TLS Contact to Take Over French Visa Processing for US Applicants Starting April 18

Starting April 18, TLS Contact will officially take over the processing of French visa applications for applicants in the United States, replacing the previous service provider, VFS Global. This shift marks a significant change in the way French visa applications will be managed for US residents, with TLS Contact taking on the responsibility of processing all such applications for the next five years, with the possibility of extending the contract further.

TLS Contact will operate ten visa application centres spread across major US cities to facilitate the application process. The locations include Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York, Boston, and Miami. This network of centres is designed to offer applicants easier access to submit their documents, ensuring a smoother and more efficient visa processing experience. This transition is expected to streamline the process and potentially reduce appointment waiting times, as Schengen.News reports.

What Does This Mean for Applicants Who Have Already Applied?

For applicants who have already submitted their visa applications or booked appointments with VFS Global before April 17, there are some important points to note. Those who are still awaiting their appointments or passport returns will have a couple of options.

• Applicants who have scheduled appointments with VFS Global before the cut-off date can either keep their appointments or reschedule them with TLS Contact.
• If applicants had opted to pick up their passports in person from VFS Global, they will need to collect their passports from a TLS Contact location after April 18.
• However, if applicants had arranged for their passports to be shipped back to them via express mail, no action is required on their part, and the process will proceed as planned.

It’s important to remember that the physical locations for passport collection will change post-April 18, so applicants should verify the new collection points.

VFS Global’s Future Role

While VFS Global will no longer be responsible for processing French visas in the US, this doesn’t mean the company is shutting down. VFS Global will continue operating in partnership with other countries, including Austria, Portugal, and the UK, for which it remains the official visa processing partner.

French Visa Applications: US Stats

According to data published by SchengenVisaInfo, France continues to be the top destination for US passport holders applying for a Schengen visa. Though American citizens don’t need a visa for short stays in the Schengen Area, foreign nationals from other countries who aren’t part of the visa waiver agreement must still apply for Schengen visas. In 2023, 174,258 visa applications were submitted by US residents, with 50,054 (or 28.7%) of those being for French visas, making France a significant destination for US travelers.

TLS Contact’s Commitment to Improving the Process

In its transition to handling French visa applications, TLS Contact has made it clear that its goal is to improve the overall visa application experience. The company has emphasized its commitment to reducing processing times, improving appointment scheduling systems, and offering a more customer-friendly experience. These improvements are expected to streamline what can often be a lengthy and stressful process for visa applicants.

The five-year contract between TLS Contact and the French government could be extended, depending on the success of the implementation and the company's ability to meet service expectations.

In conclusion, while VFS Global’s departure may initially cause some confusion for applicants who were used to its services, the transition to TLS Contact is designed to provide a more efficient and streamlined process. Applicants from the US will now be able to submit their French visa applications at multiple centres across the country, ensuring that the process is accessible to a larger number of people, with the added benefit of reduced waiting times and improved customer service.

Source- https://schengen.news/