Documents for the appointment

Please note that we have provided information, not advice. No warranty is implied.

New in 2024

• Recent feedback is that some TLS offices are asking for the email notifications that TLS sent you a day or so before the appointment

• One person said that a hard-copy was quicker than finding it on your phone 

• The consulate asked for more documentation about a second home, see link

General Points

• Documents may be provided in English or French

• All copies must be on single sided A4, even if this means large blank areas; don't try to squeeze two different things onto a single page.  

• If the same document is needed for more than one applicant then a copy is needed for each applicant. Documents are NOT returned so take the original and the number of copies needed. Documents must NOT be stapled 

• Documents must be submitted in the order listed on the France Visas registration receipt.

• Missing or unsatisfactory documents may require you to attend the appointment again

• Keep several copies of your passport(s) for your own use whilst your passport is with the French Consulate

• Each person will need 30 to 50 pages to be printed; consider having spare printer cartridges available

This step can take a long time - don't leave it too late

A brief survey in early 2023 showed that about 60% of people took 4-8 hours to compile their documents and another 30% took 8-12 hours. The elapsed time may be much longer if you have to wait for documents to be sent to you. 

EHIC

• Check the dates of your EHIC!  You can apply for a GHIC up to 9 months in advance; this is the official link

• In 2023 people were refused visa because their EHIC ran out too soon

Other things to consider:

• Printer:  You will need to prepare a lot of documents for the appointment and so will need access to a printer. 

• Scanner: You will have to copy some documents using a phone or a scanner

• Originals: You will have to find the original of a few documents 

• Bank Statements: You will need three months of statements and maybe a brief guide to how your the pages you are submitting demonstrate your income or savings.

• The good news is that documents will be accepted in English of French

VLS-T and VLS-TS

France Visas require the applicant to provide the same documents for both a VLS-T and a VLS-TS when used for tourist purposes. The principle difference is that an EHIC meets the VLS-T insurance requirements whereas the VLS-TS requires insurance as defined below

This page is written from a VLS-T perspective but it is  applicable to the VLS-TS when used for a tourist visitor. A VLS-TS for any other purpose may require other documents; this detail is outside the scope of this website.

Make the most of the opportunity

The documentation pack is crucial to the success of your visa application and short-cutting can easily cause delay, inconvenience, or the application being refused. 

Put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer/assessor  

• Can they find and quickly check that all the documents needed are present?

• Do the documents conform to what is expected, if not is an explanation given?

• Is the detailed information easy to find?

You want them to give you the benefit of any doubt rather than give them an excuse to say no!

We have provided further information here

Do not forget to ensure your photos are compliant. Details are here 

Official documents from the France-Visas application 

• In addition to the documents listed on the France-Visa website, the end of the application process also stipulates that two more documents are needed. 1) the Application and 2) the registration receipt. This receipt is also a document checklist. 

• They can be obtained by logging into France Visas; selecting the icon which will display the PDF file containing both documents and then printing them out for each applicant. 

• They should be placed at the start of the document pack

• Do not sign the application form until requested to do so by TLS at the appointment.

Official Supporting Documents

The list below was taken from the France Visas website on 29/12/2023 including typos

• PLEASE NOTE THAT THE WORDS ARE A DIRECT COPY FROM THE WEBSITE

• Some paragraphs have been separated with bullets for clarity 

• Words of explanation have been added

Pre-requisites 

• A travel document, issued less than 10 years ago, containing at least two blank pages, with a period of validity at least 3 months longer than the date on which you intend to leave the Schengen Area or, in the case of a long stay at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa requested.  

• Be sure to transmit (scan) ALL PAGES of your travel document containing visas, entry and exit stamps or any other inscription. i.e. take copies of the passport pages. You can copy two double passport page per A4 page.

• It is known that TLS sometimes reject copies of passport pages with just entry and exit stamps HOWEVER the official stance is all pages with stamps are needed. It is better to have too many pages than too few as copying them at the appointment is both time consuming and can be expensive.

• Make sure that the passport is signed

• In February 2023 TLS Edinburgh advised that you cannot have two concurrent visas for countries that are in the Schengen Area

• If you had a French Long Stay visa in a now expired passport [aka old passport] then take that passport to the appointment and make it known to TLS as they may wish to copy the old visa page

• ID photograph. (feedback in 2023 was that 3 photos for each applicant were requested in Edinburgh)

• If you are not a national of your country of residence: proof that you are legally resident in that country 

  •  (e.g. Biometric residence permit) and if applicable proof that you are in the process to renew it or proof that your residency permit has been extended:written confirmation from UKVI of your “immigration status” allowing you to stay beyond the date indicated on your BRP card. In the latter case, the applicant has to get a share code from UKVI in order for the Consulate of France to check the immigration status. 

• If you have an official travel document, a note verbale is required. (This applies only if you have an official (ie government or diplomatic passport. A note verbale is an official inter-governmental or inter-agency letter with a prescribed format issued by Embassies. Hence it does not apply for most applicants) 

Purpose of travel/stay

• Promise not to exercise any professional activity in France

  • This must be a standalone document

  • The text to use is "I promise not to work or engage in professional activity while in France." 

