I printed the statements directly from the online banking. Note that the funds should not be in a savings account.
Note from Ten Sheng Miao: The bank statement must have your name and address on it. After printing, get it stamped by the bank or directly print it at the bank. Some banks may not require a stamp, so ask them specifically. It is recommended to use the original document sent by the bank, but if you don't have it, you can print it at the bank. Make sure your name and address are on the statement. The more funds you have, the better, and you can transfer the money from your savings account to your current account. Generally, the more funds you have, the longer the visa duration given.
Printout of travel insurance. It is essential to purchase insurance as it is a mandatory requirement. The printout should include your full name and coverage details.
Many posts mention buying insurance from the post office or websites like Money Supermarket. When applying for the visa for the first time, it is natural to be afraid of rejection, so insurance is necessary. However, post office insurance can be expensive, and some insurances are not valid for non-UK residents or non-permanent residents. Therefore, carefully read the policy before purchasing insurance. Post office insurance generally only covers UK permanent residents, which means we cannot benefit from it (unless you have permanent residency or citizenship). Insurance is a necessary document for the visa application, but many people consider it just a formality, so they buy any insurance without much thought. However, if something happens to your phone, passport, luggage, health, etc., they will not be compensated (different insurances cover different things, so you need to check the policy). These insurances generally only cover UK nationals. Many cheap insurances from Money Supermarket also only apply to UK permanent residents, so make sure to carefully read the terms and conditions. You can also purchase insurance from local companies in the UK. Ask more questions and carefully review the terms.
Proof of round-trip transportation. Whether it's an airplane ticket, Megabus, ortrain tickets, you need to provide proof of your round-trip transportation. Print out the confirmation or booking details for your ticket.
Itinerary of your trip. Prepare a detailed itinerary of your planned activities in France, including the dates, locations, and any reservations or tickets you have made for attractions or events.
Proof of financial means. Bring documents that demonstrate your financial means to cover your expenses during the trip, such as recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or proof of sponsorship if applicable.
Proof of accommodation in France. If you will be staying at a specific hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, bring a confirmation of your booking. If you will be staying with friends or family, provide a letter of invitation from your host along with their proof of residence in France.
Proof of ties to your home country. It's important to demonstrate that you have strong ties to your home country and that you have reasons to return after your trip. This can include documents such as property ownership, employment contracts, enrollment in educational institutions, or family ties.
Any additional supporting documents. If you have any other relevant documents that can support your visa application, such as previous travel history, travel insurance, or proof of language proficiency, include them as well.
Remember to make copies of all the documents you are submitting, as well as keeping the original copies for your own records. It's also a good idea to organize the documents in a logical order to make it easier for the visa officer to review your application.
Lastly, double-check the requirements and guidelines provided by the France-visas website or the French embassy/consulate where you will be submitting your application. Requirements may vary slightly depending on your specific circumstances and the location where you are applying.
Other preparations for going to France:
Currency exchange: You can go to a bank or a reputable currency exchange agency to exchange euros. It's a good idea to exchange some small change as well. If you have an account with NATWEST, the exchange rate they offer is better than some external currency exchange services, so that's a good option. Alternatively, you can use online platforms, but it's generally not recommended. You can compare exchange rates from different providers and then make a purchase. The currency will be delivered directly to your home, and if the amount exceeds £500, the delivery is usually free, and it will arrive the next day.
Mobile SIM card: You can either purchase a local SIM card in France or activate your own UK SIM card in advance. SFR's PAY AS YOU GO SIM card (French: carte sim prépayée) is affordable, but it may be challenging to use if you don't understand French or if there is no English explanation available. The mobile plans from the three major French companies, SFR, Orange, and Bouygues, tend to be expensive. Free WIFI is available at airports, train stations, and fast-food chains like Quick and McDonald's in France. To make a direct call from France to China, you need to dial 00, followed by the country code for China (86), the area code for the specific region in China, and finally, the recipient's phone number. To make a call from China to France, dial 00, followed by the country code for France (33), and then the recipient's phone number. It's important to note that you don't need to dial the initial "0" in the French phone number when making an international call; start dialing from the first digit after the "0".
