French Consulate San Francisco: Visa Requirements, Documents & TLScontact Appointment Guide (2026)

25 Sep, 2026 • By The Get Itinerary Team

Do you live in the Bay Area and are planning to apply for a French Schengen visa? As with every French consulate in the US now, the visa appointment is no longer at the consulate, it now goes through TLScontact. Here's who's covered and exactly what to bring.

Am I in the San Francisco Jurisdiction?

The Consulate General of France in San Francisco covers residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, plus the US Pacific territories, Guam, and Samoa. That's a large geographic footprint, if you're in Southern California or Southern Nevada, you're likely under a different jurisdiction, check before booking.

Where the Consulate Is, and Why It's Not Where You'll Apply

Consulate address: 44 Montgomery Street, Suite 3400, San Francisco, CA 94104
Consulate hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 AM-12:30 PM and 2:00-4:30 PM; Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 AM-12:30 PM only, all by appointment

That's for French citizens' administrative services (passports, civil status), not visas. France Consulaire, the consulate's own information line, explicitly does not handle visa questions.

How To Apply for a Visa

Apply online first at france-visas.gouv.fr. Complete your application form and get your submission receipt.
Book your in-person appointment at TLScontact San Francisco, 2nd floor, 720 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. This is where biometrics and documents are actually collected, confirm your exact hours when you book, they can vary.

TLScontact forwards your file to the consulate for the decision.

Full Document Checklist (Short-Stay Schengen Visa)

Same national requirements as every US jurisdiction, sourced from Business France's official short-stay visa document list (updated May 2026):

Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from France.
Short-stay visa application form (Cerfa no. 14076*01), completed through france-visas.gouv.fr, plus your submission receipt.
Three standardized passport photos.
Proof of sufficient financial means, on a sliding scale depending on your accommodation situation:

€32.50/day (~$37 USD) with a signed accommodation certificate (staying with someone)
€65/day (~$75 USD) with a hotel booking
€120/day (~$137 USD) with neither

Round-trip flight itinerary, from the U.S. to France and departure from the Schengen area, printed before your appointment. If you're applying for a multiple-entry visa, you'll also need your future flight and hotel arrangements. (Read our post How to Get a Flight Reservation for Your Visa (Without Buying a Real Ticket) to understand your options)
Proof of accommodation in France: Hotel or Airbnb booking showing the address and your name, printed before your appointment. If you're staying with friends or family instead, you'll need a signed host declaration (linked on the consulate's site) sent directly from your host to the visa office by email.
Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 (~$34,400 USD) in medical and hospital expenses for your full stay. See our complete guide to Schengen visa insurance requirements for what qualifies.
Evidence matching your reason for travel: hotel booking with your name for tourism, an accommodation certificate for a family/personal visit (your host applies via their local town hall using Cerfa form 10798*03, €30 fee), an invitation letter for business, or your internship agreement for training.

Processing Time

Apply 6-8 weeks before travel, earlier during summer when TLScontact centers see peak volume. Book your TLScontact slot as soon as your France-Visas submission is complete.

A Few Things Worth Double-Checking

Confirm your TLScontact San Francisco appointment window directly when booking, hours vary and can change.
The financial-means figures above are official Business France guidance as of May 2026, verify current amounts on france-visas.gouv.fr before your appointment.
If you're in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, or New Mexico, this isn't your jurisdiction, check france-visas.gouv.fr's consulate finder before booking anything.

FAQ

Does the French Consulate in San Francisco handle visa appointments?
No. Visa applications go through france-visas.gouv.fr online, then TLScontact San Francisco in person for biometrics and documents. The consulate building itself only handles visas for diplomatic and official passport holders.

Which states does the San Francisco jurisdiction cover?
Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, plus Guam, Samoa, and other Pacific territories.

Do I need a purchased plane ticket for my French visa application?
No. A round-trip PNR-based reservation satisfies the repatriation-guarantee requirement, you don't need to have paid for the ticket.

How much money do I need to show for a French short-stay visa?
€32.50/day (~$37 USD) with a signed accommodation certificate, €65/day (~$75 USD) with a hotel reservation, or €120/day (~$137 USD) with neither.

How far in advance should I apply?
6-8 weeks before travel is the general recommendation, earlier during summer or other high-volume periods.