Ambassador of France H.E. Anne-Claire Legendre revealed that the embassy would resume receiving new visa applications from Kuwaitis and residents of Kuwait starting from 1 July.
Speaking during a meeting with local media, Ambassador Legendre said that since the end of May, the embassy has received many requests for student visas and requests to renew visas that expired in the last one year by visa holders who were unable to travel due to the closure of the airspace. She added that the French visa center operates from 8am to 4pm every day, except on weekends. She added that the visa center receives between 50-80 requests per day.
Elaborating on epidemiological classification for passengers arriving in France, the ambassador explained that Kuwait was on the orange list, which meant passengers arriving from this country are required to be fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine approved by the European Union, and to also have results from a PCR test conducted 72 hours before traveling. However, those in the age groups between 12-16 years are excluded from vaccination, provided that their parents have received both doses of approved vaccines.
She revealed that obtaining a Schengen visa does not grant the traveler freedom of movement between European countries, and they should review the conditions set by each country separately regarding travel restrictions and quarantine.
Regarding the possibility of traveling directly from Kuwait to France, the ambassador said that currently there are no direct flights, but that it is possible to travel to France through many other destinations. She added that discussions on direct flights were going on with the authorities in Kuwait.
Regarding the latest developments in French-Kuwait relations, the French ambassador indicated that she witnessed remarkable developments in all fields. She also met with the Prime Minister and other ministers to discuss many issues related to the fields of health, education, and defense. She stressed that the two countries have strong relations concerning security and military cooperation.
She pointed out that the cooperation between the navies between the two countries is distinguished, revealing an expected visit of a French frigate to Kuwait soon, as well as the continuation of cooperation in the training of military students.
She also stated that she discussed with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled the issue of Kuwait and France’s celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them, which will include high-level visits by many officials of the two countries. She indicated that work is currently underway to prepare for holding a strategic dialogue committee between them.
Regarding her recent meeting with the Minister of Health, the ambassador said that she met him recently and it was agreed to train medical and nursing cadres, revealing that an agreement was expected to be signed to establish a French hospital in Kuwait within the next ten days.