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on September 30, 2021
Published on August 24, 2021– Updated on August 24, 2021

Travel to France: information for international students and researchers

Welcome to France strategy covid-19 !

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, France continues to welcome international students and researchers. Depending on the country and the vaccination status, the procedures to follow to enter French territory may vary. 

France has done everything to help you reach your host institution safely. Depending on your country of origin and your vaccination status, the procedures that apply when entering France may vary. We recommend that you get fully vaccinated before leaving your country to make it easier to enter and live in France.

Approved vaccines for entering France

Approved vaccines for entering France are those recognized by the European Medicines Agency (Comirnaty/Pfizer, Moderna, Vaxveria/AstraZeneca, and Janssen) and foreign vaccines similar to those authorized in Europe (Covishield etc.)

Please get fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognized by France before your departure.

If you are unable to be vaccinated before coming to France, you will be offered an opportunity to get vaccinated as soon as possible after your arrival, in conjunction with Social Security and your host institution, especially if you come from a country in the red zone.

How can I come to France ?

Countries have been classified based on various health indicators.

  • “Green” countries: countries without active circulation of the virus and variants of concern

  • “Orange” countries: countries where the virus is actively circulating but in controlled proportions, without the spread of variants of concern.

  • “Red” countries: countries with active circulation of the virus, and variants of concern

The lists of countries, travel statuses and required certifications are available in French and English on the French Ministry of the Interior’s website.

These lists are updated each week. See the website for the most recent version.

 
You are coming from a "Green" country

International students and researchers coming to France from “green” countries may enter France without restriction.

The list of “green” countries, travel statuses and required certifications are available in French and English on the French Ministry of the Interior’s website.

You are vaccinated 

 Vaccinated students and researchers must provide when boarding and on arrival:

  • a proof of vaccination: certificate demonstrating full vaccination with the necessary doses, showing at least 28 days since the administration of one dose of the Janssen vaccine or 7 days since the administration of a second dose of the other vaccines.

  • a sworn statement: statement certifying that you do not have any symptoms of Covid-19 and that you have not been in close contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to departure.

You are not vaccinated

Unvaccinated students and researchers must provide when boarding and on arrival:

  • a negative PCR or antigen test dated from less than 72 hours before departure*.

  • a sworn statement: statement certifying that you do not have any symptoms of Covid-19 and that you have not been in close contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to departure.

* PCR or antigen test < 24hrs for monitored countries: Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.

You are coming from a "Orange" country

Vaccinated international students and researchers coming to France from “orange” countries may enter France without restriction.

Non-vaccinated international students and researchers coming from “orange” countries must prove a compelling reason to come to France.

The list of “orange” countries, travel statuses and required certifications are available in French and English on the French Ministry of the Interior’s website.

You are vaccinated 

Vaccinated students and researchers must provide when boarding and on arrival:

  • a proof of vaccination: certificate demonstrating full vaccination with the necessary doses, showing at least 28 days since the administration of one dose of the Janssen vaccine or 7 days since the administration of a second dose of the other vaccines.

  • a sworn statement: statement certifying that you do not have any symptoms of Covid-19 and that you have not been in close contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to departure.

You are not vaccinated

Unvaccinated students and researchers must provide when boarding and on arrival:

  • a negative PCR test from less than 72 hours or a negative antigen test from less than 48 hours*

  • a sworn statement: statement certifying that you do not have any symptoms of Covid-19 and that you have not been in close contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to departure. The statement should also indicate, that you agree to undergo screenings on arrival and that you agree to self-isolate for 7 days.

  • an international travel certificate: certificate stating that your travel to France is due to a compelling reason. It should be accompanied by supporting documents.

* PCR or antigen test < 24hrs for United Kingdom

List of compelling reasons for "orange" countries :

  • Student enrolled in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) courses prior to enrollment in higher education

  • Student admitted to oral examinations to enter French higher education institutions

  • Student enrolled in a higher education institution (including FLE) for the 2021–2022 academic year

  • Researcher or teacher (including a language assistant) moving to France, at the invitation of a research laboratory or higher education institution, for research or teaching activities requiring a physical presence, along with their partner (married, civil partner, or cohabitating partner with proof of partnership) and their children.

