Since January 1, 2024, France has started issuing Digital Schengen visas, thus becoming the first Schengen Area member to pilot these types of visas in the European Union, before a complete digitalization of the Schengen visa procedures sometime in 2026.
French authorities are planning to issue around 70,000 digital visas for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games, scheduled to be held between July 26 to August 11 and from August 28 to September 8, 2024, in Paris.
Due to the low number of visas planned to be issued through such a system, not everyone will be eligible to apply. According to French authorities, two categories of third-country citizens requiring visas to enter France qualify for the French Digital Schengen visa:
- Members of the Olympic and Paralympic Family for whom an application for accreditation is submitted to the Olympic or Paralympic Committee (OCOG).
- Other official guests invited by the OCOG.
The first category includes Members of the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, international federations, as well as members of national Olympic and Paralympic committees.
At the same time, part of the first category are also members of the Olympic Games organizing committees and national associations, more specifically:
- Athletes
- Judges/referees
- Coaches
- Other sports technicians
- Medical personnel attached to teams or athletes
- Journalists accredited to the media
- Senior executives
- Donors
- Patrons
Those eligible, will be able to apply for a visa through a much simplified and less time-consuming process. Amongst others, they won’t have to wait for an appointment, collect documents, or pay the normal Schengen Visa fees. All categories eligible for a Digital Schengen Visa will be exempt from all visa and service fees.
The procedure will differ 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.
Persons invited by the OCOG to attend the games must complete a visa application with the France-Visas website, and collect the documents listed there. They should also provide a letter of invitation from the OCOG. No fee payment is required for this category either.
Providing biometrics – fingerprints and photos – at the visa center is a must for both categories.
On the other hand, spectators who wish to attend the games will have to apply for a regular Schengen Visa.