Travel and Covid-19 Embassy FAQs
News
19 May 2021
Embassy FAQs
3. Conseils aux voyagers se rendant en Irlande
6. Passports/Foreign Birth Registration
1. Travel to France
Q: Can I travel to France from Ireland? What documents do I need to fill in and what are the formalities?
Due to the very active circulation of Covid-19 and particularly of new variants, travel to and from France is strongly discouraged and in some cases, prohibited. A negative RT-PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to departure will be required for all travellers arriving in France. Checks will be carried out upon boarding and arrival and passengers without a negative RT-PCR test will not be perrmitted to board their flight or ferry. Those transiting through France who remain airside are not obliged to fulfil the RT-PCR test requirement as long as it is not required for their final destination. Please also see the DFA travel advice page for France.
All those travelling to France must complete and carry the correct Sworn Statement for International Travel, based on their country of departure. These are available in French and English on the Ministry of the Interior website. Please note there are different documents for travellers aged 11+ and those under the age of 11. Please refer to the website of the French Embassy in Dublin and of the French Foreign Ministry, for full information in French and in English.
Q: Can I travel to France from other countries?
If you are arriving to or from a country outside the European space (or have travelled outside the European space within the last 14 days), you cannot enter France unless you have an exemption. Your trip must meet one of the exception criteria as listed on the exempted travel certificate and you will be subject to the health control measures including pre-departure RT-PCR test, sworn statement and completion of 7 days mandatory self-isolation upon arrival, with release from self-isolation upon a negative RT-PCR test after 7 days. The requirement to prove an exemption does not apply to those travelling to or arriving from Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, United Kingdom. Additional restrictions and a 10 day self-isolation requirement applies to those travelling to France from certain 'high-risk' countries including Brazil, India, South Africa, Argentina and Chile.
Please refer to the French Foreign Ministry's website and the Ministry of the Interior website for detailed information on these restrictions and documentation required for travel. Measures are in place for those travelling from a country where a RT-PCR test cannot be provided and you should contact the French Embassy or Consulate closest to you for further information.
Q. Where can I get an RT-PCR test in France?
RT-PCR testing is widely available for free throughout France. Information on testing centres is available on the French Health Ministry’s website.
Upon arrival, you are encouraged to download the TousAntiCovid app. If arriving in or transiting through France during curfew hours, you are required to complete and carry the correct attestation.
Travel to Overseas Territories:
Travel to the overseas territories is only permitted if you have pressing grounds for travel. You are advised to check the website of the relevant territory’s local government for up to date information, with links provided at the French Foreign Ministry's website.
2. Travel to Ireland
Q: What are the current restrictions regarding travel to Ireland from abroad?
Given the high circulation of Covid-19, the Irish government are advising against all non-essential travel. In order to protect public health and to prevent the entry of variants of concern, the Irish Department of Health has designated a list of ‘Category 2’ countries, which currently includes France and French Guiana. Any passenger arriving in Ireland, irrespective of nationality, who has been in, or transited through (even if remaining airside) any Category 2 country/territory in the previous 14 days, is legally required to pre-book and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine and complete the full 14 day quarantine period. You will be asked to present proof of your MHQ booking confirmation upon boarding. There are very limited exemptions to this requirement and it is an offence not to comply with these measures. All requests for exemption must be submitted to the Appeals Officer upon arrival in Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ireland in Paris do not have the capacity to exempt passengers from Mandatory Hotel Quarantine. For full information on Mandatory Hotel Quarantine and how to book, please see www.gov.ie/quarantine or contact the Department of Health's Mandatory Hotel Quarantine helpline, which is open 9am-5pm (Irish time), Mon-Fri. Please call +353 1 613 1744
Q. Are there any exemptions to completing Mandatory Hotel Quarantine?
Some limited exemptions apply. Those travelling to Ireland and seeking an exemption based on being fully vaccinated must satisfy the specific criteria outlined on this page, including proof of full vaccination of an EMA-approved vaccine. This proof must be in English or Gaeilge. If your vaccination certificate is in French, you will be required to avail of an official translation and carry this along with the original cert. A list of professional translators approved by the French courts is outlined here. Passengers arriving in the State and availing of an exemption, must complete the full 14 day mandatory quarantine at the address outlined on their Passenger Locator Form, or quarantine until they receive a negative result from an RT-PCR test at least 5 days after arrival in the State. You should carry proof of this result with you for at least 14 days.
If you are transiting through an airport or port in Ireland and remain airside you do not need to complete MHQ. Please note that those arriving into Ireland and driving up to Northern Ireland will be leaving airside/portside and therefore will be required to enter MHQ.
