Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
16th Jun 2021

France eases border restrictions with colour-coded system for international arrivals

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • The French government has reopened the country’s borders as of 9 June, but with different conditions in place depending on whether or not international travellers are vaccinated and also based on the country of origin
  • The government has introduced a green-orange-red classification scheme for all countries around the world
  • Those arriving from green or orange countries may enter France to study, but study is not included among the essential reasons under which arrivals from red countries may travel to France

The Government of France has announced that border restrictions have been eased as of 9 June under a green-orange-red classification model that spans the globe. A country's assignment within the French "traffic light" scheme sets up distinct conditions, a government statement explains, "that vary depending on the health situation of third countries and the vaccination of travellers."

As the following map illustrates, as of 2 June, all EU countries belong to the green category, as do Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Also as of 2 June, designated red countries include Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Turkey, Uruguay, and South Africa. These countries are placed in the red category based on the prevalence of COVID cases among their respective populations and/or the "presence of variants of concern".

All other countries – that is, those not in the green or red categories – are designated as orange.

Colour classification for international arrivals to France as of 2 June 2021. Source: Government of France

As a more detailed government brief on the border reopening explains, there are very different conditions that attach to arrivals from each group.

Green countries

Vaccinated travellers arriving in France from green countries, for example, may enter the country without any testing or quarantine requirements and may travel to France for any reason. However, proof of vaccination is required – via France's Passe Sanitaire (a mechanism akin to the EU's Digital Green Certificate).

France will accept certification for one of four vaccines recognised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA): Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. To be considered vaccinated, travellers must arrive at least two weeks after a second injection of the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccines, or at least four weeks after a Johnson & Johnson injection.

Unvaccinated visitors from green countries are required to present a negative PCR test result obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival.

Conditions for arrivals from green countries. Source: Government of France

Orange and red travellers

Fully vaccinated travellers from orange countries will need to arrive with a negative PCR test result received within the previous 72 hours. But there are no other testing or quarantine requirements, nor are there any restrictions in terms of the reasons for travel. The conditions for unvaccinated "orange" travellers, however, are more stringent.

Those without proof of vaccination may enter France only when travelling for essential purposes. Crucially, however, attendance at a French higher education institution (or language preparation for further studies in France) are included in the definition of essential reasons – or motif imperiuex – under which unvaccinated travellers may enter France when arriving from orange countries.

Even so, those travellers will also require a negative PCR test result received within the previous 72 hours, will need to self-isolate for seven days after arrival, and will also require a second negative test result at the end of that quarantine period.

Conditions for arrivals from orange countries. Source: Government of France

Travellers from red countries are under still more strict conditions and cannot enter France, except for a more limited range of essential reasons (which, in the case of red countries, does not include study in France).

The government will update these classifications periodically after the 9 June reopening. Please see this page for the most up-to-date groupings of green, orange, and red countries.

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • Australia: With ELICOS under pressure, peak bodies push for reduction in “extortionate” visa fees Read More
  • Mystery shopping study finds broad improvement in student enquiry handling this year Read More
  • South Korea hits its 300,000 student target two years ahead of schedule Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Australia: With ELICOS under pressure, peak bodies push for reduction in “extortionate” visa fees The latest data from the Department of Education reveals that enrolments in Australia’s ELICOS sector (English Language Intensive...
Read more
South Korea hits its 300,000 student target two years ahead of schedule In 2023, the South Korean government announced a plan to attract 300,000 international students by 2027: 220,000 in...
Read more
Canada: Study permit numbers are in steep decline in 2025 In 2024, the first year under Canada’s current cap on new international student enrolments, the total number of...
Read more
UK confirms levy on international student fees as new analysis argues that government is “drastically underestimating” the impact of the move Updated for 30 September 2025: On 29 September, the Department of Education announced that it would reinstate “means-tested...
Read more
US administration’s new H-1B policies create uncertainty around post-study work rights The H-1B programme is a key policy mechanism for international students in the United States. Aside from the...
Read more
China leverages higher education capacity with expanded TNE partnerships As with most statistics about China, the latest higher education figures are a little dizzying. Enrolment in the...
Read more
France reports more than 443,000 international students in higher education for 2024/25 The latest data release from Campus France reports a record-high foreign enrolment in the country. There were 443,500...
Read more
Foreign enrolment in Canadian K-12 held steady in 2024/25 International student enrolment in public school boards in Canada declined marginally this year. The latest data from the...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links