Applications for France’s digital health pass are temporarily closed
Editor’s note: This post is regularly updated with new information.
As of Nov. 2, the application process for Americans wishing to obtain the French health pass has closed. Upon arrival to France, travelers are advised to take a negative antigen or PCR test to secure a 72-hour pass.
Since announcing the French health pass also known as the “pass sanitaire,” the method for obtaining the pass has changed four times — the latest of which has resulted in temporarily barring Americans from fulfilling the necessary vaccination requirement to go virtually anywhere indoors in France through at least July 2022.
What got us here
What initially seemed like a simple enough process has evolved into an ongoing mess for travelers eager to get their croissant fill in Paris.
Back in July, the U.S. Embassy in France advised vaccinated Americans heading to France to take their CDC-issued vaccination card to a French pharmacy for conversion to an online French vaccination record system. Following that advice, many TPG readers said French pharmacists refused to assist them or had no idea what they were talking about (including one who claimed a pharmacist cursed him out at such a request).
In light of the complications, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the embassy issued updated guidance advising travelers in early August to submit applications for the health pass via email:
“In accordance with the decision by the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, we have put in place with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs a specific system for non-EU tourists who are already in France to receive a QR code which will be valid as a French COVID certificate,” French Minister of State for Tourism, French Nationals Abroad and Francophonie Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said in a press statement on Aug. 9. “Foreign tourists can submit their applications. To request a QR code, simply e-mail us with proof of vaccination, an identity document, the downloadable application form and your airline ticket.”
Related: My experience getting a COVID-19 test in France
On Aug. 27, they unveiled what was supposed to be a more streamlined online application system via two online applications — one for French nationals living or vaccinated abroad and one for everyone else, including non-European foreign nationals and tourists.
However, because they were presumably being inundated with applications from tourists wishing to visit (more than 4.5 million applications to date), the French government then announced yet another new online application for “non-European foreigners” to request a conversion of a foreign vaccination certificate into a French health pass. But there was a catch: Applications were only processed for travelers already in France or who planned to be in the next few days.
Essentially, travelers were told not to expect to receive the health pass ahead of their trip, even though it was very much necessary to enjoy most activities in France. As you might suspect, this created a lot of issues. Numerous TPG readers all detailed their unique ordeals with both the second and third iterations.
Applications now closed to US travelers
This brings us to the last week of late October, when the online application portal appeared to prevent any submission of applications outside of French nationals.
Related: Here’s how you can show proof of vaccination in France
The French Embassy in Washington, D.C. appeared just as baffled as the rest of us.
“I think there has been some misunderstanding. The consulate here has NOTHING TO DO with the applications for QR Codes, which are all centralized in Paris,” a spokesperson for the embassy said via email on Nov. 1. “There has been no change in the procedures, and your readers just have to apply on the links below and in a few days, they shall have an answer.”
The aforementioned “corrected” link was anything but — it simply directed you to apply for the pass as if you were a French national, which was helpful to no one but the French.
At this point, a second press person from the embassy confirmed the procedure had been temporarily halted as of Oct. 31.
“They are not taking new applications,” the embassy said via phone on Nov. 1. “We always advise them to fly to France and obtain a temporary QR code that could be generated at a pharmacy.”
The spokesperson was referring to submitting a negative COVID-19 test for a temporary pass in lieu of a health pass. When the application process was live, such a temporary pass was a potential fail-safe. But at this time, it’s the only option for Americans traveling to France who don’t already have a valid health pass.
“This system is open to non-European foreign nationals, tourists and students enrolled in French higher education establishments who are already in France, arriving for the start of the academic year, or before 5 September for non-student foreign nationals,” the embassy said on Oct. 5. “Requests concerning subsequent arrivals will be processed at a later date.”
When I cross-checked with the first embassy employee who suggested a “misunderstanding” of sorts, I got this response: “Yes, you are right, this is the change that has just been done.”
Still confused? So are we.
Right now, U.S. travelers should expect to have to go through the process of getting a health pass once already in France since the application is closed to non-French nationals. However, note that it’s a risk to travel there without guarantee of being able to get the temporary health pass needed to participate in many indoor activities.
Related: Protests erupt as France introduces new vaccination requirements
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.