The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is set to take place on the River Seine on Friday, July 26.
To ensure that all members of the ‘Olympic Family’ – including accredited athletes, coaches, officials, and media – have been able to obtain their passes in time, France launched a virtual system to streamline the application process.
Visa Processing
Known as the ‘Olympic Consulate’, this system has been processing short-stay visa applications for accredited visitors who benefit from priority processing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
It has aided with waived visa applications and service fees, minimised documentary requirements and allowed applicants to retain their travel documents or passports during the process as opposed to submitting them to authorities.
From January 1, 2024, applications related to the Paris 2024 Games have been processed through the digital platform France-Visas, where applicants submit their biometric data online.
The visas are then integrated directly into the applicants’ accreditation card.
Those with a letter of invitation from the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (OGOC) have also benefited from a simplified visa process with no application fees and access to a dedicated appointment calendar to submit biometrics and visa applications.
Members of the ‘Olympic Family’ also include medical personnel, donors, patrons and other official guests of the OGOC.
All other categories of non-EU/European Economic Area/Swiss nationals remain subject to regular visa application procedures and entry requirements. This means that for those wishing to attend the Olympic Games as supporters, the normal visa application procedure applies.
The large visa application influx has also meant that anyone traveling to or bidding to relocate to France has had to be aware that appointment and processing delays were to be expected.
Benefits of Digitalised Processing
Digitalising visa processing on such a large scale brings many benefits for authorities, most notably increased efficiency. Digital systems reduce the need for physical paperwork and streamline the application process, which significantly reduces the time required to process visas.
With increased integration with other databases and online platforms, digitalised systems allow for better data sharing among governmental agencies and international authorities. This enhances the ability to verify information and improves security checks.
These benefits also extend to applicants. Applicants can easily track their status online, providing greater transparency and improved communication between applicants and authorities.
Visa regulations are changing all the time. The implementation of digital systems to handle increasing volumes of visa applications is enabling authorities to become more adaptable to evolving traveller needs and circumstances.
The behind-the-scenes heroes involved in helping these large-scale events happen shouldn’t be forgotten. When you’re watching the impressive commitment and athleticism of the Olympians this summer, don’t forget the impressive performance of the professionals and systems behind getting them and the rest of the ‘Olympic Family’ to Paris.
About the author
 |
Nomadic Director Jen Fackelman is a recognized thought-leader in short-term cross-border business travel. An industry innovator, Jen brings extensive experience to the business travel conversation and opens new and exciting debates on topics. She is based in London. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn. |