₦airaland Forum

Are you applying as first timer or frequent traveller ?

graylinks:
Good afternoon everyone,

Please who else is having a hard time to book an appointment for document submission at TLS. I have been trying to book an appointment throughout the month of May, but no slots have been made open, yet.

MY POV : Because of our various busy daily schedules, it will be nearly impossible for each applicant waiting for slots to open up to be on the sites 24hrs trying to catch when the French consular would make dates available - but if we can keep each other updated depending on our various free timelines to be on the site - it will be difficult to miss the window when booking slots will be made available.

Thank you/

Has anyone been able to get a response from TLS in the past one month using the Contact Us form ?

I have used it three times in the past one month, no response.

Has anyone successfully completed their appointment at TLS after booking the appointment with a slightly inaccurate passport number (eg using letter O instead of number 0)? Will they allow me correct it during my appointment ?

The TLS site does not allow me use my correct passport number because it is already tied to an old/existing unsubmitted application. The website won’t let me delete it myself. I have already called TLS multiple times in the past 2 weeks to delete it from their end and they keep saying that I should call back, that their system is down

No. You will create unnecessary doubt and confusion in the mind of the visa officer.

Just prepare your entire application based on visiting just one country which should be country you will be spending most of your time in. When you get the visa you can move as you like within Schengen territory.

sirrotex:
Good evening all. Please when applying for a visit to the Schengen area primarily to attend a conference, is it appropriate to state that after the conference i would like to tour other nearby countries for a week?

FeyoNadal:
Finally got email and collected the passport today. Was successful application

It took 6 weeks to get a 6 weeks visa ...lol.. But we are grateful to God

Congrats

Are you a frequent traveler ? If so How long was your previous visa ?

VisaZest:
Hi,

If the information you want to change on the France-Visas form are travel details (dates, accommodation, etc.), TLS can change these details on the day of your appointment.

All the best!

Thanks, I hear you, but I’d rather play very safe. I have already deleted the old France visas application and created a new one. The trip isn’t urgent at all. I’ll just follow the proper process.

agabusta:
Good thing that the site did not allow you. It should continue like that. Otherwise, that is how some people will commercialize the appointments and bastardize the process like they did to the US visa appointments. Using different applications to tie down appointment slots and then now changing the application tied to the appointment when there is a willing buyer.

My 2 cents: cancel the appointment, cancel the application and start afresh. TLS site is up as of today.

My mistake: their system/backend is down, not the front end website. I just called yet again and it’s still the same thing.

I have deleted the appointment but I need to wait for their system to get back up in order to delete the application and create a new one. TLS is an incompetent vendor and it’s a shame that France won’t change them. I remember having similar issues last year.

Yes you’re right, many Nigerians tend to abuse processes and it causes the remaining innocent ones to suffer. It’s such a shame.

ifax:
Hello. Does anyone have any idea when abuja submissions will resume?

Has anyone booked an Abuja appointment this year? They stopped it 17/11/25, it was stated on the TLS site. The message is currently no longer showing on the TLS site.

Hello House. I have a confirmed TLS appointment for May but I need to change the France-Visas application that is linked to it. I tried to delete the TLS appointment and create a new one but the TLS site won’t let me. I called TLS yesterday and today. They keep saying the site is down, that I should check back tomorrow or I should call the embassy.

Has anyone been in this position? What would you suggest?

I can’t use the current France-visas that is tied to the appointment because travel plans have significantly changed (travel dates etc).

Just start a fresh application on the France Visas website and select Lagos as your submission point

madone:
please how did you rectify it i just came across this toir post i also applied to abuja, i now want to change it to lagos

Not true, submitted 2 old passports last year in Abuja with my current passport making 3 passports submitted

The lady at TLS told me I don’t need to but I insisted and she accepted them. I was successful. One year, frequent traveller.

Chelseaboy101:
No one will even take the old passport from you ... Just make copies of the past visas.

SIMON78:
Good evening, pls I have been looking for France visa appointment booking on TLS but keep showing me no slots for March, April, may and even June, pls what’s the problem, it seems may be I missed something, for one week now the same thing, kindly assist please.

