Frequently asked questions

 As a reminder…

 A visa application cannot be fast-tracked.

 The Visa Section accepts e-confirmations of travel arrangements. Please ensure that the printout you provide shows your name, details of your reservation and proof of payment.

 The Visa section can only accept civil marriage / birth certificates.

 All documents requested must be original. If not in French or English, they must be officially translated. This translation must be certified as a true copy (bear an official stamp of approval) by either your Embassy/ Consulate or by the legalisation bureau of the Foreign Office in GB.

 The Visa Section recommends visa nationals to conserve their hotel invoices to prove their earlier stay in France.

 You may apply for your Schengen visa 2 months prior to your planned trip to France.

 All documents requested must be less than 1 month old.

 You are advised to bring your expired passports (if applicable) when you lodge your visa application.

 My Schengen visa application has been refused. What can I do?

You may, if you can produce new evidence, lodge a new application after arranging a new appointment or you may appeal against the decision by writing to the Consulate (appeal for reconsideration).

 May I lodge my visa application through a travel agency?

The Consulate General has accredited 16 travel agencies for 2009-2010 to lodge visas applications on behalf of their customers (for further informations please click here).

 I have a valid British residency. Do I need another visa to travel to France?

As the UK is not part of the Schengen group of countries, you may need a Schengen visa to travel. Please go to visa? for further information.

 My British residency/ passport expires soon. May I still be granted a visa?

A visa cannot be granted within the last 3 months of the residency/ passport and the French Consulate cannot disregard this Schengen legislation.

 I have a valid visa to reside in a Schengen country. Do I need another visa to travel to France?

No, as a resident in a Schengen country, you may travel freely within the Schengen space until the expiry date of your residency permit.

 Can I use my Schengen visa, issued by the French Consulate, to travel to Spain?

A Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely within the Schengen Space. So, as long as you were granted a multiple entry Schengen visa and that it is still valid, you may travel to the other Schengen countries. However, please note that you should always apply at the consulate of your main destination, so ensure you do travel to France with the Schengen visa the French Consulate has issued you.

 I am the holder of an emergency/ temporary travel document. Is it recognised by the French Auhorities/ can I apply for a visa to travel to France?

As it depends on your nationality, please send photocopies of your travel document and a self-addressed envelope to the Visa Section for a personalised reply.

 Why does it take so long for some nationalities to obtain their Schengen visas?

Before issuing a Schengen visa, the French Consulate General must consult the other Schengen partners. Applications are forwarded to France for this consultation, a lengthy but compulsory procedure. Be advised that this consultation will occur every time you apply for a visa.

 Do I need to show my tickets to France when I come and apply for the visa?

Yes. Please ensure to leave plenty of time between the day you apply for your visa and your travel dates (but no more than 2 months) to allow for the processing delay.

 What is the delay for a postal application?

You must send your application at least 3 weeks before your dates of travel and note that the processing could take longer. Please ensure you are eligible for a postal application before sending off your documents.

 I am separated/ divorced from my child’s other parent. Which documents do I need to bring?

For child protection, the French Consulate General requires the child’s full Birth Certificate, your passport, your ex-partner’s passport or certified copy and a parental authorisation to travel form, completed and signed by both the parents or legal guardian authorising the child to travel. This letter should be duly authenticated by a solicitor or Commissioner for Oaths, or by a Consular Officer of the applicants’ nationality. You must also provide the address and length of your stay. If you have sole custody of the child, the French Consulate General requires the child’s full Birth Certificate, your own valid passport and the court order establishing custody. Those documents may also be asked at the border of entry, so please ensure you take them along.

 My child, under 18, is travelling to France with friends. Can he apply for his visa himself?

No, he/she will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult to lodge his Schengen visa application.

 I am applying for visas for my family, i.e. myself, my wife and my son. Do we all need to be present?

For your wife, you need to consult the page ’Do I need a visa’ as it depends on her nationality. However, please note that children, under the age of 18, are not required to be present.

 I have adopted a child who hasn’t got a British passport yet. Can I apply for a visa to travel to France on his /her behalf?

The French Consulate will only issue visas to children whose adoptions have been completed in the UK.

 My British residency is not stamped onto my passport but it is on a loose sheet. Can I still apply for a visa?

As per the international practice, the UK visa must be endorsed in your actual passport or in the form of an identity card. However, if your residency stamp is in an expired passport, you may apply for your visa and travel as long as you produce both passports.

 Can I use the European Health Insurance Card, issued by the N.H.S., in lieu of the medical travel insurance?

