The U.S. Embassy in Paris has reassured French citizens that there are “no immediate changes” to Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) procedures under the Visa Waiver Program. French passport-holders may therefore continue to make short business or tourism visits of up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. (visaverge.com)
The clarification follows online speculation that Washington might tighten documentation ahead of the EU’s own ETIAS electronic permit, expected late 2026, and amid wider security reviews linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup venues in North America. Embassy officials emphasised that any modification would be published in the Federal Register well before implementation, giving airlines time to adapt check-in systems.
![U.S. Embassy says ESTA rules unchanged for French travellers]()
Need practical assistance navigating ESTA confirmations today or ETIAS filings tomorrow? VisaHQ’s Paris-based team can help French travelers complete online authorizations, renew passports, and obtain work or study visas for destinations worldwide—start your application in minutes at https://www.visahq.com/france/
For mobility managers the message is twofold: (1) continue using ESTA but double-check that employees’ passport numbers match their online approvals, and (2) prepare travellers for longer arrivals processing once the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) starts recording fingerprints and facial images later this year. The embassy also reminded repeat visitors that back-to-back trips can still trigger extra questioning if officers suspect de-facto residence.
HR teams should brief staff that ESTA remains a privilege, not a right of entry, and that travellers engaged in remote work for a U.S. entity or who plan client-facing tasks must seek the appropriate U.S. work visa. (visaverge.com)
The clarification follows online speculation that Washington might tighten documentation ahead of the EU’s own ETIAS electronic permit, expected late 2026, and amid wider security reviews linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup venues in North America. Embassy officials emphasised that any modification would be published in the Federal Register well before implementation, giving airlines time to adapt check-in systems.
Need practical assistance navigating ESTA confirmations today or ETIAS filings tomorrow? VisaHQ’s Paris-based team can help French travelers complete online authorizations, renew passports, and obtain work or study visas for destinations worldwide—start your application in minutes at https://www.visahq.com/france/
For mobility managers the message is twofold: (1) continue using ESTA but double-check that employees’ passport numbers match their online approvals, and (2) prepare travellers for longer arrivals processing once the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) starts recording fingerprints and facial images later this year. The embassy also reminded repeat visitors that back-to-back trips can still trigger extra questioning if officers suspect de-facto residence.
HR teams should brief staff that ESTA remains a privilege, not a right of entry, and that travellers engaged in remote work for a U.S. entity or who plan client-facing tasks must seek the appropriate U.S. work visa. (visaverge.com)
