The issuing of French visas to Fijians who intend to travel to France has ceased for the next 30 days at least, says French Ambassador to Fiji Jean- Francois Fitou.

He said this was a temporary measure by the French Government because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Fitou said their visa provider TT Services (TTS) had been ordered by the French Authorities to stop processing visas until further notice.

“TTS will not accept any application whether it is tourist, diplomatic or long stay visas and whether it is for main land France or any French Territory in the world,” he said.

“This includes the territories in the Pacific New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna and French Polynesia,” he said.

This, he said, was a painful measure they had to take.

“In France alone, roughly we have 8000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 almost 200 deaths and about 700, 000 people in Intensive Care Units.

“The only good news is that 5000 people have recovered from the virus.”

Fijians in France

Mr Fitou said Fijians in France were well looked after.

“Fijians in France including the many Fijian rugby players are of course taken care of.

“The French Health Care system is one of the best in the world and is totally fair to everyone who lives in France.

“You are not treated differently whether you are French national or Fijian.

“Fijians living in France with a permit to live there are allowed to go back to France if they so wish from Fiji, this is the same as French citizens who live here and do want to go back.

“For Fijian rugby players who are here and have permits to stay in France are also excluded from this visa restriction, they can go back to France if they want to,” Mr Fitou said.

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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