France visa
Paris, the Riviera and the Alps. France is the most requested Schengen visa from the UK, with appointments usually handled through an external visa application centre.
Schengen visa support for UK residents
Your Schengen visa from the UK, prepared properly the first time
Living in the UK with a passport that needs a Schengen visa? We help you choose the right consulate, assemble the right documents and book your appointment, so your application is complete, consistent and honest.
- Based in London
- Clear GBP quotes, no surprises
- All 29 Schengen countries
90 days in any 180
The short-stay limit one Schengen visa allows across the Schengen Area.
29Schengen countries, one visa
90/180Days allowed on a short stay
15 daysTypical decision time
EUR 30,000Minimum medical insurance cover
About Travel By Choice
A London visa desk built around one visa: the Schengen visa
Most visa agents try to cover every country. We do not. Travel By Choice focuses on the Schengen short-stay visa for people who live in the UK, so we know how the requirements, appointments and common refusal reasons play out for UK-based applicants.
Brexit changed how Europe works for everyone in Britain. Holding a UK work visa, student visa, BRP or eVisa does not mean you can enter the Schengen Area freely. Your passport decides whether you need a visa, and your UK status decides where you apply.
We explain that clearly, tell you what the consulate will expect, and help you present your trip in a way that is easy to understand and easy to approve.
Talk to an adviser
Eligibility
Do you need a Schengen visa if you live in the UK?
The answer depends on your passport, not on your UK immigration status. Use the quick check below, then confirm with an adviser.
The short version
- British and Irish passport holders can normally visit Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180 days without a visa.
- Other nationalities living in the UK often still need a Schengen visa, even with a Skilled Worker, Student, Dependant or Family visa, BRP, eVisa or settled status.
- You usually apply from the UK if you are legally resident here, with a UK permit valid for a reasonable period after you return.
- Visitors to the UK are often not accepted for Schengen applications at UK consulates. Many require you to apply from your country of residence.
What we do
Schengen visa services for UK-based applicants
From the first question to the day you collect your passport, we help you stay organised and avoid the mistakes that slow applications down.
Eligibility review
We read your passport, UK immigration status and travel plan, then tell you plainly which consulate you should apply to and what to prepare.
Document checklist
A personal checklist built around your situation: employed, self-employed, student, retired or dependant.
Form completion
We help you complete the Schengen application accurately, so details match across every document.
Appointment booking help
We help you find and secure biometric appointments at the correct visa centre or consulate.
Itinerary and bookings
A realistic travel plan and refundable-style reservation guidance, so you do not pay for tickets before you need to.
Travel insurance advice
Guidance on cover that meets the Schengen minimum, including the EUR 30,000 medical requirement.
Cover letter and invitations
Clear, honest supporting letters and invitation guidance for family, business and special-purpose trips.
Refusal and reapplication
If you were refused before, we review the refusal letter and help you address the stated reasons properly.
Visa categories
Which Schengen visa fits your trip?
The purpose of your visit decides which documents you need. A holiday needs a clear itinerary. A business trip needs an invitation and a company letter. A family visit needs proof of the relationship.
Tourist visit
Sightseeing, city breaks, cruises and holidays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Family and friends
Visiting relatives or friends in Europe, supported by an invitation and proof of the relationship.
Business visit
Meetings, trade fairs, conferences and contract talks. You need a company letter and an invitation.
Airport transit
Passing through the international zone of a Schengen airport on the way to another country.
Study and training
Short courses, exchanges and school trips that stay within the short-stay limits.
Medical treatment
Planned treatment or accompanying a patient, with a hospital letter and proof of funds.
Culture and sport
Festivals, performances and sporting events that fit a short-stay visa.
Multiple-entry visa
Frequent travellers with a good travel history can ask the consulate for a multiple-entry visa.
Destinations
Popular Schengen countries from the UK
One Schengen visa covers the whole area, but you must apply to the consulate of your main destination. Here is how the favourites differ.
Italy visa
Rome, Venice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. Italy asks for a clear day-by-day itinerary and proof of where you will sleep every night.
Spain visa
Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and the islands. Spain is popular for family visits and city breaks, and expects strong proof of ties to the UK.
Germany visa
Berlin, Munich and the Christmas markets. Germany is also a common choice for business meetings, trade fairs and conferences.
Netherlands visa
Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the tulip season. A short flight from London, so bookings are often last minute. Plan your application well ahead.
Portugal visa
Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. Frequently chosen by first-time applicants who want a clear and well-documented process.
Greece visa
Athens and the islands. Peak summer dates fill appointments quickly, so early preparation matters.
Switzerland visa
Zurich, Geneva and the Alps. Switzerland is in Schengen, so one visa covers it, but fees and rules are set by the consulate you apply to.
Other Schengen countries include Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden. Ask us about any of them.
How it works
Five steps from enquiry to approval decision
We keep the process simple and explain every step before you spend money on it.
1
Tell us your plan
Send the enquiry form or message us on WhatsApp with your nationality, UK status, destination and dates.
2
Eligibility check
We confirm whether you need a Schengen visa, which country is your main destination and where to apply from the UK.
3
Collect your documents
You receive a tailored checklist. We review each document for gaps and inconsistencies before you submit.
4
Book and attend
We help you book the appointment. You attend in person to give fingerprints and a photo.
5
Track and prepare
We help you track your application, answer any consulate request for more information and prepare for travel.
Documents
Schengen visa document checklist for UK residents
Requirements vary slightly by consulate, but this core list applies to most short-stay applications from the UK. We give you the exact list for your destination and your situation.
Documents are not in English? Many consulates ask for translations. We will tell you which ones need it.
