Simplification of French visa process in the pipeline

A potential simplification of the long-stay French visa process for applications from the UK is under review, the office of the Interior Minister has stated.

It could mean supporting documents being uploaded digitally instead of applicants having to bring them in person to one of the UK’s three TLScontact processing centres, the ministry said in a letter to Senator Martine Berthet (Savoie, Les Républicains). 

However, this is not expected until at least 2028 when a European regulation provides for this option, it said.

This comes after MP Yannick Favennec (Mayenne, Horizons) also received a ministerial answer that refers to “dematerialisation of the long-stay visa procedure” being worked on.

However, no remote method has so far been announced for the taking of fingerprints, which is deemed necessary for visas under French and EU law. 

So, unless rules are changed to at least allow these to be held for several years, this will lessen ‘simplification’ benefits to the many British second-home owners who, post-Brexit, apply annually for a temporary long-stay visa to visit for up to six months.

TLScontact offers postal option in the US

We note that TLScontact, which also now runs France’s visa centres in the US since earlier this year, has launched a ‘postal application’ option for an extra $110, which involves posting all supporting documents to its Washington DC centre. 

This bypasses the need for an in-person visit as long as fingerprints have been provided in the last five years, according to official information about the process.

Any follow-up requests for extra documents are dealt with via email and uploads.

We have asked the French authorities if this is planned for UK applicants.

British second-home owners voice frustration

Since Britons became subject to the EU's 90/180 days rule post-Brexit, there have been repeated calls for simplifications of the temporary long-stay visa process – now the main avenue for extended stays. 

Many readers, who bought before Brexit under the EU's free movement rules, have expressed frustration, with some saying they expect to sell up if nothing changes. 

In 2023, lobbying led by a vote by MPs and senators to allow 'automatic visa' rights to Britons owning second homes in France, to visit with no, or minimal formalities. 

This was included in 2024's immigration law, but was then among articles struck out by the Conseil constitutionnel as being insufficiently linked to the law's aims. 

Since then, several MPs and senators, such as Philippe Lottiaux (Var), have continued to call for easing of rules. 

The France Visa Free group on Facebook, which campaigns on these issues, has also turned to pressing UK MPs over the "90/180 days problem" and the topic has gained attention from the Liberal Democrats. 

The group argues that the post-Brexit situation is not reciprocal, as, under UK immigration laws, nationals of countries with a short-stay visa waiver (which includes EU citizens) may come to the UK without visas for up to six months consecutively.