FAQs on Entry & Temporary Residence

Created by doina. Last modified on 2002-09-13 21:12:55
Contributors: Luc Callebaut, Noonsite Regional Editor, French Polynesia.
Countries: French Polynesia

I am British and expect to be accompanied by an Australian girlfriend.

As a national of the EU, no bond is needed, no visa needed to enter, during your first 2 months in you have to write to the DRCL High commissioner in Papeete to request a "carte de sejour" (temporary resident card) for 1 year (can be renewed later for another year then 10 yrs) Your girlfriend, as a non-EU citizen must post a bond in the Marquesas (or Papeete if you get there in 30 days) paid in $ or Euros in cash or TC at the bank (value of about one plane ticket back to Australia - value decided yearly by the local authorities), can get in without a visa for 1 month OR you can get a 3-month (non-renewable!!!) tourist visa via the French Consulate before coming OR ask via a French Consulate in Trinidad or Panama by ex. for a temporary resident card for any length of time (fill the appropriate forms and justify why)

If permitted and practicable I would like to consider the possibility of spending all season in French Polynesia with the idea of leaving the boat on the hard somewhere during the 2003/4 cyclone season. If this happened would expect to visit Europe or Australia by plane for most of boat storage period returning in time to sail west at the start of the 2004 season - say in April/May.

Your boat can stay duty-free for 12 months in any 24 month period! Time on the hard or in a marina with prior arrangement with customs are exempt from those 12 months (if you are out of the country during that time). After that you have to pay the import duty on your boat (15-25% of estimated value) and then the boat can stay forever (not necessarily you!). When your girlfriend flies out, she can get another regular non-renewable visa when she comes back (that is if she didn't get a temporary resident card)

Enjoy French Polynesia when you come ... it's a great place!

Luc Callebaut