How much does a France work visa cost?

For a France work visa, the consular fee is €99. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Long-stay work visa (VLS-TS) — €99; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; TLScontact service fee — €35; Premium lounge / prime time — €50; Residence tax at VLS-TS validation — €350. The €99 fee covers the long-stay visa acting as a residence permit (VLS-TS). Validation online after arrival costs an additional €200 tax for most salaried workers. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.

How long does a France work visa take to process?

A decision on a France work visa typically takes around 20 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.

What documents are required for a France work visa?

The France consular network lists: Valid passport; France-Visas application form printed and signed; 2 recent biometric photos; Work authorisation approved by the French labour authority (autorisation de travail); Signed employment contract; Proof of qualifications or diplomas where required; Proof of accommodation in France; Proof of UK residence status; Travel medical insurance until French social security registration; Proof of fee payment. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.

Can I apply for a France work visa from the United Kingdom?

Yes. We list 3 submission points in the UK for France, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

France work visa: requirements, fee and processing time

This page covers the France work visa — used for taking up employment with a local employer. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the France consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.

Consular fee

€99

Typical decision

20 days

Appointments

Online booking

Where to apply for a France work visa

TLScontact centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh on behalf of the French Consulate. The employer files the work authorisation with the French labour authority first.

Required documents

Valid passport
France-Visas application form printed and signed
2 recent biometric photos
Work authorisation approved by the French labour authority (autorisation de travail)
Signed employment contract
Proof of qualifications or diplomas where required
Proof of accommodation in France
Proof of UK residence status
Travel medical insurance until French social security registration
Proof of fee payment

Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.

Fees, reductions and exemptions

Long-stay work visa (VLS-TS)€99
Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived with proof of relationship.
TLScontact service fee€35
Premium lounge / prime time€50— Optional TLScontact comfort services.
Residence tax at VLS-TS validation€350— Payable online within 3 months of arrival; €150 reduced rate for students, seasonal workers, job-seekers, family reunification and au pairs (rates from 1 May 2026).

The €99 fee covers the long-stay visa acting as a residence permit (VLS-TS). Validation online after arrival costs an additional €200 tax for most salaried workers.

Booking an appointment

Appointments are booked through the France-Visas portal and then TLScontact. Premium and out-of-hours slots are available at extra cost.

Practical tips

Complete the France-Visas questionnaire first — it generates the exact document list for your job category (salarié, passeport talent, ICT). Passeport Talent applicants often skip the labour-market test.

What is unusual about the France process

The VLS-TS must be validated online within 3 months of arrival. Since 1 May 2026 the residence tax due at validation is €350 at the standard rate, or €150 at the reduced rate (students, seasonal workers, job-seekers, family reunification, au pairs). Miss the validation and your stay becomes irregular.

Official sources

If you are applying from the United Kingdom

London — France Visa Application Centre – London
Suite 18, Exhibition House, Ground floor, Addison Bridge Place, London W14 8XP
No consular districts — UK residents may use any of the three centres. Submission by appointment 08:30–15:30.
Edinburgh — France Visa Application Centre – Edinburgh
City West, 4th floor, 2A Robertson Avenue, Edinburgh EH11 1PZ
Submission by appointment, Mon–Fri 08:30–13:00.
Manchester — France Visa Application Centre – Manchester
Third TLScontact centre for France; check TLScontact for the current address.

Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.

Updated today against official France consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a France work visa cost?: For a France work visa, the consular fee is €99. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Long-stay work visa (VLS-TS) — €99; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; TLScontact service fee — €35; Premium lounge / prime time — €50; Residence tax at VLS-TS validation — €350. The €99 fee covers the long-stay visa acting as a residence permit (VLS-TS). Validation online after arrival costs an additional €200 tax for most salaried workers. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
How long does a France work visa take to process?: A decision on a France work visa typically takes around 20 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
Where do I apply for a France work visa?: TLScontact centres in London, Manchester or Edinburgh on behalf of the French Consulate. The employer files the work authorisation with the French labour authority first. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
What documents are required for a France work visa?: The France consular network lists: Valid passport; France-Visas application form printed and signed; 2 recent biometric photos; Work authorisation approved by the French labour authority (autorisation de travail); Signed employment contract; Proof of qualifications or diplomas where required; Proof of accommodation in France; Proof of UK residence status; Travel medical insurance until French social security registration; Proof of fee payment. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
How do appointments work for a France work visa?: Appointment model: Online booking. Appointments are booked through the France-Visas portal and then TLScontact. Premium and out-of-hours slots are available at extra cost.
Can I apply for a France work visa from the United Kingdom?: Yes. We list 3 submission points in the UK for France, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

🇫🇷 France work visa: requirements, fee and processing time