Traveling has become complicated in these times, between official and unofficial information, fakes news... the formalities related to travel are constantly changing! What to be a little disoriented. So we give you an update on our destinations!
The points on our destinations for linguistic stays
Malta 🇲🇹
- On the way out
As of July 14, 2021, following an announcement by the Maltese Minister of Health, travelers will be allowed to enter Malta under the following conditions:
o Either with proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (2 doses and 14 days elapsed after the 2nd dose, except 1 dose and 28 days for Janssen vaccine) will be allowed to enter Malta.
o Either with a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old / !\ in this case, they will have to undergo a compulsory and controlled quarantine in a dedicated hotel selected by the health authorities, at the travelers' expense (100€ per night) / !\
==Non-vaccinated Maltese residents will have to present a negative PCR test of less than 72h and should be allowed to request to perform their quarantine at their address in Malta (information by writing to Covid19.vetting@gov.mt. ==
- On return (to France)
The complete vaccination certificate with the QR code Ameli.fr is valid.
Otherwise, the decree 2021-724 was published on June 7, 2021. It stipulates that as of June 9, a negative antigenic test less than 72 hours old is sufficient for anyone over 11 years old from a "green" country of the European Union to enter France.
Where to get an antigen test in Malta 📍:
https://www.visitmalta.com/en/info/swab-centres/
➡️ Results in 1/2 hour
The social security pays a fixed sum of 35€ for the antigenic tests: https://www.ameli.fr/assure/covid-19/tester-alerter-proteger-comprendre-la-strategie-pour-stopper-lepidemie/les-tests-de-depistage-de-la-covid-19/les-tests-antigeniques-du-sras-cov-2
Once you are back in France, you have to send the results to your health insurance company, via the ameli.fr website. It is also recommended to contact your mutual insurance company to check if additional coverage is possible.
The health situation is constantly evolving, we invite you to consult our website which is regularly updated before your departure: https://mt.ambafrance.org/Avertissement-aux-voyageurs
UK 🇬🇧
There are no restrictions for travelers who have been vaccinated, except for a declaration on their honor.
It should be noted that school trips are not considered essential reasons for travel to the UK.
New students may enter the country but must present a negative COVID-19 test that was administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival and remain in quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Prior to departure, students must book a travel test package (to be completed on the 2nd and 8th day after arrival) and complete the passenger tracking form. Once students have received two negative test results, their quarantine can end on day 10.
Note: Current residents of certain countries are not allowed to enter the UK.
Please see the "red list" here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19
Scotland 🏴
- It is possible to receive up to 6 people from 3 different households in your home, without observing social distancing;
- Pubs, cafes and restaurants can serve alcohol and be open until 10:30 pm. No more than 6 guests from 3 different households may be seated at one table. Masks are mandatory as well as a distance between tables;
- Only 8 people from 8 households can meet outside, this does not concern children under 12 years old;
- All public places and businesses are open, except for nightclubs and fairs. The public remains limited in number (according to the respect of the distance of 2 meters), with a maximum of 100 people inside and 500 outside.
→ UK & Scotland: If not vaccinated, a negative test less than 72 hours old is required to enter England and Scotland. It can be a PCR test or an antigenic test (provided that it meets a specificity threshold of 97% and a sensitivity threshold of 80%).
It is essential to be able to present the original test result certificate (in English, French or Spanish, translations will not be accepted) which must include:
- name, which must be identical to the name on the travel documents;
- date of birth or age;
- test result;
- the date the sample was taken or received by the testing facility;
- the name of the testing facility and its contact information;
- the name of the test used.
Irland 🇮🇪
For the moment, language schools have not reopened and are waiting for government announcements to receive students again.
However, it is possible to travel to the territory provided that a PCR test is done within 72 hours, in addition to the PLF form to be filled out upon arrival. The traveler must also do a quarantine (with the possibility to reduce it if the result is negative after a minimum of 5 days of quarantine).
South Africa 🇿🇦
- A curfew is observed between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. throughout the country;
- Gatherings are limited to a maximum of 100 people indoors and 250 people outdoors, up to 50% of the maximum capacity;
- Wearing a mask remains mandatory in public areas and failure to do so is an offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment;
- The sale of alcohol is authorized outside the curfew hours.
French travelers can benefit from visa exemption for stays of less than 90 days. Otherwise, same old story: negative PCR test of 72 hours for entry into the territory, this time, a mandatory temperature test on arrival, and the obligation to download the COVID Alert South Africa application on your phone.
USA 🇺🇸
The U.S. borders are currently still closed to tourist visas. The only way to enter the country to take a language course is to obtain an F1 student visa. The time it takes to get a visa appointment at some embassies can be very long and, depending on the student's background, they may not be able to get a student visa until next year. Students with a valid B1/B2 tourist visa issued prior to the pandemic can still travel.
In New York State, international travelers no longer need to be quarantined. They only need to be tested for covid after 3 or 4 days in New York.
New students are allowed to enter the country on an ESTA, tourist visa*, or student visa, but must produce a negative COVID-19 test result that was administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival. LSI will also require students to be tested between days 3 and 5 after arrival. Students may be tested free of charge and may attend classes while awaiting their results. LSI may also require all students to undergo regular testing based on cases in the area.
Note: Currently, certain countries are prohibited from entering the United States as tourists. For more information, visit here
UAE 🇦🇪
The quarantine in Dubai is for tourists who take a mandatory PCR test at the airport and must isolate themselves for a maximum of 24 hours while waiting for a negative result.
All new students who will be housed in the residence, will be isolated for 24 hours unless they have a negative PCR test done in their home country,
In case of a registered Covid in a class, for the safety of other students, classes will be continued online for 1 week, and students must present a negative test when resuming face-to-face classes.
So in this situation, students have the choice to take the online classes or take a break, but either way, the school will add an extra week of classes for them.
→ Updated regulations related to the health situation in the United Arab Emirates: here
Japon 🇯🇵
Although all schools are open and offering classroom courses for students who were already in Japan and online courses for others, the borders of Japan remain closed.
However, there is still a chance for any student interested in taking a one-year or 18-month course on a student visa starting in October 2021 at our school in Fukuoka.
Long-term visa holders will be the first to be able to enter Japan this year, and I'm afraid they will be the only ones who can enter this year.
Genji School is also the only school that can still apply for student visas for the October 2021 school year!
The deadline for applications is July 20.
Here is the process for applying for a visa:
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1) The school receives all the student's registration documents before the deadline (the student must fill out an online form provided upon confirmation of the reservation).
*No need to translate documents, the school takes care of it
2) All documents are sent on behalf of the student to the Japanese immigration to apply for a student visa.
3) Once the visa application is accepted, the immigration will send GenkiJACS a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), a physical copy of which will be sent to the student after payment confirmation.
4) The student must then take this COE to the nearest Japanese embassy to apply for a student visa. The embassy will ask the student to leave their passport with them. The student cannot leave the country during this period. This process usually takes 10 to 15 working days.
5) After receiving their student visa on their passport, they can then enter Japan and start their language course with GenkiJACS.
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The general requirements for applicants are as follows
- Completion of compulsory education in their country
- Have savings of approximately 2,000,000 yen (can be combined with their guarantor, if applicable).
=> For an 18-month course, approximately 2,750,000 yen is required.
- Be prepared to study Japanese intensively!
Note: part-time work while in Japan => students with a student visa can also work up to 28 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours during vacations.
