Visas for French Polynesia

[resistor]

Originally Posted by chouliha

You can only apply for a LS visa from outside French Polynesia unless your spouse is a EU citizen. If that is the case then you can apply when you arrive if you have a valid original marriage certificate.

Do you know any first-hand accounts of this working? My wife is a US+EU dual citizen while I am only a US citizen. I would love not to have to go through the ordeal of applying for LS outside of FP, but it also seems risky to wait until we arrive...

[chouliha]

Yes I have personally spoken to at least 3 couples that applied once they arrived in FP. Bring your original marriage license with you. Unless something has recently changed you should be good.

[iGrf]

Probably a stupid question but what about people from the EU ?
Do Europeans need a visa as well or does it count as French/EU territory and can we just arrive, stay and potentially work there ?


Thanks,
Greg

[AlfaGTV]

Originally Posted by iGrf

Probably a stupid question but what about people from the EU ?
Do Europeans need a visa as well or does it count as French/EU territory and can we just arrive, stay and potentially work there ?


Thanks,
Greg

EU Citizens are permitted to stay in FP up to 18 months. To work in FP you need a work permit.

[chouliha]

Originally Posted by iGrf

Probably a stupid question but what about people from the EU ?
Do Europeans need a visa as well or does it count as French/EU territory and can we just arrive, stay and potentially work there ?


Thanks,
Greg

Hi Greg

I am on a EU passport and have been in FP almost 5 years. We have never had any issues. Nor have any of our EU friends who have been here for decades.

Fly in from aboard they don’t stamp my passport.

Cheers

Chuck

[chouliha]

Originally Posted by HBrew

.Tahiti Crew told me that the long stay visas are reviewed once a month.

It’s true that you do not have to go to Nuku Hiva, but you must either go in person to a high commission when you apply for or pickup your CDS. As we did not want to go to Tahiti to pickup the CDS, for us, the only practical option was to apply in person at the high commission in Nuku Hiva.

Thanks Hamish for the heads up on cds processing. I checked with the hc office in Papeete and it’s all based on the availability of the head guy to sign off on the paperwork. Sometimes every couple of weeks or sooner if he is available - sometimes a bit longer.

Cheers

Chuck
Jacaranda

[barnakiel]

We sailed a EU flagged boat and were not limited to 3 months.


Our Canadians friends, however, were refused an extension.


If you do need long stay visa, do get one beforehand or as early as viable. I noticed Customs and Immigration like to get plenty of time to think and process your case.


b.