Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Paris, France (January 1, 2022)

Health Alert – U. S. Embassy Paris, France (January 1, 2022)

Location: All France

Two Events:

France changes U.S. travel status to “Red”
Extension of program allowing travel to the United States on certain expired U.S. passports

Event 1:

The French government has announced that as of midnight January 2, the U.S. will move from an “orange” to a “red” nation under French COVID-19 travel guidance.

For fully vaccinated travelers, there is no change in entry requirements. Fully vaccinated travelers will continue to need proof of their vaccination status, a sworn statement certifying the absence of COVID-19 symptoms and of any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and a negative PCR or antigen test taken less than 48 hours prior to departure (departure of first flight in case of connecting flights).

Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must present a negative PCR or antigen test no more than 48 hours prior to departure (departure of first flight in case of connecting flight(s)). Depending on their country of departure, travelers may be subject to screening on arrival, for which they will be requested to complete the form available at: [https://passager.serveureos.org%20/]https://passager.serveureos.org. In addition, travelers who are not fully vaccinated will be subject to a 10-day, government imposed and enforced quarantine (exceptions exist for transit passengers). Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must also provide:

A sworn statement certifying the absence of COVID-19 symptoms and of any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19;
A sworn undertaking to take an antigen test or biological examination on arrival in metropolitan France;
Proof of home address or proper accommodation (hotel or equivalent), specifying, where applicable, how government officers can gain access to confirm compliance with the quarantine measures.

French testing rules do not apply to children under 12 years old.

French government rules also require travelers who are not fully vaccinated to show a compelling reason to travel from France to the United States; U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents returning to their residence in the United States are considered to have a compelling reason.

More information on the French rules can be found at https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel

In addition, U.S. travel regulations still apply, including the need for all travelers age 2 and older to present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) performed no earlier than the day before their flight departs. Non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident travelers must also show they are fully vaccinated as defined under U.S. law or meet one of a very narrow list of exceptions. Please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html for more information on current U.S. travel rules.

Event 2:

If you are overseas and your U.S. passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to the United States until March 31, 2022.

You qualify to travel on your expired passport if all the following are true:

You are a U.S. citizen.
You are currently abroad seeking direct return to the United States.
You are flying directly to the United States, a United States territory, or have only short-term transit (“connecting flights”) through a foreign country on your direct return to the United States or to a United States Territory.
Your expired passport was originally valid for 10 years. Or, if you were 15 years of age or younger when the passport was issued, your expired passport was valid for five years.
Your expired passport is undamaged.
Your expired passport is unaltered.
Your expired passport is in your possession.

You do not qualify to travel on your expired passport if:

You wish to depart from the United States to an international destination.
You are currently abroad seeking to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the United States or to a United States territory.
Your expired passport was limited in validity.
Your expired passport is a special issuance passport (such as a diplomatic, official, service, or no-fee regular passport).
Your expired passport is damaged.
Your expired passport is altered.
Your expired passport is not in your possession.

Please be advised that currently, routine passport processing in the United States can take 8-11 weeks. For an additional $60, domestic applicants can request expedited service. Domestic applicants also may request 1-2 day delivery of their completed passport for an additional fee. See www.travel.state.gov for our current processing times and schedule of fees. Adults with 10-year passports can renew them by mail instead of appearing in person at a domestic passport acceptance facility. If you have urgent international travel plans, you may be eligible for an appointment at a domestic passport agency or center. Appointments are limited and must be scheduled by phone. For more information, see: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html

If your U.S. passport expired on or before December 31, 2019, please see our website for information on how to renew your passport before traveling. Emergency temporary passports may be available in some cases for urgent travel: https://fr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/

Actions to Take:

All U.S. citizens should enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and ensure you can be located in an emergency.
Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in France.
Refer to our website for the latest Alerts and Messages for U.S. citizens: https://fr.usembassy.gov/
Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, including testing requirements to return to the United States.
For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.