The United States is one of the most popular countries for tourists in the world, yet some visitors are finding it difficult to acquire a visa before they arrive. France recently paused pre-arrival applications from US citizens due to concerns over data privacy and security. Could this be a sign that other countries may follow suit?
The US has banned the French government from processing visa applications for Americans wishing to enter France before their arrival. The ban is still in place as of December 2018, meaning that travelers must wait until they arrive at a United States port-of-entry (POE) to submit an application.
France has paused the pre-arrival health pass applications for US travelers. France is trying to protect its citizens and visitors from possible medical emergencies, but this measure may make it more difficult for Americans to travel there.
In June, France reopened its borders to Americans, exempting fully vaccinated Americans from quarantine. However, since then, France has had multiple COVID-19 ups and downs, leading to the establishment of the French Health Pass (Pass Sanitaire) for both residents and tourists (excepting minors under the age of 12).
You may enter France without a Health Pass, but you’ll need one if you want to visit any of the country’s indoor attractions, such as restaurants, cafés, movies, museums, and theaters, as well as zoos, amusement parks, sports stadiums, festivals, concerts, and campgrounds. A Health Pass is also necessary to board intercity trains, long-distance buses, and domestic flights within the destination since August.
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Those who had immunizations in other EU countries have their vaccinations immediately entered into France’s national health system and may earn a Health Pass, which is a digital QR code connected to one’s COVID-19 vaccine records, test results, or recovery certificate. The procedure for acquiring a Health Pass prior to entering France was a little more complicated for persons who had been immunized outside of the European Union, but it was still doable.
However, beginning of October 31, the method under which Americans may apply for Health Passes before to their travel has been completely eliminated in France. Travelers from the United States may still get a French Health Pass QR code, but they must do so after arriving at their destination.
Visitors who have been vaccinated outside of the European Union may now get a Health Pass in a few different methods, according to updated procedures. The first is to have their passport and vaccination card data validated for a cost of up to €36 (about $42) at any of the partner pharmacies located across the Republic.
According to USA Today, there are already 33 participating pharmacies in and around Paris, with a total of 96 throughout the nation. You’ll need to show your valid passport and an authentic paper vaccination card with your date of birth, vaccination date(s), number of doses, and the country where the immunizations were administered.
If you are unable to get your documentation checked at one of these pharmacies, you may take another approach. Travelers may get a temporary Health Pass by passing a COVID-19 test in France, where fast antigen tests are accessible at many local pharmacies on a walk-in basis.
The findings contain a QR code that may be used to generate a 72-hour temporary Health Pass. However, you’ll have to be tested every 72 hours at your own own if you use this strategy, with antigen testing normally costing between $30 and $35. Your vacation might end up costing a lot more than you expected, depending on the size of your group and how long you’ll be in France.
The “pass sanitaire france english” is a health pass that allows travelers to enter France before their arrival. The pre-arrival pass was created for US citizens, but now France has decided to pause the program.
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