The U.S. State Department is urging U.S. citizens planning to travel to France for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games to check their passports and renew them as soon as possible if necessary.

  • The Olympics will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11 and the Paralympics will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8. Millions of U.S. citizens are expected to travel to France this summer to attend the games.
  • Passports can be renewed at any time and by mail, if applicants qualify. According to the State Department, routine passport processing is currently taking six to eight weeks and expedited processing is ranging from two to three weeks; however, wait times often increase as summer approaches.
  • To enter France, a U.S. passport must be valid for at least three months before the end of a trip.
  • The U.S. Embassy in Paris has established a Special Events page for the Olympic and Paralympic Games that includes travel tips and reminders.

Additional Information: The French government has launched a new Olympic consulate system to streamline the visa application process for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. While U.S. citizens generally do not need a visa to enter France, travelers can complete a short online questionnaire to determine if they require a visa.

BAL Analysis: Given the millions of people expected to travel to France for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, travelers should take care of U.S. passport needs as soon as possible to minimize any complications that could impact travel plans. BAL will continue following developments in the lead-up to the Games and will provide updates as information becomes available.

Read more U.S. immigration news.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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