News Digest: Will the US Restrict Voting Rights for Overseas Citizens?

US citizens living in France will want to be aware of some potential changes that may affect them even while living overseas. First is the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, H.R. 22, which was thrown out by the Senate last year but has reemerged this year. It introduces tightened rules on voting in US elections, most notably the requirement to show proof of citizenship in person when registering to vote or updating a registration. This would effectively end online voter registration, meaning that US citizens overseas would be required to return to the US if they wish to partake in elections. You can find out more about the act and how to take action against it here.

Another important change that would affect US citizens in France is the potential closure of consulates in France. According to Politico, Trump’s plans to shrink the State Department and reduce the number of overseas embassies could see four US embassies in France close. The list of consulates marked for potential closure includes those in Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes, and Strasbourg, along with others in Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Brazil. If this was approved, it would leave a single US consulate in Marseille, alongside the US Embassy in Paris – drastically reducing the contact points and assistance available for to Americans living in France. So far, this hasn’t been confirmed or denied by the State Department, but we’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) has been in place since the start of the year for non-EU/EEA citizens, and from April 2^nd, the new visa waiver scheme will also apply to all EU and EEA citizens visiting the UK. Online applications for the travel authorization, which costs £10 and is valid for two years from the first date of travel, open from tomorrow (Wednesday, 5^th March). The ETA must be applied for in advance and you should allow a minimum of three days prior to travelling. However, UK authorities recommend applying four weeks before to ensure enough time to reapply if your initial application is rejected. As the scheme is new and may inevitably run into some teething problems, we recommend applying now if you are planning to travel to the UK in April or May.

You only have to register once, and your ETA will be valid for unlimited travel within a two-year period up to a total of up to six months at a time. The ETA is tied to your passport, however, so if you change your passport in this period, you will need to reapply and pay the application fee again.

Note that while UK citizens living in France do not need an ETA if they are travelling to the UK with a UK passport, spouses or family members travelling with a French, EU or other international passport will need to apply for an ETA.

Read our full guide:  ETA Visa Waiver for the UK: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re looking to move to France in 2025 or beyond, don’t miss our next free webinar. I’ll be joined by Fabien Pelissier of Fab Expat to break down the application process, talk you through the different visa types available, and arm you with all the information you need to move to France in 2025.

Register now to secure your place on the free webinar!

How to get a French Visa in 2025

Thursday 27th March 2025, 4:00 pm London  / 5:00 pm Paris