Are you a first time applicant ?
What city are you applying from ?

As of last month TLS Abuja is no longer accepting appointments for Nigerians, all Nigerian applicants must apply through Lagos.

deyo19:
Gudevening House...I jat realized there are no available appointment dates for tls Abuja in feb...Can i procede booking for lagos?...because i already filled abuja as my submission centre in my Visa application.....
..
Or i need to do a fresh application?

Yes you need to call them to cancel your Abuja application and then do a fresh application for Lagos. They stopped processing new appointments for Nigerians in Abuja on 17th November.

I just saw this message on their site, I called them and they said I need to book an appointment for Lagos.

Has anyone booked an appointment in Lagos this week? When is the earliest available appointment in Lagos for Frequent Traveller?

Are you a frequent traveller? I just tried to book and I saw no slots. Frequent traveller.

ifax:
Hello. Does anyone have any idea when abuja submissions will resume?

Hello house, has anyone been able to book an appointment in Abuja this week (starting Monday 12th January 2026)? I just created my TLS account today and did not see any slots available for January to May 2026. Frequent traveller.

patricia23:
Submitted 23rd.Nothing yet. I'm equally worried, but I'm guessing the delay is due to the public holidays.

The delay is probably because of summer peak season. They do not observe Nigerian holidays, only French ones like Easter and Christmas. My issue date on my last visa 1st April 2025 which was Sallah.

Just have same patience. The good news is coming.

For frequent travellers, it’s best to submit your old passports together with your current passport so that the officer can see direct evidence of your past visas and trips. I think it helps you get a longer visa tenure. I asked the TLS officer if I could submit them and she said yes.

You should definitely take copies of all your past visas (including non-Schengen) and immigration stamps as a backup in case they don’t allow you submit the old passports. VFS UK doesn’t allow you submit old passport so you need photocopies for that.

hunee:
Now, You Begin The Documentation Aspect Which Is Most Critical . In No Order, Please Read
- Gather All Evidences Of Your Family Work( Cac, Tax, Pension, Etc)
- Proof Of Marriage
- A Letter Of Approval From Your Children School Or A Note That They Are Out Of School And Can Go On Holidays Overseas
-Proof Of Family Properties (Car Document, Land, Houses, Etc)
- Proof Of Parenthood (Show Evidence Of Your Child/Chidren Birth, Family Pictures)
- Attach Evidence That You Are Financially Stable( Employment Letter, Bank Confirmation Letter, Bank Statement Covering A Period Of 3month) Note: Your Account Must Have Sufficient Funds Close To 10m Above Is Fine.
- Letter Of Co - Parenting , Affidavit Of Return As A Family - State All Names Of Family Members That Are Traveling To Paris In The Document And Assure The Embassy Of Your Return.
- Proof Of Previous Trip Out Of Nigeria- Copies Of Your Canadian Visas, Etc - Note That You Are A Frequent Traveler If You Have Being To Uk, Us, Schengen , And Canada - I Think, So Do Not Register As First Timers For Your Tls Appointment - This You Can Confirm From Tls Customer Care In Advance.
- Letter Of Financial/Sponsorship Support - Duly Signed By You And Your Husband Stating That You Are Both Co-Sponsoring The Trip.
- Passport Of You, Husband, Kids - Original To Be Submitted - Also Do Copies Of Data Pages (Colored , 2 )
In Addition, You Can Take Passport Sized Photographs As Requested By The Embassy At Tls - It Cost 6k.
Other Documents, Letter Of Introduction, Letter Of Leave Of Absence Drafted By Your Hr, Duly Signed And Stamped, Flight Reservation(Do Not Pay For It) Use Ethiopianairlines.Com , Hotels Reservations (Booking.Com, Hotels.Com) , Attach Other Support Documents.

