French Poly Visa

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Paul L

I just looked at the Noonsite comments and then Google translated the referenced French Polynesian law. In the translation this appears to only apply to Customs, not immigration. So your boat can stay 18 months, but it says nothing about the immigration and the crew.

Yep, unfortunately the new law applies to whether you have to pay duty on your boat (customs) not visas (immigration.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by NorthPacific

Any advice about getting a french Poly visa in Vancouver? Mrs is Thai so not as simple as it could be. They also insist that you get the visa within 3 months of your proposed visit.

French Polynesia visa application form online. Apply for a visa to French Polynesia

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...ench-polynesia

Apologies if you've already gone through these...
If your going non-stop... hit Nuku Hiva and clear in there.. very laid back and relaxed... if your wed likely she get transit clearance.. but no guarantees..

[NorthPacific]

It is a bio visa so any site claiming to be able to do it is BSing or worse. This is such a waste of time. 4 day drive for 15 mins! We still have to buy an airline ticket.

It is the line no guarantees that is irksome.

[delilah]

If anyone could answer this question i would appreciate it. Once I receive a long term visa for French Polynesia do I still need a return ticket back to USA still.
I am applying in NYC so I can stay and cruise the Islands for over a year. Also has anyone bought foreign health insurance. If so can u give me details.
By the way I love French Polynesia and don't mind the expense it's no different then NYC prices as a matter of fact it's cheaper for a beer here then in Harlem.

[NorthPacific]

Check very carefully. Your boat can stay, but you can not unless your visa clearly states so. For us it has been very frustrating, It is impossible to "talk" to anyone. On one of the other sites "puddle jumpers" some concern over the very strict rules and penalties being levied against people who overstay their visa.

So sorry only help I can give is a warning.

[Teknav]

I have been to French Polynesia several times. When you land at FAAA airport, in Papeete <Pah-Pyeh-teh>, you will be checked for your return ticket; a must have, along with your Visa. Customs are not very strict on requirements, if you are fluent in French or in Tahitian; but you will still need a Visa (from your hometown/country's French Embassy/Consulate) for your stay. (A round trip airline ticket from central US to/from Tahiti costs about $2,000 USD.)

Mauritz

[S/V Antares]

Hi all,

I have accepted a crew position in Oct. leaving PPT (Tahiti) for Panama. I am concerned that I would need a round trip ticket to enter even though I am leaving on a boat as crew....This is not unusual in other parts of the world... so... Any thoughts- Cruising permit needs? experience? Please get back to me.

[delilah]

You do need a return ticket no matter what. If they ask for one when you arrive you must show one. I have been going in and out of French Poly for years and they always ask for my return ticket. Even when I tell them I am leaving on a boat as crew. I know of another American who did not have his return ticket even though he had a letter from his captain stating he was coming as crew and would leave FP shortly. He had to purchase a ticket before they allowed him to pass security.

[DtM]

If you are travelling on an EU passport does that have an effect on the time you can stay? At face value I would have thought there would be no limit.

Any ideas?

[NorthPacific]

She got her 90 day visa, good for a year, which is nice! took a lot of effort. Only business class tickets are fully refundable. One way from Tahiti to Bangkok is $9000!!! All the cheap seats had a penalty that started at $1700.

Still logic stealth and a cost of $900 got her her $12 visa! She said they where very nice and accommodating. They sent her passport a few days later with the fancy visa page attached. She has a complicated Thai Last name, which they unfortunately added an extra n!! O well we tried, we will see what happens next.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by DtM

If you are travelling on an EU passport does that have an effect on the time you can stay? At face value I would have thought there would be no limit.

Any ideas?

Should be no limit... for you... however... dunno if you will also have to follow the general 'get your boat outa the Hurricane zone'..

[Teknav]

Hurricanes in la Polynesie Francaise? Ummm...in French, it is called TYPHON <TEE-FON>.

Mauritz

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Hurricanes in la Polynesie Francaise? Ummm...in French, it is called TYPHON <TEE-FON>.

Mauritz

I think that's Chinese actually... but lets not split hairs... the effect is the same..

[JPA Cate]

In French, they say "cyclone". It sounds a bit different to our ears because of the pronunciation. But if you hear a "Securite"[U][U] followed by "cyclone" on your VHF, ask for a translation in English. They are terrifically obliging to translate for us who do not speak their language fluently.

Ann

P.S. Hey, Boatie, what's with the go-rilla?

[Livia]

Originally Posted by delilah

If anyone could answer this question i would appreciate it. Once I receive a long term visa for French Polynesia do I still need a return ticket back to USA still.

Hi Deliliah, We arrived into French Polynesia with our long term visa (by plane) to return to our boat which was in country on the hard. We were asked to show our return ticket (which we did not have) and told that we would have to post a bond because we didn't have one. We were told we could go to the gendarmerie downtown to do so. Cheers, Livia