The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance since it may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs.
As per the current legislation, visa nationals must provide a travel insurance that also covers eventual costs of medical repatriation and emergency care with a minimum coverage of 30 000 Euros. This insurance must be valid within the entire Schengen area and cover the validity of the requested visa.
Please ensure that your insurance certificate clearly states your name as well as the policy cover dates.
Be advised that if you take out an insurance valid for 4 days, your visa will be of 4 days so it is advisable to take out an annual cover policy.
The insurance can be purchased directly at the Visa Section via a direct line to a recognised insurance company, i.e. Mastercover.
If your bank account includes a travel insurance, please provide full details of the cover.

 I am going on a day trip. Do I need to provide a hotel booking?

Obviously no.

 My bank only issues statement once every 3 months and I read that to lodge a visa application, documents must be less than 1 month old. What can I do?

You will need to produce the last official statement the bank sent you, a mini-statement or an internet print-out, your card as well as your pay slips (if applicable). Be advised that the French Consulate does not accept saving accounts/credit cards statements.

 I only started my new job 2 months ago so therefore cannot provide the pay slips for the last 3 months. Is that going to be a problem?

No, as long as the letter from your employer clearly states when you started work.

 I wish to travel to France with my wife and children. Can I book an appointment for the whole family?

With the automated telephone service, 09065 540 700, £1 per min., you may book an appointment for up to 5 people. However, on the internet site, 1 appointment = 1 passport. You therefore need to book individual appointments, i.e. 1 for yourself, 1 for your wife and 1 for each of your children. Of course if your children are travelling on your passport, you only need to book 1 appointment and indicate your own details.

 I live far away from London. Is there another Visa section other than the one in London?

If you live in Scotland, you need to lodge your application via the Edinburgh Consulate. Be advised that the Visa Section, London, offers the opportunity to some counties to apply via post. For more details, check out the ’postal application’ page. _ Please note that Honorary Consuls do not deal with visa matters.

 What will happen on the day of my interview?

You must ensure that you arrive on time (even slightly earlier) to the Visa Section. You will show your appointment letter or confirmation to the security officer at the gate who will ensure that your details are on the appointment list, and then be invited to enter the Consulate.
After going through security, you will need to wait to pay the visa administrative fees (if applicable). Your passport (and proof of gratuity if you are the family member of an EU citizen) will be checked for authenticity.
You will then be directed to the second waiting room.
At the information desk, the agent will ensure that you have filled both sides of the application form, give you a tick form to fill in and then will give you a ticket to see a visa officer.
During the interview, the visa officer will examine all your supporting documents and, if necessary, will consult the manager for the final decision.
Be advised that the procedure will take a few hours and that if you decide not to wait and leave the premises, you will need to book a new appointment via the automated telephone service or via internet to complete your application.

 Where can I get the Certificate of Board and Lodging?

This certificate, known as ’attestation d’accueil’, must be obtained by the person you are visiting in France from his/ her local town hall. It is a compulsory requirement for people applying for a visa to visit family or friends. The validity of the visa you may be granted will not exceed the dates stated by the certificate. Be advised that you must produce the original certificate as it needs to be officially stamped. Note that,as the holder of a Certificate of Board and Lodging, you only need to justify of €28.10 per day spent in France.

 I am in a relationship akin to marriage. My partner is British. May I apply as the spouse of an EU national?

The subject of the Civil Partnership - that came into effect in December 2005 in the UK - and the subsequent changes in regards to visa applications are still being discussed by the Schengen partners. The French Consulate has yet to receive new directives and can therefore not allow the gratuity of the visa administrative fees nor an alleged procedure.

 I am married to an European National but I have misplaced our marriage certificate/ my spouse’s passport/ my spouse’s passport is expired. Can I still apply for a visa as the spouse of an EU National?

Note as from March 2009, The foreign spouse of a EU national (except French national) may enter France without visa if they are holding a valid travel document, a valid UK residence permit with the endorsement "family member of EEA national" and if they are meeting up or travelling with the EU national. If you do not meet the set criteria, you will need to apply for a visa to travel to France and both the spouse’s valid EU passport AND the marriage certificate are requested. However, you may apply for a short stay Schengen visa, i.e. pay the visa administrative fees and provide all requested documents (proof of activity, of financial means of support, of travel and of insurance).

 I am going to Andorra. Should I apply for my visa at the French or Spanish Consulate?

If you are flying to a French airport, then you should apply at the French Consulate.

 How long will the visa valid for? Can I get a visa that will allow me several trips to the Schengen area?

We are unable to predict the validity of the visa you may be granted before studying your application : the decision will be made by the visa officer on the day you apply.

 I have recently finished my studies/ looking for a job and as such, cannot provide an up-to-date letter from my university/ employer. Can I still apply for a visa?

Note that all applications are unique and depending on your particular circunstances. The decision will be made by the Visa Officer when you apply.