February 1, 2006
French travelers waiting for visas for US
There are some interesting articles in the news about French people unable to visit the United States do to new US visa regulations and politics between French unions and the French governent. The International Herald Tribune reports that France has promised to begin issuing new high-tech passports demanded by the US in May.
The new US regulation affect 26 countries, and say that passports delivered after Oct. 25, 2005 must include an electronic chip with the image and fingerprints of the passport holder. The articles I've read seem more critical of the French union than anything else. Monsters and Critics even says that this is an example of whatt's wrong with the French economy:
The reason offers an insight of sorts into France's economic blues -- fostered in part by its seemingly all-powerful unions, which both protect workers and incense many victims of its strictures. When the French government tapped a private company to churn out the biometric passports, French unions blocked the move -- arguing the state-owned printing company should have the contract.Regardless of who's to blame, as more French people apply for visias to the US because they don't ahve the high tech passport, the wait for visa issuance from the US Consulate gets longer and longer. Posted by James Trotta at February 1, 2006 3:24 PM
Are these the same French people who didn't support our soldiers in Iraq? If yes, they can stay home. I hope they never get their visas.
Posted by: stayhome at February 3, 2006 10:29 PMWhat about Americans traveling to France? I am traveling to Paris in March.
Posted by: Curious at February 4, 2006 2:19 AMI haven't heard of any issues with Americans going to France, but I would call the French embassy or consulate and ask them. Or find their website.
Posted by: James Trotta at February 4, 2006 3:14 AM