More than a year after the reopening of the borders, a meeting between the US Tourist Office in France and the US Consulate General in Paris took place last month to review the conditions for entry into the USA.
Rémy Vénitien, President of the U.S. Office of Tourism in France, has decided to speak out about current travel formalities. These have evolved since the Covid-19 pandemic, and there is a lot of information to know. Topics covered included visas, theESTA and we therefore see a impact on tourism.
The American consulate claims that the delays in obtaining consular appointments and visas are longer than normal. Staff recruitment processes are underway. It has been stated that this should be resolved as soon as possible. Solutions have been found, as it is now possible to obtain an appointment before the end of 2022 and not in April 2023. After registering on the consulate website, travelers can book an appointment and track the status of their application, or even check if another slot is available sooner. Every day, new slots are added in particular following several cancellations. It has also been clarified that urgent requests from French residents will be prioritized. The Tourist Office nevertheless warns that visa applications should be made in advance, in order to obtain a visa in time for departure.
If you have visited Cuba since January 12, 2021you are no longer eligible for ESTA and will need to apply for a visa at an American consulate. Even if you have an approved ESTA, it's up to the immigration officer to decide whether or not you can enter the country.
💡 What to do if your ESTA is refused?
If you have made a mistake when filling out the Electronic Travel Authorization (ESTA) form, you have the option of contact the Department of Homeland Security (Department of Homeland Security) to enable you to request an amendment to your application and apply for a visa in parallel at an American consulate. Travelers are advised to apply for ESTA as soon as they know their departure date for the United States.
💡 How does the United States hope to attract its future travelers for 2023?
Although the destination saw a drop in numbers following Covid-19, it is keen to expand again and attract future travelers for 2023. It's an important destination for French travelers, many of whom visited the USA in 2019. However, travel to the destination has slowed since the pandemic. As is the case for most countries, there has been a notable price increases for air travel and accommodation. Nevertheless, North America remains an affordable destination, thanks in particular to the development of airlines "on the market. One example is FrenchBee. The Office de Tourisme is confident that tourism to the United States will pick up again, as it is seeing a large number of bookings with tour operators and airlines for the summer of 2023.
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