The Embassy of France in Manila said Filipinos who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 may now apply for a visa after the Philippines was placed under the "orange" classification.
Filipinos are now allowed to apply for a visa regardless of the purpose of their travel by providing proof of vaccination, the embassy said in a statement on June 8.
The embassy, however, said it will only accept vaccine recipients of brands registered by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson."
For unvaccinated persons coming from countries under “orange” classification, they must present a compelling purpose for their entry.
Visa applicants are also reminded to observe strict health protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus.
"The modalities for scheduling an appointment remain unchanged. The health measures for receiving visa applicants by our outsourcing center, VFS Global, will continue to be strictly observed (wearing a mask, checking temperature, etc.)," the statement read.
The embassy also clarified that the issuance of a visa still does not guarantee the possibility of immediate entry in France and that it remains to be determined by the applicable border restrictions.
"Before applying for a visa, it is recommended to verify if you are indeed authorized to enter France by consulting the following page: certificate of travel," it added.