News 17 January 2022

COVID-19: Entry and stay of foreign talents in France

Conditions of travel to France from abroad

As of June 9, 2021, travels between third countries and France are authorized according to the health situation of the countries of origin and the vaccination of travelers. The countries of origin of travelers have been classified by the authorities according to their epidemic situation and are subject to differentiated measures. The lists of countries are subject to change depending on the evolution of their epidemic situation.

As of December 4, 2021, new travel rules come into effect in order to limit the spread of the Covid-19 and a new classification of countries appeared : the “scarlet red” list of countries.

List of countries classified according to their health situation

“Green” countries: the Covid-19 is not actively circulating.

This list includes: the European area (Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City), Argentina, Australia, Bahrein, Hong-Kong, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea, Taïwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

“Amber” countries: the Covid-19 is circulating actively but moderately without the detection of variants of concern.

This list includes: all non-EU countries except those on the “green” and “red” country lists.

Countries subject to specific measures : Travels to and from the United Kingdom are currently subject to specific measures due to the active circulation of a variant of concern.

“Red” countries: the Covid-19 is actively circulating and several variants of concern have been identified.

This list includes: Afghanistan, Belarus, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Georgia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Moldavia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“Scarlet red” countries : Particularly active virus circulation and/or discovery of a variant likely to present a risk of increased transmissibility or immune escape.

There are currently no countries classified as “scarlet red”.

For more information on the situation and the new travel conditions, please visit the government website.

Travelers coming from a "green" country

Vaccinated travelers from a “green” country must prove that they have received all prescribed doses of one of the vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency in order to be able to travel to France.

For their travel, they must carry proof of their vaccination status and a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel. In addition, a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 48 hours is required, except for travelers from a member state of the European Union, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, the Holy See or Switzerland.

People who have been vaccinated with one of the vaccines recognized by the EMA or considered as equivalent (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/ Covishield/Fiocruz/R-Covia and Johnson & Johnson) will be considered as fully vaccinated:

7 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield/Fiocruz/R-Covi);
28 days after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson);
7 days after a single injection for people with a history of Covid-19.

People who have been vaccinated with a Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik or other vaccines can be considered as fully vaccinated:

7 days after the single injection of a complementary dose of Messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for people who can justify being fully vaccinated with the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines (recognized by the WHO)
7 days after the 2nd injection of a Messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for people who are not fully vaccinated with the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccine (recognized by the WHO) or who are vaccinated with a Sputnik vaccine or other vaccine (not recognized by EMA or WHO).

Unvaccinated travelers must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test for Covid-19 performed within 48 or 24 hours before departure depending on the country of departure.

Travelers coming from a country of the European area (member state of the European Union, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, the Holy See or Switzerland) must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 24 hours.

Depending on your country of origin, you may be subject to screening on arrival for which you are asked, in order to facilitate administrative procedures, to complete the form available at the following address: https://passager.serveureos.org/

They are also required to carry a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel.

The measures applying to vaccinated parents also apply to their accompanying minor children, whether they are vaccinated or not. Nevertheless, minors between 12 and 18 years of age must present a negative test if they are not vaccinated. Minors under 12 years old are exempt from doing a test.

Find more information in the article “I am currently abroad”.

Travelers coming from an "amber" country

Vaccinated travelers from countries of the “amber” list of countries (except from the United Kingdom, see below) are not subject to the compelling reasons regime in order to travel to France.

To travel, they must come with :

a proof of their vaccination status ;
a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 48 hours before departure;
a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel.

7 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield/Fiocruz/R-Covi);
28 days after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson);
7 days after a single injection for people with a history of Covid-19.

People who have been vaccinated with a Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik or other vaccines can be considered as fully vaccinated:

7 days after the single injection of a complementary dose of Messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for people who can justify being fully vaccinated with the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines (recognized by the WHO)
7 days after the 2nd injection of a Messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for people who are not fully vaccinated with the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccine (recognized by the WHO) or who are vaccinated with a Sputnik vaccine or other vaccine (not recognized by EMA or WHO).

Travelers who have not been vaccinated have to :

carry the travel certificate that corresponds to their situation and includes the different compelling reasons applicable to the country of origin;
carry a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel ;
provide a negative PCR or antigen test for Covid-19 carried out within 48 hours of departure (except travelers from the United Kingdom who will have to present a PCR or antigen test of less than 24 hours);
accept to do an antigen test upon arrival if asked (for travelers aged 11 or over);
respect a 7 days isolation period after their arrival in France and do a PCR test at the end of it.

Find more information in the article “I am currently abroad”.