I Wish You All The Best , And Do Tag Me For Further Clarifications

Subsequently


@Teemom , DO THIS BELOW

For family group applications, do like this and follow patiently; it is easy.
- Fill all forms correctly here: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/online-application, sign up and get started.
- Afterwards, create a tls account here to link all reference numbers for your group visa application here : https://fr.tlscontact.com/visa/ng/ngLGV2fr/home ( Register for this after you have successfully and correctly filled all the forms )
Mind you, this is lagos link, you can redirect if you are submitting in Abuja. It is easy, just be patient to follow it through.

Princessadedayo:
Greetings to all, I submitted my application for a visa to France on December 30th and received an email stating that the visa is ready for collection yesterday. I am concerned whether this early notification may indicate a rejection, considering that it has only been a week since my application. This is my second time applying for a visa to France. In 2023, I had a 15-day visa valid for one month, during which I stayed for 12 days. Has anyone encountered a similar situation of receiving a quick decision that turned out to be positive?

This was exactly me yesterday

Biometrics at TLS Abuja - 24 March
Passport received sms - 2 April
Passport collected - 3 April

Took just 5 working days, shortest it has ever taken for me. They told me at TLS it would take 1 month so when I got the text yesterday I thought maybe I made a silly mistake somewhere or forgot something and got quick rejection.


Got 1 year multiple entry. Frequent traveller.

24 hours wasted worrying over nothing.

CGEH:
Good day everyone.

Please I am to leave for France on the 21st of June.
However my interview date was scheduled for 17th of June.

Please I want to know if the visa response would be ready before my departure date. If not, what can I do?

Thank you

There needs to be a gap of at least 4 weeks (preferably 6 weeks) between your biometrics appointment date and your date of travel. The official guidance on their website is 15 working days (3 weeks) however I was told at my appointment this week that it would take a month. My sister (frequent traveller) waited 4 weeks for her passport to come out in January. She got 3 years.

Anyone whose passport comes out in less than 3 weeks during this period (April to September ) should consider themselves lucky. There is definitely a surge because most Dubai vacation travellers are rerouting to Europe since the UAE restrictions.

France allows you to apply 6 months before your travel date. So don’t hesitate to just book your appointment as early as possible.

Alexie89:
I got dates for lagos for may.

Please how does one pay for visa fees? Online or at Tls?

At TLS with your Naira card

MsAnonymous:
Book for biometrics now.
All documents are submitted physically.
the earliest date for biometrics is currently mid June.
Just fill your form today and get ready

Is the June date for Lagos appointments ? Abuja is likely April/May

My Abuja appointment was March 24, I booked it February 18. Frequent traveller. That was the earliest date available. So I assume there’s a 5-week gap for appointment booking for frequent travellers in Abuja.

And yes, you’re absolutely right about TLS. I initially applied in December hoping to travel in January but the earliest appointment I could get was February so I had to fill a fresh application.

hunee:
Vfs are the ones that truly understands this visa thing. how do you fill form first then later book an appointment?
Alot of people have had to cancel their forms when they couldnt get a date after its completion.

The booking of appointment has to come first , then filling of forms.

Betterstill, they should have a site you can check to know the most recent available dates just like canada, uk and the rest does theirs.


Now i see why Uk had to withdraw their stuff from Tls and handed it over to Vfs. They know better.



Anyone has idea of recent appointment date for ABUJA?

Both first timers and frequent travelers. Please advise, anyone?

yoyome20:
Hello all,

I am a silent reader and I felt I should share my experience as other people's posts helped me put together what I think was a good application, I hope it helps someone