Q. What other travel restrictions are in place?
There is also mandatory requirement for all passengers age 6+ travelling into Ireland from abroad to show proof of a negative/not-detected pre-departure RT-PCR test taken less than 72 hours prior to arrival in the State. Passengers without a negative RT-PCR test will not be permitted to board. Some exceptions apply to those travelling for an essential function including HGV drivers, aviation and maritime crews and also to transiting passengers. The official negative RT-PCR test result can be in any written or other electric form and can be in the local language. Information on where to get a PCR test in France is available via: https://sante.fr/recherche/trouver/DepistageCovid
All travellers to Ireland are required by law to complete a Passenger Locator Form and there is a legal requirement for those travelling from non-category 2 countries to complete 14 day home quarantine (except if your journey originates in Northern Ireland). This 14-day quarantine period must be undertaken at the address specified on the Passenger Locator Form and persons who travel from another country to Ireland and arrive via Northern Ireland, must also observe the mandatory quarantine regime.
There is a temporary suspension of visa-free travel for South Africa and South American travellers and the Department of Justice has suspended the acceptance of all new visas/preclearance applications globally, except for those in emergency/priority categories.
We strongly advise that you carefully consult the gov.ie website for the most up-to-date information on the measures currently in place in Ireland. Anyone arriving in Ireland is asked to follow public health advice. If you are travelling onwards from Ireland into Northern Ireland, check this guidance on requirements in place for travel to Northern Ireland.
3. Conseils aux voyagers se rendant en Irlande
Toutes les personnes âgées de 6 ans et plus, arrivant en Irlande depuis l'étranger (y compris depuis la France) devront présenter un test PCR négatif effectué dans les 72 heures avant leur arrivée en Irlande. Certaines exceptions s'appliquent aux travailleurs de première ligne, y compris les conducteurs de poids lourds, les équipages aéronautiques et maritimes. Toutes les personnes qui arrivent en Irlande sont aussi obligés de remplir le formulaire « Passenger Locator Form » avant leur arrivée en Irlande. La liste des centres de dépistage proposant un test PCR est disponible sur: https://sante.fr/recherche/trouver/DepistageCovid
La quarantaine obligatoire à l'hôtel est requise pour les passagers qui se sont rendus dans les pays désignés, y compris ceux qui ont transité par un port ou un aéroport dans un pays désigné, même s’ils sont restés dans l'enceinte de l'aéroport ou du port, dans les 14 jours précédant leur arrivée en Irlande. A partir de 04h00 le 15 avril, la France sera ajoutée à cette liste et rejoindra la Guyane française. Avant de vous rendre en Irlande, vous devez réserver et payer un séjour pour votre quarantaine obligatoire à l’hôtel.
Certaines exceptions limitées s'appliquent y compris les conducteurs de poids lourds, et les passagers qui peuvent prouver qu'ils sont entièrement vaccinés. Des informations complètes sont disponibles ici, et aussi sur le site de l'Ambassade de France en Irlande.
4. Restrictions in France
Q. What restrictions are currently in place in France and how long will they last?
There are a range of restrictions in place throughout the country and you are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities.T he French Government has published a phased re-opening plan, where restrictions will be gradually lifted on 3rd May, 19th May, 9th June and 30th June. Inter-regional travel is now permitted and remote working is still strongly encouraged. Masks are required in all public places. From 19th May, a national curfew is in place between 9pm-6am. During curfew hours, you should not leave your home, except if required to do so for professional or emergency reasons. You will need to complete and carry a declaration, or 'attestation derogatoire'. All declarations (including in English) and full information is available on the Ministry of the Interior website. Failure to comply with the curfew will result in a fine of €135 and of €1500 for a repeat offence.
Full information on restrictions is available on the French Government's website. You are also advised to check your local prefecture's website for specific information for your area.
Information on Foreign Travel is available on our Travel Advice page and in the 'Travel to France' section below.
5. Visiting the Embassy
Q: Can I come to the Embassy for an appointment?
In line with the French government's confinement restrictions, the Embassy team are currently operating under hybrid working. Consular Services are still fully available for Irish citizens and the Embassy's public offices are accessible by appointment only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9.30am-12pm. Appointments must be made in advance and can be made by phone (+33 1 44 17 67 00) or email (paris@dfa.ie). We ask that all applications and relevant documentation be submitted to us by post or email.
All visitors to the Embassy must have made an appointment, bring Photo ID to gain entry to the building and must wear a mask. If you have had any Covid-19 symptoms, have come into contact with a positive case of Covid-19 in the last 14 days or have arrived in France from abroad and are within your mandatory self-isolation period, please do not attend the Embassy. We will be happy to reschedule an appointment for a later date.
6. Passports and Foreign Birth Registration
Q: How can I apply for my passport?
All passport applications by those resident in France, whether they are first-time passports or renewals for both children and adults should be made through the Passport Online service.
