TLS Visit (Appointment)

This page was last updated in February 2024 based on information known at the time. This information may become out of date over time

Copy your passport before the appointment

• Make at least three copies of each passport or scan it so you can reprint them as needed, use colour if possible.

• You will need one copy to collect your own passport.

• You will need a second copy if you are collecting a passport for someone else (a driving license may be used as an alternative)

• The third copy is a spare.

Reminder emails before the Appointment

• You should receive a reminder email 3 days and 1 day in advance; TLS frequently ask to see an email when you first arrive at the centre.

• If you do not seem to have it check junk mail!

• If you don't get an email then when at the appointment verify with TLS that they hold the correct email address for you as they send out important emails after the appointment.

Children under 12 years of age

• This is a quotation from an email received from TLS on 01/02/2022.

• Personal appearance is mandatory for all visa applicants, unless you are exempted from biometric enrolment.  

• Children up to 12 years of age. Biometric enrolment is not required.

• There is a edge case of what happens if the child has a 12th birthday during the visa period - that is another question to TLS! 

Photos

• Lots of people get this wrong, don't be one of them.

• Do not wear polo neck jumpers to the appointment in case your photos are rejected and have to be taken again

• Check out what to do and what not to do: here  

The Appointment

• When planning your trip and parking you need to assume that it could take 3 or 4 hours if there are issues on the day. More information is provided in sub-pages for Edinburgh, London and Manchester

• The purpose of the appointment is to a) verify you have provided the correct documents b) check that your photos are compliant (to prevent them being rejected by the Consulate) and c) take your fingerprints. You are not cross-examined.   

• Biometrics from an earlier visa are NOT reused

• You are required to turn your phone off

• TLS will be handling a range of visas on the day.

• At Manchester and London you have to stand as they review the documents, people report that there is not much space. Edinburgh is a much smaller set-up and the documents are reviewed from a sitting position.

Before you leave the TLS office

• At the end of the appointment you will be given a France-Visas acknowledgement of fingerprinting and a two-page TLS checklist.  

  • This checklist contains words to the effect that you acknowledge that an omission of documents may result in your visa application being denied.

  • It is also a receipt for your passport.

• Ensure that ALL the square tick boxes have been ticked.  

• Keep the TLS checklist safe - it is needed when collecting the passports.

• Check the opening hours when passports can be collected; the days/time mat vary by office 

After the Appointment

• You should receive a confirmation email that the documents have been sent to the Consulate - follow up with TLS if you do not receive the email as it contains important information.

• You may get emails from the Consulate requesting information - keep an eye out for them and watch your junk mail.

Return of passports

• You will get an email notification that passports are ready; for privacy and other reasons you are not told the outcome.

• Passports can generally be expected to be returned in 10-14 working days though a few people had to wait longer in 2022 so don't rely on being returned within 14 days.

• You have the option of Royal Mail Special Delivery service; making a return visit or collection by a 3rd party. You can choose whether to use the courier service at the appointment.

Documents needed when applicant collects their own passport

• The document checklist handed over by TLS at the tail end of the appointment which was the de-facto receipt for your passport

• Copy of passport OR bring driving license and an A4 copy of the DL which is retained by TLS

Additional documents when passport collected by 3rd party including by spouse/partner

• For each passport collected a Letter of Authority to collect passport signed by applicant. This must be a wet signature; an email will not do 

• An official ID, either driving licence or passport

• An A4 copy of the ID which is retained by TLS

Contacting TLS

The general  phone number is +44 (0)800 066 8788. TLS advise that it is available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 17:00. 

Like many organisations TLS prefers a form to be used to make initial email contact. This enables a "case" to be set up and tracked". An automated acknowledgement is created, you may need to check your junk file. 

All centres support general inquiries, but if you wish to contact a specific centre then use one of the three links below:

• Edinburgh https://visas-fr.tlscontact.com/inquiry/gb/gbMAN2fr 

• London: https://visas-fr.tlscontact.com/inquiry/gb/gbLON2fr 

• Manchester: https://visas-fr.tlscontact.com/inquiry/gb/gbMAN2fr

You with probably get an automated acknowledgement but it might not contain any information specific to you inquiry. Therefore, it is your own interests to take a screenshot of what was sent in case this become important at a later stage.

The quality and effectiveness of the responses can vary considerably.

For application specific inquiries TLS requires your TLScontact application reference number. This can be found when signing into the online TLS account and is on your appointment booking confirmation letter.  When phoning TLS will expect you to be using the mobile number that was quoted in the application form. 

What is TLS?

• TLS is short for TLSContact which is the business name of a global company that provides visa handling facilities for a range of countries. T

• They are part of Teleperformance.com.