(Updated on 25 Jan 2022) Information: Reopening of French borders - Filipino students and researchers traveling to France for AY 2021-22

First posted on 15 Jun 2021 ⎪ Last updated on 25 Jan 2022

The color-coded categories of countries have been defined based on health indicators. The classifications of countries may change according to the evolution of their epidemic situation.

As of the latest update on July 31st, the Philippines is classified as part of the “orange” countries. 

For the most updated information, please visit the website of the French Ministère de l'Intérieur ➜ Select: Travel from an amber list country → You wish to enter Metropolitan France

What does this mean for Filipino students and researchers who are planning to travel to France for the start of the 2021 academic year?

Traveling to France, arriving from “orange” countries 

“Orange” countries: countries where the virus is actively circulating but in controlled proportions, without the spread of variants of concern. These are all other countries that are not classified as “green” or “red” zones.

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Color classification of countries as of 2 Dec 2021

French Government - Ministère de l'Intérieur

A) Vaccinated students and researchers coming from an “orange” country

Fully-vaccinated students and researchers* who are coming to France from “orange” countries may enter France without restrictions and will not be subjected to a required quarantine period upon arrival.

* NB: Vaccines accepted in France are those which are recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA): AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech

They must provide the following information before boarding and to border control authorities:

1) Proof of vaccination (this will only be considered as valid as long as it confirms a full vaccination).

• At least 7 days after the second shot for two-shot vaccines (AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer)
• At least 28 days after the shot for single-shot vaccines (Johnson & Johnson)
• For persons who have received all the required doses of a WHO-licensed vaccine not approved by the European Medicines Agency, 7 days after receiving an additional dose of an EMA-approved mRNA vaccine

NB: The Philippine LGU-issued vaccination card is accepted by French immigration authorities. 

2) A sworn declaration certifying that the traveler does not show signs of Covid-19 and has not met anyone with Covid-19 in the last 14 days

3) Results of a virological (PCR) or antigen screening test taken less than 48 hours prior to departure that did not detect any COVID-19 contamination

The required sworn declaration can be downloaded from the website of the French Interior Ministry ➜ https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel#from4

• Select: Travel from an amber list country → You wish to enter Metropolitan France → Section 2.2. Health control measures → Download the ”Statement of Honor” document

B) Unvaccinated students and researchers coming from an “Orange” country

Unvaccinated students and researchers coming from “orange” countries must prove a compelling reason (see list of authorized travelers for essential travel from the French Interior Ministry) to come to France and present these documents upon boarding and to border control authorities:

1) Results of a virological (PCR) or antigen screening test taken less than 48 hours prior to departure that did not detect any COVID-19 contamination

2) A sworn declaration certifying that the traveler does not show signs of Covid-19 and has not met anyone with Covid-19 in the last 14 days and accepts to be subject to a test at the arrival. 

• This declaration also certifies that the traveler undertakes to respect isolation for 7 days after arrival and to carry out a PCR test at the end of the isolation period.

3) An international travel certificate mentioning the compelling reason for travel, which include the following relevant categories: 

• ​Students enrolled in French as a foreign language (FLE) course prior to and must be followed by enrollment in a French higher education institution for a degree program
• Students of Undergraduate/Licence, Master's, or PhD degrees, who are accepted into or enrolled/registered at a French higher education institution for the start of the 2021-2022 academic year 
• Researchers settling in France on the invitation of a research laboratory, for research activities that require a physical presence

4) One or more documents justifying the reason for travel

Please make sure to visit the website of the French Interior Ministry (https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel#from4) for the following information and documents: 

• International travel certificate which contains the list of authorized travelers for essential travel (compelling reasons for travel) 
  • Select: Travel from an amber list country → You wish to enter Metropolitan France → Section 2.1. Mobility rules and regulations → ‘If you are not vaccinated…” → Download the travel certificate to Metropolitan France 
• Sworn declaration 
  • Select: Travel from an amber list country → You wish to enter Metropolitan France → Section 2.2. Health control measures → Download the ”Statement of Honor” document

❗️Please remember❗️

If you are unvaccinated (including those who are not vaccinated with EMA-recognized vaccines, see above) and if your situation is not listed in any of the categories identified as essential travels, then you are not authorized to enter France until further notice.

For additional information on these classifications and their implications on your upcoming travel to France,

please refer to the links below from the website of the Embassy of France to the Philippines