News
Events

NEW BIOMETRIC VISA process due to be rolled out in early Feb

The new VIS sytem means that the applicant will have to attend the TLS Contact centre to have both photos and fingerprints taken - it is anticipated that this will cause significant delays in obtaining a visa for France
>>VIS<<

PET PASSPORTS:
New animal Quarantine legislation came into force in Jan 2012. If taking your dog or cat to France from the UK it is advisable that you familiarise yourself with the new rules
>>PET PASSPORT<<

OTHER RECENT CHANGES
French Schengen visas are now only valid where endorsed in a current valid passport

It is expected that the UK will soon come into line with the rest of Europe whereby visa national's UK leave status will be required to be on the new UK ICFN biometric ID cards or in their CURRENT/ACTIVE passport

>>UKBA<<

French Schengen Visa Prices Set To Rise.

French Embassy to outsource Visa operation to TLS

TLScontact is to operate as a visa facilitation provider for the London French Embassy from October 2010.

The French consulate will cease to interface with the general public.

All standard French Schengen Visa applications to be submitted via the TLS visa centre. Biometric data capture to be introduced in early 2011

BON VOYAGE

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is mandatory that the applicant's supporting documentation for the french Schengen visa show that they have valid travel insurance cover throughout the entire proposed trip on the requested visa. The insurance MUST cover the whole of the Schengen States/countries or the whole of Europe, not just France because the visa gives access to all 25 Schengen countries/states. The policy MUST include repatriation with cover of 30,000 euros minimum.

It should be noted that an ANNUAL travel insurance policy will *qualify the applicant for a longer term multiple entry visa eg. 6 - 12 month multiple entry, whereas a SINGLE trip policy will ALWAYS result in a single trip visa being issued.

*The term of the visa issued is totally at the discretion of the French Consulate

Driving in France:

Any visa applicant driving in France or being driven to/through France by a freind or family member must present as part of their visa application the supporting documentation of the driver's proof of insurance to drive in France, the Schengen States or Europe. They must also provide proof of car ownership (log book) or a rental agreement.

CAR FERRIES

The visa applicant's name must appear on on the purchased ticket as the driver or be mentioned on the ticket receipt as a passenger. Drivers purchasing a ticket for the channel crossing need to request that the visa applicant's name be shown on the passenger listing

RAIL EUROPE

Visa Applicants needing to travel any significant distance from their initial port of entry into France, MUST show the means of transport used to get to their destination. This applies to transitting within France or on to a neighbouring country in or outside of Europe. If travelling by rail, the tickets must be presented as part of the visa application.

FLIGHTS

Travellers holding a UK residence permit should not require a visa if in transit providing that they do not exit the airport. We strongly advise that you check with the French Consulate to confirm that there have been no policy changes for UK residents in transit prior to purchasing flights that land in France.

AIRPORT PARKING

ACCOMMODATION

French Schengen visa applicants must have proof of where they are staying throughout the entire initial trip taken on the requested visa. When booking through a third party online vendor, proof of purchase from the vendor and additional proof of booking confirmation must be obtained from the actual hotel by way of email or fax directly from the hotel.

Additional proof of booking confirmation is not required when a hotel is booked directly through an established hotel chain, Euro Disney or Eurostar/Eurotunnel.