Digital visa to be issued for Paris Olympic games

Franche is issuing some digital visas for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games. Around 70,000 digital visas are expected to be issued for the games between July 26 to August 11 and from August 28 to September 8, 2024. 1.5 million visitors are expected to attend the games. 

Who is able to apply for the Schengen digital visa?

The digital visas for the Olympic and Paralympic Games are being issued to only a few people. According to French authorities, some of the third-country citizens requiring visas to enter France who qualify for the French Digital Schengen visa include:

• Athletes
• Journalists
• Delegations for the Olympic and Paralympic games
• Other official guests invited by the Olympic or Paralympic Committee (OCOG)
• Members of the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, international federations, as well as members of national Olympic and Paralympic committees
• Judges/referees
• Coaches and other sports technicians
• Medical personnel of the athletes
• Donors and patrons

How is the visa application process?

Individuals eligible to apply for a digital Schengen visa to visit France can obtain the required visa through a simplified and expedited application process. They can acquire the visa without the need for an in-person appointment, submission of physical documents, or payment of the standard Schengen Visa fees.

The procedure differs a bit for the Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Family, and guests. The first will only have to show up at the visa center on the scheduled time, and provide their passport, and valid accreditation certificate issued by the OCOG. Those invited by the OCOG will need to complete a visa application through France-Visas website, collect the documents listed and provide a letter of invitation from the OCOG.

When you apply for the digital visa, you will not have it affixed to your passport. It will be integrated directly into your Games accreditation cards.

If you do not fall under the citizens eligible for a digital visa for the games, you will have to apply for a normal Schengen visa to travel to France. 

France becomes the first EU country issuing digital Schengen visas

Since the beginning of 2024, France has started issuing digital Schengen visas. As such, it has become the first member to send out these types of visas in the European Union. Digital Schengen visas are expected to be issued for all EU countries in 2026.

In France, the digitization of the Schengen visas comes after the initiative for Olympic and Paralympic participants. The main goal of this digitalization is to streamline the visa application process. 

When all countries of the EU start implementing the digital visa application processes, not only will you be able to get a visa to Europe easier and quicker than before, but it will reduce costs involved with the application. Most tourists will be able to process the visa through a single online platform that will inform about the specific country that will process the visa.

The Schengen visa will allow travelers to visit the Schengen Area, 26 European countries. You will be able to travel between these countries with just one visa during a specified period of time.