France Digital

France has made history by becoming the first European Union nation to introduce digital Schengen visas, streamlining the visa application process for participants attending the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The decision aims to enhance efficiency and prevent any complications in the processing of visa applications.

The newly implemented system, known as the "Olympic Consulate," officially commenced operations on January 1, 2024. In a significant move, France plans to issue approximately 7,000 digital Schengen visas online for athletes, journalists, and foreign delegations participating in the events.

The Ministry of Interior of France emphasised the need for an innovative system to ensure the timely issuance of visas, crucial for the seamless organization of the Games. The France-Visa platform will be the exclusive channel for filing and processing applications for digital Schengen visas.

Under this pioneering system, applicants will not receive traditional visa stickers on their passports. Instead, the digital visas will be seamlessly integrated into the accreditation cards of eligible participants.

France anticipates processing around 15,000 visa applications for international athletes and 9,000 applications from journalists and foreign delegations. The streamlined process is expected to facilitate the influx of approximately 1.5 million individuals from around the world, including athletes, journalists, and spectators, during the Summer Olympic Games from July 26, 2024, to August 11, 2024, and the Paralympic Games from August 28, 2024, to September 8, 2024.

In a noteworthy development, France is set to host the Summer Olympic Games for the first time in a century and the Paralympic Games for the first time in its history in 2024. The country is gearing up to accommodate 15,000 athletes, over 9,000 accredited journalists, and a massive audience from across the globe.

As part of the preparations, the Ministry of Interior advises individuals planning to attend the Games in Spain to check and meet the entry requirements and purchase tickets in advance. Ticket prices vary based on the sports, ranging from €5 for the cheapest ticket to €3,000 for the finals. The move towards digital Schengen visas showcases France's commitment to leveraging technology for the smooth and efficient execution of international events.