  • It needs to be signed and dated

  • Technically it should be handwritten but experience shows that typed copy is accepted

• If applicable accompanied by a letter explaining your project. 

  • If you are not a second homeowner or boat owner you need to provide a credible explanation as to why you need a 4-6 month visa. See this page. 

• Proof of your socio-economic situation.  

  • We are unable to provide any definitive guidance about this requirement

Funds - ensure you document your income carefully 

• Last 3 months bank statements (UK account/savers) showing your full name and address, as evidence that you have enough funds for the whole duration of the stay.

• If you are financially sponsored by your spouse/partner : marriage certificate and bank statements of your spouse/partner.

• February 2025 update  - Joint Bank Accounts

  1. If you are married then a copy of your marriage certificate is helpful but not essential

  2. If you are unmarried and live at the same address then just provide a copy of the joint bank account in each pack

  3. If you are unmarried and DO NOT live at the same address - we do not have enough information to answer this situation

• December 2022 update.  

  1. Where appropriate include evidence of savings, P60, Pension Statements, Payslips 

  2. An applicant was recently refused a visa on the basis of income.  

  3. It appear that they just provided bank statements without any or with just minimal guidance as to how they were interpreted. 

  4. Put yourself in the official's shoes - have you provided the information that they will need in order to easily assess your income and/or savings?

  5. Don't require them to find things (highlight them) or add things up (provide the calculation)   

• Feedback from an interviewee was TLS would like to see your French bank account if you have one (added 02/04/2021).

• The scale of the income requirements are defined here

Accommodation

• Proof of residency of the host in France: rental agreement or property title or, if applicable, statement signed by the host confirming the establishment in France. 

• Any particuliar situation will require an explaination letter. (website has typos!) 

• Second home owners need to provide evidence of your ownership of your property - see detail here 

• Boat owners are advised to include full proof of ownership (copies of bill of sale, boat registration documents, insurance certificates etc) as proof of accommodation, as well as any potential passage plans. The address where the boat is on arrival (if kept in France) plus a statement from the relevant authority (Capitainerie/Mairie) will serve as an initial address, together with the boat name. If arriving at a channel port for an extended cruise either inland or coastal provide this information in the explanation letter, together with the boat name. (information provided by a member of the Cruising Association in January 2023) 

Travel health insurance 

• For stays in France up to 6 months : UK-insured reciprocal healthcare entitlement documents (valid EHIC / GHIC).

• For stays over 6 months : Private Health insurance covering the entire validity of the visa (up to 1 year), except for retirees receiving a British retirement pension who may provide the S1 Form delivered by the NHS.

Other Documents

Request a visa for 4 or 5 months

Second Homeowner / Motorhomer form

• The French Consulate require you to complete a special TLS form at the appointment. The content is subject to change.

If you have a history of surname changes

• If your surname has been  changed other than on first marriage (such as reverting back to maiden after divorce, or second married name) then take your birth certificate with you and copies for the document pack. TLS will choose where to insert it.

Keep cover pages to a minimum 

• There is a temptation to add cover pages at the start or between sections.  TLS often remove them from the pack. The author's experience was the one they retained was the one relating to financial documents. 

Document Header 

• Many people add the FRAI....... number and applicant name to the top of each page in case the pack gets dropped and needs to be reassembled.  Simply create a header page and copy.  The put the page into your printer and print on top of it. 

Document Handling by TLS 

• TLS place documents in order in a single folder after they have been checked. Hand documents over in the order of the checklist. Some offices want documents section by section, Edinburgh take all document in a single folder

• TLS need to affix photos to a particular document therefore do not stick your photos to a piece of paper. If you have a block of photos do not cut them out, hand them to TLS who will use a special clippers to cut out the photo. 

• In 2023 and 2025 Edinburgh preferred to take 3 photos. 

• A photocopy of your passport is required in addition to providing your passport; two copies are required if you are sponsoring your partner. Copy the picture & opposing page open flat onto A4 sized paper. There is no need to enlarge the image to fill the whole page. 

• Note that you should make three extra copies of the passport for use after the appointment

Feedback from those who have attended the appointment

1. Documents are NOT returned so do not take originals and expect to get them back. 

2. Remember to take a print out of latest bank statement even if you only receive them electronically. They need to show your name and address

3. TLS would like to see your French bank account if you have one.

4. A number of people have reported being specifically asked for their marriage certificate; this is an official requirement if you have a joint bank account.

5. People have used their tax d'habitation to demonstrate that they have a second home and a utility bill.

6. Documents are needed for each applicant. One document cannot be "shared" across applications, a copy must be provided for each applicant. 

7. Do NOT staple documents OR use paperclips - keep everything loose-leaf.

8. Take originals of marriage certificates, etc plus copies that TLS can retain.

9. Take copies of your EHIC/GHIC plus the original so TLS can see it.