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave the Schengen Area, with 2 blank pages and issued within the last 10 years
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two recent passport-size photographs that meet ICAO standards
- Proof of UK residence: BRP, eVisa share code, residence card or valid UK visa
- Travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover valid in all Schengen states
- Flight reservation and accommodation bookings or an invitation letter
- Bank statements, usually for the last 3 to 6 months, showing you can fund the trip
- Employment letter, payslips or business documents. Students need an enrolment letter
- Day-by-day itinerary with cities, dates and places you will stay
- Proof of ties to the UK, such as tenancy agreement, family ties or a job contract
- Cover letter explaining the purpose of your trip in plain language
- Previous Schengen visas and travel history, where available
Pricing and timelines
Clear GBP pricing and realistic timelines
Prices depend on your destination and how many people are travelling. Message us on WhatsApp and we will quote you in pounds sterling (GBP) before you commit.
Want to know the price?
Send us your destination and travel dates. We reply with a personal quote in GBP.
Ask price on WhatsApp| Item | Amount or time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa and service pricing | Quoted in GBP | Message us on WhatsApp for a clear, personal quote before you commit |
| Typical processing time | Up to 15 days | Calendar days from a complete application. Can extend to 30 or 45 days in some cases |
| When you can apply | 6 months to 15 days | No earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel |
| Biometrics appointment | In person | Fingerprints and photo at the visa centre or consulate. We help you book it |
Your quote shows what is our service fee and what is paid to the consulate or visa centre, so there are no surprises.
Why Travel By Choice
Straight answers instead of guesswork
Plain-English advice
No jargon. You know what is needed and why.
Easy to reach
Message us on WhatsApp, call, or email. Whatever suits you.
Honest about odds
We never promise approval. If your case is weak, we tell you early.
Transparent pricing
You see our fee before you agree to anything.
Avoid refusal
Common reasons Schengen applications are refused
Most refusals come from preventable gaps. Here is what consulates commonly question, and how we help you address it.
Incomplete or inconsistent documents
Dates, addresses and job details must match across the form, bookings and letters. We cross-check them before you submit.
Unclear funds
Sudden large deposits or thin balances raise questions. We help you present your finances clearly and truthfully.
Unclear purpose of travel
A vague itinerary suggests a vague trip. We help you build a realistic, believable plan.
Weak ties to the UK
Consulates want proof you will return. Job, tenancy, study and family ties all help.
Insurance problems
Cover that is too low or does not span your dates is a frequent issue. We check it first.
Applying too late
Appointments fill up fast. Starting early gives you room to fix problems before travel.
Travel insurance
Schengen travel insurance: what the consulate expects
Travel medical insurance is a required document for most Schengen applications. A policy that does not meet the rules is one of the easiest ways to delay your visa.
- Minimum medical cover of EUR 30,000
- Valid in every Schengen country
- Covers emergency treatment and repatriation
- Dates that cover your entire stay
Where to apply
Choosing the right consulate from the UK
Applying in the wrong place wastes time and fees. These three rules decide it.
One main destination
Apply to the country where you will spend the most nights. That consulate handles your visa.
Equal stays? First entry
If you split your time evenly between countries, apply to the one you enter first.
Visa centre or embassy
Many countries use an external visa application centre in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Others handle it directly.
Travel By Choice is an independent adviser. We are not an embassy, consulate or official visa centre and we do not make visa decisions.
Know the rules
Schengen rules every UK-based traveller should know
The 90/180 rule
You can stay up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.
Biometrics
You attend in person to give fingerprints and a photo. Biometrics can usually be reused for several years.
UK status validity
Your UK permission to stay should cover your return with some margin. Check the exact rule with your consulate.
ETIAS is different
ETIAS is for visa-exempt travellers. It does not replace the Schengen visa if you need one.
Our commitments
What you can expect when you work with us
Honest advice
We tell you what we think of your case, including when a different route or timing is better.
No false documents
We never create, alter or advise submitting false information. Truthful applications protect your future travel.
Your data stays private
We use your details only to handle your enquiry and application, and we never sell them.
FAQ
Schengen visa from the UK: your questions answered
It depends on your passport, not your UK immigration status. UK and Irish passport holders can normally visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180 days without a visa. Many other nationalities who live in the UK still need a Schengen short-stay visa, even with a work visa, student visa, BRP or eVisa.
You apply to the embassy, consulate or authorised visa application centre of your main destination. If you will spend the same number of nights in several countries, apply to the country you will enter first.
You can usually apply up to 6 months before you travel and no later than 15 calendar days before. We suggest starting 6 to 8 weeks ahead, because appointments can be limited in busy seasons.
The total depends on your destination, the number of travellers and the support you need. All prices are quoted in pounds sterling (GBP). Message us on WhatsApp and we will send you a clear quote before you commit to anything.
Most decisions are made within 15 calendar days of a complete application. In some cases, the consulate can take up to 30 days or, rarely, 45 days.
You need proof of your travel plan, but you should avoid buying non-refundable tickets before your visa is approved. We guide you on suitable reservations for the application stage.
No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers. If your passport requires a Schengen visa, you continue to apply for the visa.
No one can. The decision is made only by the consulate. What we can do is help you submit a complete, consistent and honest application, which is the best way to protect your chances.
Send us your refusal letter. We review the reasons given, explain whether to appeal or reapply, and help you strengthen the next application.
Yes. We explain what the consulate requires, including the minimum medical cover, and help you choose a policy that fits your dates and destinations.
Free enquiry
Tell us about your trip
Complete the form and an adviser will contact you. It takes about two minutes and there is no obligation.
Find us
Our London address
8 Westfield Avenue, London, E20 1NW, United Kingdom
Please contact us before visiting so an adviser can be ready for you.
Open in Google MapsReady to start your Schengen visa application?
Send us your plan today. The earlier you start, the more options you have.