If you are residing in Monaco or French overseas territories, you must renew your passport online, but first-time applications are made through the Embassy using a paper form. These are the only applications that will be accepted via paper application going forward, all other applications should be made online. Please check with us that before sending a paper application to confirm eligibilty, or else your application and documentation may be returned.
If you are in France or Monaco and your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to return to Ireland, you may qualify for a one-way Emergency Travel Document to return to Ireland. Please contact Embassy or closest Honorary Consul if you require this service.
Q: What is the status of my passport application, and when will my passport be ready?
If you have applied for your passport online, you will have been given a tracking number to check the status of your application. If you have any queries regarding your online passport application, please contact the Passport Service's Customer Support Hub webchat or phone line and have your tracking number ready. Please note, the Embassy cannot provide status updates or information regarding applications made online.
Q: My passport has been issued, when will I receive it?
If your application was submitted to the Embassy via paper application, we will contact you by telephone or email to let you know when your passport and original documents are being sent by registered post to your address.
If your application was made online, you will be able to track your passport with the postal service, using the tracking number you were given when you applied. If you have been informed that your passport has been dispatched for post more than 4 weeks ago and you still have not received it, please contact the Embassy.
Q: What is the status of my application for Foreign Birth Registration?
The processing of Foreign Birth Registrations is currently suspended, due to the impact of COVID-19.
Applications that have been sent to the FBR Office in Ireland have been securely held and will be processed in strict date order upon resumption of services. At present, due to the complex nature of the Foreign Birth Registration it takes at least 18 months to process a completed Foreign Birth Registration application and this processing time has been increased due to Covid-19 related suspensions.
All FBR applications are being processed directly by Dublin. As such, any queries regarding the status or processing of a Foreign Birth Registration should be directed to the FBR web chat. You will be contacted directly by the FBR Office in Dublin when your certificate is ready. Please note that the Embassy cannot provide further updates on FBR applications at this time.
Q: How can I submit an application for Foreign Birth Registration?
All applications for Foreign Birth Registration must be submitted online. These applications are processed directly bythe FBR team in Dublin and the Embassy is no longer involved in this process. Full information on FBR is outlined here. You are requested not to submit any supporting documentation to Dublin until FBR processing resumes. Please check the website for updates.
7. Visas
Q: Are you accepting new visa applications?
Not currently. Please check the INIS website for updates on processing. As part of the combined efforts to tackle COVID-19 and to ensure customer safety, the Department of Justice has taken the decision to temporarily cease accepting new visa/ preclearance applications. Increasing travel restrictions and the measures introduced as part of the Irish Government’s efforts to interrupt the transmission of COVID-19 means that travel may not be possible and even if possible is not advisable unless absolutely essential. It is currently against the law in Ireland for any person (regardless of nationality or passport) to undertake international travel for non-essential purposes and people can be fined for doing so. Please note, new measures suspending visa-free travel for nationals of South Africa and several South American countries came into effect on 27th January 2021. Nationals from these countries travelling to Ireland from France or transiting through France will not be admitted boarding if they are not in possession of a valid Irish visa or Irish Residence Permit.
While it will still be possible to apply for an Irish visa/preclearance online in the normal manner, these temporary measures mean that unless the application relates to an emergency/priority case, the application will not be processed until further notice. This also applies to all non-emergency/priority applications submitted before 29th January 2021. Please note that any application made online will remain valid until such time as restrictions are lifted, but please contact us if you would like your application and documents returned. We intend to resume accepting applications as soon as this suspension is lifted.
Certain priority/emergency cases will continue to be processed. For further information on relevant categories, please see the website of Immigration Service Delivery. If you fit into a priority/emergency visa application category, please email the Embassy directly via paris@dfa.ie so that we can guide you through the application process and advise you how to submit your documentation. Visa applicants are requested to contact the Embassy by email only, so that we can respond to your query as soon as possible.
Q: Has my visa been approved? When will I receive it and will I be able to travel?
In order to ensure that all visa applications receive fair and equal treatment, applications are dealth with in the order they are received. For reasons outlined above, only applications related to an emergency/priority case will be processed at this time. If your application falls under one of these categories, you will be contacted as soon as it has been issued. You should not book travel to Ireland until after you have received your visa from the Embassy.
Q: What if my travel date has passed, can you please give me the approval automatically for a later date?
If your travel dates have passed, you may be required to submit new documentation to support your visa application once normal service resumes. You may wish to withdraw your application and reapply at a later date. If you would like your application and file to be returned, please contact us via paris@dfa.ie Please note, as per INIS policy, outlined at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/inis/pages/fees , a fee paid to the Embassy for visa services is administration fee that covers the cost of processing an application. As such, the Embassy cannot issue a refund if an application is refused or withdrawn.
