Hi there ! My husband and I have applied for a long term visitor visa via TLS London. We are retired and are not looking to work in . We tick all the required boxes, income, address, medical insurance (S1). We have enlisted the help of a reputable law firm to help us with our application. We submitted all the necessary documentation and attended our visa interview on the 2nd August. We are still waiting (9th September) for our visa and ports. We have been told to be patient by the law firm overseeing our visa application and that there are huge delays at the Consulate. Is anyone else experiencing these delays ? I have been blocked from TLS tracking portal which says I have tried to track too many days and try again later. I have tried daily to no avail. Can anyone help please ?
Crumbles
107 posts · ed 2021
As @Crabtree has said, there's monstrous delays in the French istration services across the board, including consulates. Most istrative departments also effectively shut down during August for the summer holidays as well, so that extends the delay.
Now the holiday period's over, departments will be starting to work through the backlog. Unfortunately the only advice to offer is to be patient, they'll get to your file eventually.
And yes, this is something you'll have to get used to - French istration is notorious for extended periods of silence without any ability to chase them. It's frustrating, but it's the way it's done.
Now the holiday period's over, departments will be starting to work through the backlog. Unfortunately the only advice to offer is to be patient, they'll get to your file eventually.
And yes, this is something you'll have to get used to - French istration is notorious for extended periods of silence without any ability to chase them. It's frustrating, but it's the way it's done.
13 posts · ed 2024
Hello
my wife and I are retiring to in August 2025. We are trying to time ending work with rental of house in the uk. We too are intending to not work and live in our house in SW .
we are not at state pension age so I don’t think we can apply fir S1 ( can you confirm). With hindsight what advise would you give to timings of the visa, what medical insurance proof is needed at the visa interview. I am wondering whether we can be in receipt of the visa in advance of leaving the uk. Ie apply in May with a end of July deadline
and advice would be helpful - are you renting your house in uk or going all in?
thanks Paul
my wife and I are retiring to in August 2025. We are trying to time ending work with rental of house in the uk. We too are intending to not work and live in our house in SW .
we are not at state pension age so I don’t think we can apply fir S1 ( can you confirm). With hindsight what advise would you give to timings of the visa, what medical insurance proof is needed at the visa interview. I am wondering whether we can be in receipt of the visa in advance of leaving the uk. Ie apply in May with a end of July deadline
and advice would be helpful - are you renting your house in uk or going all in?
thanks Paul
2,254 posts · ed 2014
You may want to look at this for your health insurance
www.fabfrenchinsurance.com
Look under medical insurance and there is a dedicated Visa section
Insurance broker
French insurance broker for the English speaking community in . We do insurances for VISAs, vehicles, home & contents and more...
www.fabfrenchinsurance.com
Look under medical insurance and there is a dedicated Visa section
13 posts · ed 2024
Thanks. I wonder if anyone has experience of booking visa appointments and timings. It seems to me you have to have the policy in place when you take the appointment therefore already paying s you don’t need as you are still in the uk possibly for three months before you enter . I did find out from one company that you could book insurance max 45 days in advance ( he was reluctant to tell me this) so this is a saving. I was wondering how long before to make the visa before hopefully entering on the visa. Timing everything together seems to be an art form. Has anyone got any insight / advice. I want to enter at the start of August ideally. I have to have an idea of when to tell estate agents in the uk when my uk house would be available to rent from. I do at least have a house in to go to but need my ports back to do this!! Ideas?
3 posts · ed 2025
Hi Les Ecuries
I have today (6/6/25) collected my port with long stay visa from the TLS Centre in Manchester. I will be departing 31/7/25. Advised to apply no more than 4 months before travel date no less than 2, and finally managed to scrape all the necessary documents together just inside that window. Appointment at TLS on 23/5/25!
I have managed to find insurance that doesn’t start until 31/7/25, but had to pay upfront. Regency for Expats, basic health cover and includes the mandatory repatriation.
In hindsight I’d have started getting file together earlier, but also held hostage to other people/organisations processes and timetables.. Visa has arrived just in time for me to arrange removals, give notice on rental property in uk etc… thankfully quick turn around by the consulate.
Best of luck
I have today (6/6/25) collected my port with long stay visa from the TLS Centre in Manchester. I will be departing 31/7/25. Advised to apply no more than 4 months before travel date no less than 2, and finally managed to scrape all the necessary documents together just inside that window. Appointment at TLS on 23/5/25!
I have managed to find insurance that doesn’t start until 31/7/25, but had to pay upfront. Regency for Expats, basic health cover and includes the mandatory repatriation.
In hindsight I’d have started getting file together earlier, but also held hostage to other people/organisations processes and timetables.. Visa has arrived just in time for me to arrange removals, give notice on rental property in uk etc… thankfully quick turn around by the consulate.
Best of luck
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