Visiting national parks, taking a road trip on the Californian coast, getting your fill of culture in bustling New York... So many essentials during a stay in the United States.
If staying there is relatively simple for travelers, be careful not to forget certain documents before boarding, such as Esta or your vaccination certificate against Covid-19.
We summarize everything for you.
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With which travel documents can one go to the
United States
?
Nationals of around 40 countries, including France, are exempt from visa requirements for tourist or business trips of less than 90 days.
Nevertheless, it is necessary to request an
electronic travel authorization (Esta)
before departure.
This request must be made exclusively on the official website of the American authorities, esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
Beware of unofficial sites that claim higher fees.
The price of Esta was reduced from $14 to
$21
in May 2022. It is valid for two years from the date of authorization or until your passport expires.
Filling out the online form takes about twenty minutes.
Then, the authorization is delivered almost instantaneously, or at the latest within 72 hours.
It is not mandatory to print the confirmation (your passport will be recognized automatically when going through immigration), although it is advisable.
French people who have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 1, 2011 and all people who have dual nationality (Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria) cannot benefit from the visa waiver, and must therefore apply for one from a US embassy or consulate.
In addition, "
beneficiaries of the Visa Waiver Program, including French nationals, having or residing in Cuba
[State designated as supporting terrorism, editor's note]
as of January 12, 2021 will need a visa to travel to United States
”, underlines the Border Protection Service.
Read alsoThese stamps on your passport could ruin your next vacation
What health measures are in place to deal with Covid?
The southern tip of Manhattan, New York.
Eric Martin / Le Figaro Magazine
International travelers over 18 must have a
Covid-19
vaccination certificate .
You are considered fully vaccinated if you have received at least two doses at least 14 days before your arrival.
Please note: in the eyes of the American health authorities, "
a person who has received only one dose and who has recovered from Covid-19 does not meet this definition and is therefore not considered fully vaccinated for travel to the United States
”, details the tourist office, VisitTheUSA.
On the other hand, there is no need to carry out a screening test before traveling to the United States.
However, this obligation was reinstated on December 29, 2022 only for travelers from China (negative test within 48 hours).
Read alsoNational parks of the American West: our practical advice for preparing your trip
Which airlines fly to the United States?
To New York
Five companies serve New York by direct flight from Paris:
Air France
,
French Bee
,
Delta
,
United
,
American Airlines
.
Added to this is
La Compagnie
, a specialist in 100% business class flights.
Nice is the only city in the region to be connected by flight with Delta (from March).
On the price side, count at least 370 € for a round trip in economy class with Air France.
To know the prices on this very competitive axis, it is best to use a flight comparator like Skyscanner.
The year 2023 will see the arrival of two new players on this route.
From March 26, 2023, the Norwegian
Norse Atlantic
will provide a daily round trip between Paris-CDG and New York-JFK.
In the summer of 2023, it will be the turn of the low-cost American company
Jet Blue
to embark on this same route.
But whoever says new company, says introductory offers and particularly advantageous prices.
Read alsoFlight Paris-New York: which company to choose?
To the rest of the country
On departure from Paris-CDG, Air France serves 10 American destinations in addition to New York: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco and Washington DC French Bee also serves Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Finally,
Air Tahiti Nui
lands in a single American city: Los Angeles.