Travelers coming from the United Kingdom

As of January 14, 2022, vaccinated travelers from the United Kingdom must:

Provide evidence of their vaccination status;
Provide a negative PCR or antigen test for Covid-19 carried out within 24 hours of departure ;
Carry a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel ;
Accept to do an antigen test upon arrival if asked (for travelers aged 11 or over).

Unvaccinated travelers must:

Justify a compelling reason of travel with the corresponding travel certificate ;
Provide a negative PCR or antigen test for Covid-19 carried out within 24 hours of departure ;
Carry a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel ;
Accept to do an antigen test upon arrival if asked (for travelers aged 11 or over);
Respect a 10 days isolation period after their arrival in France and do a PCR test at the end of it. This isolation requirement can be lifted after 48 hours, provided that a negative PCR or antigen test can be demonstrated.
Register, prior to their trip, on a digital platform allowing them to enter the address of their stay in France on the following website : https://passager.serveureos.org

Find more information in the article “I am currently abroad”.

Travelers coming from a "red" country

Vaccinated travelers from a “red” country have to :

show a proof of their vaccination status ;
a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 48 hours before departure;
carry a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel.

7 days after the 2nd injection for double injection vaccines (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield/Fiocruz/R-Covi);
28 days after injection for vaccines with a single injection (Johnson & Johnson);
7 days after a single injection for people with a history of Covid-19.

People who have been vaccinated with a Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik or other vaccines can be considered as fully vaccinated:

7 days after the single injection of a complementary dose of Messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for people who can justify being fully vaccinated with the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines (recognized by the WHO)
7 days after the 2nd injection of a Messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) for people who are not fully vaccinated with the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccine (recognized by the WHO) or who are vaccinated with a Sputnik vaccine or other vaccine (not recognized by EMA or WHO).

Travellers who have not been vaccinated have to :

carry the travel certificate that corresponds to their situation and includes the various compelling reasons applicable to their country of origin;
carry a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel ;
provide a negative PCR or antigen test for Covid-19 carried out within 48 hours of departure;
do the antigen test on arrival (for travelers aged 11 or over) ;
respect a 10 days isolation period after their arrival in France which will be controlled by the authorities.

Find more information in the article “I am currently abroad”.

Travelers coming from a "scarlet red" country

Vaccinated or non vaccinated travellers from a “scarlet red” country have to :

carry the travel certificate that corresponds to their situation and includes the various compelling reasons applicable to their country of origin;
carry a sworn statement attesting that they have no symptoms of Covid-19 infection and that they are not aware of any contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel ;
provide a negative PCR test of less than 48 hours or antigen test for Covid-19 carried out within 24 hours before departure;
do the antigenic test on arrival (for travelers aged 11 or over) ;
respect a 10 days isolation period after their arrival in France which will be controlled by the authorities.

Find more information in the article “I am currently abroad”.

Conditions of travel on the French territory

A “health pass” is now required to access some specific places in France.

Since August 9, 2021, it must be presented to access:

trade fairs and shows, and to professional seminars ;
leisure and cultural venues (theaters, amusement parks, concert halls, festivals, sports halls, cinemas, etc.);
catering facilities (cafés, restaurants, etc.), with the exception of collective catering or takeaway sales of prepared meals, professional road and rail catering, room service in hotel restaurants and bars, and non-commercial catering, in particular the free distribution of meals;
long-distance travels on the national territory (domestic flights, TGV, Intercité and night trains, inter-regional buses);
health, social and medical services and establishments (people accompanying or visiting people in these services and establishments as well as those who are admitted for scheduled non-urgent medical care);
shopping centers of more than 20,000 square metres, by decision of the prefect of the department.

As of September 30, 2021, the presentation of a “health pass” is also mandatory for minors from 12 years and 2 months to 17 years old.

In order to travel and access the overseas departments and regions (DROM), different sanitary measures must be respected depending on the destination.

Find all the information about the “health pass” and the different travel conditions on the “I am currently in France” page.

Travel conditions to go outside the European area

Any vaccinated traveler (except from the United Kingdom as of December 18, 2021) will be able to travel outside the European area without providing a compelling reason.

Any non-vaccinated traveler wishing to travel to a country outside the European area will have to justify a compelling reason except if he/she goes to a country on the “green” list. The relevant travel certificate can be downloaded here.

It will also be necessary to inquire about health measures to be respected in the country of destination.

In France or abroad, you are wondering about your situation? Let us guide you and do not hesitate to contact us for further details through our contact form. A free hotline is also available: 0800 130 000.

News