This is the Big Day

Once you’ve determined your visa category and assembled your required documents, the process shifts into execution.

For Americans applying for a French long-stay visa, that execution runs through two systems:

• France-Visas (the official online portal)

• TLS Contact (the in-person submission center)

This page focuses only on how the process physically unfolds — not eligibility, not financial strategy, not insurance decisions. Execution.

Step 1: Completing the France-Visas Application

All long-stay visa applications begin at the France-Visas portal.

You will:

• Create an account

• Select your visa category

• Complete the application form

• Review the document checklist

• Generate your application summary

At the end of the process, you will be directed to TLS Contact to schedule your appointment. Accuracy matters. Small inconsistencies between your form and your supporting documents can create avoidable delays.

Step 2: Preparing Your Physical File

Even if documents are uploaded online, you should arrive at your appointment with:

• Originals

• Copies

• Clearly labeled sections

Your goal is not to impress anyone. Your goal is to make verification easy. Think of your file as a checklist that answers questions before they are asked.

Step 3: Booking Your TLS Appointment

TLS Contact handles in-person visa submissions in the United States.

You will select:

• A city

• A date

• A time

Appointments can fill quickly depending on season and demand. Schedule early once your documentation is ready.

Step 4: What Happens at the Appointment

The appointment itself is structured and procedural.

You will:

• Check in

• Submit your documents

• Provide fingerprints (biometrics)

• Have a digital photo taken

• Confirm payment of visa fees

Biometrics simply means fingerprints and a photograph.

It is administrative, not invasive. They are not there to advise you. They are not there to debate your plans. They are there to verify that your file meets requirements.

What the Appointment Actually Feels Like

The appointment is typically brief. You sit. You wait. You are called forward. Documents are reviewed. Biometrics are taken. You are finished.

It is not an interview.

When I attended my appointment, what mattered most was organization. The smoother your file is structured, the faster the interaction moves. Preparation changes the energy in the room.

After Submission

Once your appointment is complete, your application moves into review. You will receive tracking information. Processing time varies depending on volume and season. There is no advantage to refreshing the tracking page hourly. At this stage, patience is part of the process.

Where Most Applicants Get Sloppy

Delays rarely happen because the system is complicated.

They happen because applicants:

• Miss documents

• Present inconsistent information

• Submit unclear financial proof

• Rush the process

The appointment is verification, not correction. Arrive prepared.

If You Want the Full Submission Strategy

This page explains how the process unfolds. But the document organization strategy, sequencing decisions, formatting details, and preparation approach are where most Americans lose confidence.

In Get Frenched, I walk through exactly how I assembled my file, what I brought, and how I structured everything to move through cleanly.

If you’re going to do this, go through it prepared.

→ Start with the Book