Immigration update: France | PCR tests now needed for almost all travellers to France

PCR tests now needed for almost all travellers to France

With a view of limiting the number of potential Covid-19 holders entering the country, the requirements to enter France have now been updated.

1. Update of the list of “safe countries”

As a general rule, every traveller seeking to enter France during the pandemic shall fall under one of the exempted categories, such as Passeport Talent, Medical worker, or family of EU national. They shall present a certificate at the border to evidence same, and consulates in foreign countries are only allowed to issue visas listed as exempted categories.
This rule doesn’t apply to travellers entering from EU countries, EFTA countries & European microstates, the UK, and a limited number of third countries. This list of third countries, allowed to enter for any reason (including tourism or business) has been modified and now includes the following:

+ Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand.

Singapore is new to the list, and the following 4 have been taken off: Canada, Georgia, Tunisia, Uruguay.

2. Update of the list of countries with mandatory PCR

In line with recent announcements that no traveller should be allowed to enter France if authorities haven’t confirmed negative Covid-19 test, the below now applies:

+ Negative PCR (test 72h max) to be presented before boarding by travellers aged 11 or more, travelling from: Algeria, Barheïn, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Irak, Iran, Israël, Lebanon, Morocco, Panama, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Zimbabwe. Boarding will be denied if PCR test cannot be provided.

Previously, only 4 countries were subject to PCR before boarding.

+ Negative PCR (test 72h max) to be presented before boarding or PCR test made at the airport upon arrival in France for travellers entering from all other countries.

It is recommended that every traveller carries a negative PCR test when seeking entry. If same cannot be provided, test will be performed upon arrival.

+ Only the travellers from the below countries are exempted from the need of PCR test:
– Other European Union Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden
– EFTA countries & European microstates: Andora, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican
– The United Kingdom
– Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand.
This corresponds to the list of countries allowed to enter for any reason with no travel certificate, mentioned above.

We will continue to keep you updated on further developments and assist you as soon as possible to get the requested authorizations for future and current assignees to enter and circulate.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact:

Alexandra Demeure
Immigration Manager
Western Europe cluster
Alexandra.demeure@santaferelo.com

To read more immigration updates, click here

About our Immigration Services

Our immigration services manage thousands of visa applications every year for a multitude of international companies. Our experienced immigration experts and migration agents handle the immigration process for you and provide simple reporting and guidance on immigration matters.

Back to news

Sign up now to get all the latest updates!

Subscribe

Select login type

If you haven’t received your login details then please get in touch with your relocation contact

Login as an assigneeLogin as a client

Santa Fe WeChat QR code
ID: SantaFeRelo
Hello, just to let you know we are not providing services to the selected location at the moment.