Here is an update of the entry formalities to the USA that you can also find in the Formalities section of our website. We invite the Trade in France to communicate this information to their staff and their clients.
This news is dedicated to the French Trade but many other countries are concerned by the following rules.
CUBA :
French travelers who have visited Cuba since January 12, 2021 are invited to apply for a visa at the US Consulate in France. The law mentioning this information is currently being implemented.
The ESTA website has not been updated yet, but travelers could be refused upon arrival in the US or upon boarding in France if they are in possession of an ESTA and not a visa.
ENTRY TO THE USA FROM CANADA OR MEXICO:
As of October 1, 2022, French travelers crossing the border from Canada to the USA or from Mexico to the USA will need to be in possession of a valid ESTA.
Until now, the I-94W form had to be completed at the border and the ESTA was not required.
NAMES TO USE FOR MARRIED WOMEN:
U.S. authorities require French citizens to use their name as it appears on their French passport. Married women should ideally use both names: maiden name and married name separated by a space on their travel documents. If people scan their passport on the official ESTA website (new optional option), the maiden name will be prioritized on the final document. In this case, we strongly recommend that women apply for their airline tickets and ESTA under their maiden name so that all documents match.
COVID-19 FORMALITIES:
The vaccination schedule is considered complete 14 days after the administration of a second dose (Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax or Janssen).
If people are partially or fully vaccinated with other vaccines, 1 additional dose of an « accepted » vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax or Janssen) + 14 days is required.
If the traveler had COVID recently, two documents attesting to a cure of COVID-19 will be requested, it means a positive test with a sample collected within 90 days prior to departure, and a statement issued by a licensed health care professional or public health official attesting that the passenger has been cleared for travel.
As of June 12, 2022, French travelers to the United States are no longer required to take a COVID test if they are fully vaccinated. The law has been lifted.
Children under 18 are exempt from the vaccination requirement, because of the ineligibility of some young children for vaccination, and the global variability in access to vaccination for older children who can be vaccinated. On the other hand, a sworn statement will be required for unvaccinated children from 2 to 17. These ones will have to be tested 3-5 days after arrival in the U.S, or go into isolation for 5 days (+5 days in case of symptoms or positive test result).
The following CDC document should be completed by all travelers over 2 years of age wishing to visit the U.S. prior to their trip: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/NCEZID_FRM_Pass_Attest_Eng_d2c_FRENCH_508.pdf This document must be printed and presented to the airline.
Since August 1st, 2022, the presentation of the health pass is no longer required to come back to France, regardless of the country or zone of origin.
Please note that it is possible to get tested for free or for very little money in the United States. Here is a link where you will find a list of all the free testing sites, state by state: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html