Visa application submitted - Jan 30th

Passport returned - Feb 7th

Picked up - Feb 10th

Visa applied for - 10 days, single entry

Visa Approved - 3 months Multiple entry

List of documents submitted:-
• The completed Schengen Visa Application Form
• My Original passport
• Proof of Travel History- Valid UK visa
• My reserved travel return ticket- 10 days
• Schengen Visa Travel Health Insurance-10 days AXA Mansard
• Hotel reservation receipts – Pairs- 10 days
• Letter of Introduction from both companies as well as companies’ documentation and account statements- I am a business owner and I have two registered companies so I submitted all my documents ( CAC , Annual returns, account statement )
• My Personal 3 Months Payslip from my company
• Dependence supporting documents –Letter of introduction from my aged mother and teenage daughter
• My Personal Bank Statements from the last three months - (Naira and dollar account statements)
• Residential Address Utility Bill
• Pension statement and cover letter - 3 months
• Proof of Property owned Document
• Company ID Card
• Personal Tax Card
. Pictures of my family
. Daughters’ birth certificate
. Daughters travel history
. Proof of child in school - admission letter, school fees payment, etc
I hope this helps someone, Good luck all

Congratulations

Are you a Schengen first timer ?

LagosismyHome:
I don't know if Germany has a different system but in 2023 I booked for my mum using Germany embassy lagos. When she got there they said I filled a wrong form and she was allowed to do a new form inside and resubmit

The visa was given. I don't know if this different but I trust i would have completed a new form. Then when I get to tsl. I will put passport number and omit the last digit to let it go through to booking. If they are going to deny it wont be because one digit is missing in tsl portal. It would be for something else

But if it's not urgent ... then OK to wait

Yes it’s not urgent at all. Let me save my FX sef. I’ll just wait.

LagosismyHome:
When you go for your appointment. See if the application can be changed

The TLS lady on the phone already said that the only thing that can be changed at TLS is the travel date.

I am not going for the appointment.

LagosismyHome:
Why can't you forfeit and use a new email...create a new form and book a new appointment

I already tried that. The system won’t let you book two appointments using the same passport number. Even the TLS lady repeated the same thing on the phone without me asking her.

It’s a very primitive system. UK visa application I got my appointment 2 days after submitting my application in the same December and my 10-year visa came out in 7 working days.

zeezahbee:
The earliest date at TLS lagos is March. Is there anyway to get an earlier date? I have been checking their portal for the past 2 days

As of today Abuja has a lot of February slots

This is a lengthy post. The summary is that you should apply at least 3 months before your travel date. The current France Schengen appointment booking system (TLS Contact especially) is a nightmare.

My intended travel date was January. I created France Visas and TLS applications in December. On trying to book TLS appointment in December, I saw that the earliest available appointment date is middle of February. It takes 15 working days (3 weeks) on average to process the visa, so this means that the earliest travel date I can now do is March.

I called TLS to explain that my travel dates have changed. They said that if it’s just the travel dates I need to change, I should go ahead and book an appointment, which I proceeded to do.

30 minutes later, I realised that the TLS advice was poor because the travel dates also ought to be changed in the France Visas application, which is linked to the TLS application. It’s impossible to change a submitted France Visas application. I would need to create a new France Visas application with the new March travel dates. If I don’t do this I would be submitting a TLS application that mismatches my France Visas application which will likely lead to an automatic rejection.

I called TLS and explained the above and they said that I can only create a fresh TLS application AFTER my appointment date has passed. So now I have to wait an extra month because of their poor advice and lack of earlier appointment availability.

The only way all this could have been avoided is if I applied 3-6 months in advance. I think 6 months is the safest especially if you’re applying around summer when they are very busy.

Also: I suggest you don’t buy your ticket or travel insurance till AFTER your TLS appointment is confirmed. The same goes for travel insurance. I am now going to pay airline change fees and I have probably lost the travel insurance entirely. Thankfully my hotel booking is fully refundable.

It’s really a shame that the process has become so slow and complicated.

Hello house. For France, can you submit 2 tickets for your application ? I have a trip to France in March and another one in May. Do I submit just the March ticket ?

Mak16788:
i just checked, its still not showing any date

Same here, because someone has probably booked it.

Slimbideb:
This is a challenging situation, and I hope that anyone who with any relevant information will share their insights with us here.

I just saw this tweet.

https://x.com/mr_schengenvisa/status/1862481642096590905?s=46


As of end of November 2024, the earliest appointment dates for Lagos and Abuja were both January 2025 (less than 2 months). So it seems the wait time is now getting worse (2-3 months)