You are coming from a "Red" country

Vaccinated students and researchers coming to France from “red” countries may enter France without restriction.

Non-vaccinated students and researchers coming from “red” countries must prove a compelling reason to come to France.

The list of “red” countries, travel statuses and required certifications are available in French and English on the French Ministry of the Interior’s website.

You are vaccinated

Vaccinated students and researchers must provide when boarding and on arrival:

  • a proof of vaccination: certificate demonstrating full vaccination with the necessary doses, showing at least 28 days since the administration of one dose of the Janssen vaccine or 7 days since the administration of a second dose of the other vaccines.

  • a sworn statement: A statement certifying that you do not have any symptoms of Covid-19 and that you have not been in close contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to departure.

You are not vaccinated

Unvaccinated students and researchers must provide when boarding and on arrival:

  • a negative PCR or antigen test from less than 48 hours

  • a sworn statement: statement certifying that you do not have any symptoms of Covid-19 and that you have not been in close contact with anyone with Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to departure. The statement should also indicate, that you agree to undergo screenings on arrival and that you agree to isolate for 10 days. This quarantine is mandatory and controlled by authorities.

  • an international travel certificate: certificate stating that your travel to France is due to a compelling reason. It should be accompanied by supporting documents.

  • a proof of accommodations: documentation showing the full address where you are staying after arriving in France.

List of compelling reasons for "red" countries:

  • Student enrolled in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) courses prior to enrollment in higher education

  • Student admitted to oral examinations to enter French higher education institutions

  • Student enrolled in a higher education institution (including FLE) for the 2021–2022 academic year

  • Researcher or teacher (including a language assistant) moving to France, at the invitation of a research laboratory or higher education institution, for research or teaching activities requiring a physical presence, along with their partner (married, civil partner, or cohabitating partner with proof of partnership) and their children.


Preparing for your arrival in France

Social Security

Please join Social security to benefit from the French healthcare system.

Students coming from a “red” country must join the social security system before arriving in France. If you are not vaccinated, you will be given a vaccination appointment more quickly.

For all other students, please join Social Security as soon as possible after you arrive, so that you can benefit from the French healthcare system.

Register online on: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/

How do I register for French social security coverage from my home country?

This exception is only available to students planning to come over from “red list” countries.

You will be able to register for membership in the French social security system while still in your home country. This means that you will have French health insurance coverage from the moment you arrive in France as well as easier access to vaccination.

Go to https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/
Enter the requested information as if you were already physically in France
If you don’t yet have an official certificate of school enrollment, your certificate of admission will be accepted for your social security registration. All the other documents you will be asked for are mandatory.

Quarantine and accomodations

If you are required to isolate after arriving:

  • Stay home as much as possible.

  • Avoid contact with others.

  • Wear a mask if you are living with others.

  • Monitor your temperature.

  • Report any symptoms to a doctor immediately

  • Notify your host in advance so that they can take appropriate measures (disinfecting, etc.).

For unvaccinated individuals from “red” countries, this quarantine period is mandatory and monitored by the health authorities.

Additional recommendation

When you arrive in France, we also recommend that you:

  • Wear a mask in closed spaces (and outside where required)

  • Follow the official information from the French government

  • Download the TousAntiCovid government application

  • Contact your host institution for distance support about your reception and course.

  • Immediately contact a doctor in case of symptoms

When I am expected to reach CY Tech and attend CY Tech orientation week ?

Provided you comply with the above-mentioned latest Covid-19 safety rules and regulations, CY Tech will welcome you on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021, at 10 am sharp for a 4-day Orientation Week (our detailed  Orientation Week schedule-including information on how to acces and benefit from the French Security System- will be sent to all of you on  Tuesday, August 31st).This implies that you will be able to reach France at the latest on Monday, September 6th.