Flying From France to the US This Winter: The New Health Form and Your ESTA

Paris to New York for the Christmas markets, a family visit in Montréal with a stopover in the US, or a business trip to Chicago: for many French travellers, a winter trip to the United States is already booked. Before you pack, there are two things to check, and one of them is brand new.

From 3 November 2026, every passenger on an international flight to the US must complete a short health declaration before boarding. At the same time, the cost of the ESTA, the online authorisation most French citizens use instead of a visa, went up slightly on 16 October 2026. Here is what each change means for you, in plain words.

The New Health Declaration

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, known as the CDC, introduced the form as part of its response to an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. It is not a medical test and it does not ask about your general health. It asks one simple thing: were you in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before your flight?

The rule covers everyone on a flight to the US, whatever their nationality, including passengers who are only connecting through a US airport. A stop at an airport in that country counts, even if you stayed in the transit area. Flying over it without landing does not count. Each traveller signs their own form, and a parent can sign for a child under 18.

Most airlines are expected to add the form to online check in, so for many people it will take a minute. Without a completed and signed form, the airline must refuse boarding. The measure is set to run until 18 December 2026, unless the US authorities change or extend it.

What Your US Trip Costs Now

Each person needs their own ESTA, including babies. If you renew your passport, your old ESTA no longer works and you must apply again with the new passport number.

Social Media Questions: Still a Proposal

You may have read that the US wants ESTA applicants to list their social media accounts from the last five years, plus past email addresses, phone numbers and family details. This was published as a proposal in December 2025. In February 2026, the US Embassy in France confirmed it was not in force and that the social media field remained optional. At our last check in October 2026, we could not confirm that it had become mandatory, so look at the official form when you apply rather than relying on headlines.

Your Checklist Before You Fly

1. Check that your passport is valid for your whole stay and is an electronic passport.
2. Apply for or check your ESTA on the official US government website or app, at least 72 hours before departure.
3. Watch for the health declaration during online check in, or ask your airline how to submit it.
4. Keep proof of your return ticket and where you will stay.
5. Save your ESTA number and the airline confirmation on your phone.

Who Should Take Extra Care

• Travellers who have recently been in Central Africa, even only in transit.
• Dual nationals and people who have visited certain countries, who may not be able to use ESTA and need a visa instead.
• Anyone whose earlier ESTA was refused or who once overstayed in the US.
• Families travelling with children, since each child needs a separate ESTA and form.

If your ESTA is refused, you can still apply for a visitor visa at the US Embassy in Paris or a US consulate. That route takes longer, so do not leave it to the last week.

Before You Rely on Any Figure

The details above reflect official US announcements and reliable reports as of October 2026. Health measures can be extended or lifted at short notice. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

A US trip from France still needs only an ESTA for most travellers, but it now costs 40.62 US dollars and comes with a one minute health declaration for flights from 3 November 2026. Use official websites only, check your airline's instructions, and give yourself time if your situation is unusual.