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Do I Need a Visa for France? Travel & Moving Abroad Tips

Do I Need a Visa for France? Travel & Moving Abroad Tips

Moving abroad is one of those things that feels exciting until you take a look at all the paperwork and realise you’ve got a lot to do. And when you search what to do on Google, you get 30 tabs but no clear answer. 

So, throughout this article, we’ll be breaking down all you need to know to get that dream move to France you’ve been planning – covering everything from Brexit issues to the 90-day rule.

How Have the Rules Changed for UK Citizens After Brexit?

In short, the UK is now a third country in EU terms. That means we sit with non-EU nationals when French authorities decide who needs permission to stay. You can obviously still hop across the Channel for holidays, but it’s a different story if you plan to live or work there.

Stat Check:

It’s worth noting that this generally isn’t a difficult country to migrate to. As you can see with those numbers above, plenty of compatriots go through the system every year – so you can too.

When Can I Stay Visa-Free in France? 

If your passport stamps in and out within the Schengen Area, you get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window. That clock covers trips to Spain, Italy, and the rest as well, so tally every weekend break you plan on taking.

  • Popping over to sign a rental contract? Fine, but keep it under 90 days.
  • Freelancing remotely? You still need to respect the limit; “working” definitions vary.
  • Volunteering or paid work? That usually calls for a visa from the start.

How Do I Start My Visa Application and Where Does the Local Visa Centre Fit In?

French bureaucracy loves a process, but it’s more straightforward than it looks.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Gather Documents: Have a valid passport for at least six months. And make sure you’ve got proof of funds and insurance.
  1. Create an Account on the France-Visas Single Portal: This is the government’s hub for every online application.
  1. Complete the Application Online: Enter the details exactly as they appear in your passport.
  1. Book Your Appointment at the Local Visa Centre: This could be TLScontact or VFS in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh.
  1. Pay the Relevant Fee: It’s about €99 for most long-stay categories (check the site for the current figure).
  1. Do the Biometric Capture: Fingerprints and photos.
  1. Track Your File: Do this until the centre emails you to collect your vignette.

And keep in mind that the platform’s interface loads scripts to display web content and offer other services like status alerts. 

There are footer notes there showing how they use an advertising network for selling advertising space and to generate revenue, much like any government contractor site. If the cookie banner annoys you, blame the site team trying to stay compliant while they load scripts for analytics and search engines.

Do Foreign Nationals Need Extra Paperwork Once They Enter France?

Validate your visa online within 90 days after you enter France. You’ll then receive a confirmation email – print it, because some prefectures still love paper. Next, book a medical visit if required and pay a tax stamp. Later, head back to the prefecture for your plastic residence permit card.

Fail to validate on time and you risk fines or, worse, a scramble at renewal. Keep everything up to date because the prefecture’s tolerance for late files tends to be pretty low.

What Fees Do I Pay and How Long Does the Visa Process Take?

  • Short-Stay Visas: These are rarely needed for UK citizens on tourist trips.
  • Long-Stay Visas: €99 for adults plus £30-£40 service charge at the centre.
  • Residence Permit Tax Stamp: €225 in most cases.

Typical Timeline:

  • Application to Appointment: Two weeks in the low season, but longer near summer.
  • Decision After Biometrics: 15-30 days for work or study, 45 days for self-employed.
  • Always apply at least eight weeks before the date you want to enter France.

Which Documents Help My Case with the French Consulate?

Here, you’ve got a few bits that are non-negotiables, but there are also a few extras you should ideally be taking:

Essentials

  • Passport valid for the duration plus three months
  • Two biometric photos
  • Cover letter explaining intent
  • Proof of address in the UK
  • Bank statements showing income

Extras That Can Help

  • Tenancy agreement in France
  • Health insurance certificate
  • Return ticket if on a brief assignment

Remember that French consulate staff read hundreds of files daily, so you ideally want to show them a tidy PDF since it impresses them more than a bunch of unorganised print-outs.

Can I Apply From Another Country, or Do I Need to Be In the UK?

If you live elsewhere legally for six months, you may file in that country. Otherwise, the London consulate claims jurisdiction for most Brits. Some neighbouring nations host “French visa desks” that act on behalf of Paris under representation arrangements, but they still forward your pack to London for a decision.

What If I Want to Work Remotely for a UK Firm – Do I Still Need a Visa?

Yes, if you stay over 90 days. France hasn’t launched a full digital-nomad permit yet, so you pick the self-employed or visitor track and promise not to compete on the French labour market. The rule applies to foreign nationals from everywhere.

How Does a Residence Permit Tie into Driving and Taxes?

A valid residence permit lets you:

  • Register for the French health system after three months
  • Swap your UK licence
  • Open local bank accounts

Tax residents submit returns even if they get income from abroad, thanks to double-tax treaties. Plan ahead and talk to an adviser if pensions or ISAs sit in the mix.

Where Can I Find Official Guidance and Keep It Up to Date?

  • France-Visas Portal: Step-by-step forms and fee tables.

Bookmark all of these because the rules shift a lot, and you want the latest PDFs before you print anything.

Final Checklist Before You Set Off

  1. Passport with blank pages
  1. Visa vignette (if required)
  1. Proof of accommodation
  1. Euro health insurance card or private cover
  1. Phone screenshots of your online application receipt

Double-check you’ve packed originals and copies – French border officers appreciate prepared travellers.

How Upscore Can Help

Upscore’s Finance Passport helps with everything from storing your documents and tracking renewal dates to securing a mortgage when you arrive!

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Rob
  • Updated : 2 Oct. 2025