Medical Insurance Requirements for LS Visa for French Polynesia

[On the rode]

Does anyone know whether there is a limitation on the deductible amount for medical insurance to qualify for a long stay visa for French Polynesia or where I could find the answer? I've been on the application site and can't quite seem to find the answer.

Thank you.

[chouliha]

Depends where you apply from. My wife has been using DAN for the past 5 years with no issue. To the best of my knowledge there is no question on deductible. All applications go to the haute commisionaires office in Papeete. But with that said applying in the US the restrictions are a bit tougher as they are preprocessed in Washington DC before forwarding them to Tahiti. The French consulate will not allow DAN to be used.

Where are you applying from?

I have put together a document on how to apply for a FP LS visa located
https://www.jacarandajourney.com/other-good-stuff

Happy to answer any questions

Chuck
Jacaranda
Mo’orea

[On the rode]

Thank you. That is very helpful.

[chouliha]

So where will you be applying for a LS visa?

[On the rode]

Panama. Wife and I will be in Panama after February 1. I will be leaving around end of March for FP, but wife will fly home then and fly to FP from the States when I get to FP, so to apply within 3 months of arrival in FP we will apply in Panama towards end of February.

[chouliha]

Panama is the easiest and quickest to apply from. Also DAN will be accepted there.

You will be required to post a bond if arriving in the Marquesas.

You can email me via our website if additional questions come up

Good luck

Chuck
Jacaranda

[On the rode]

Thank you very much. We have joined the Pacific Puddle Jump and understand that if we use the Agent they recommend in the Marquesas that the bond requirement can be waived. In any event, if we have to post a bond we will. We will also heed your warning about my wife coming in under her LS Visa.

[chouliha]

Yes Tehani and Tahiti Crew will arrange the bond and duty free fuel certificate. Be sure to sign up with her BEFORE you depart. Also suggest you are very clear with her that you wife is flying in and you are sailing in but both under LS visa's

[On the rode]

Thanks again, but we are going to make landfall first in the Marquesas. Either Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa, so I'm figuring to use the agents suggested by Pacific Puddle Jump who are stationed there. Am I incorrect in that?

Also, maybe a silly question, but I just looked at a large scale chart of the Eastern Pacific which shows the Pacific Equatorial current flowing somewhat North of the northern northern edge of the Marquesas, and the northern edge of the Pacific Equatorial Countercurrent flowing in the vicinity of the northernmost of the Marquesas. Notwithstanding that the authors of Charlie's Charts for Polynesia say "(F)rom a sailing standpoint Fatu Hiva is the first logical stop in the Marquesas", although it is in the southern part of the Marquesas. Do you have any idea why they would say that since the favorable current suggests Nuku Hiva. Is that because the prevailing winds are stronger the further South of the Equator you that you get and "trump" any adverse current effect?

Thanks.

[chouliha]

Fatu Hiva is not a port of entry. Many people stop there first but I can not advise it. Reason people stop there is then the rest of the Marquesas is off the wind sailing. It only a day sail from Hiva Oa (close hauled) but you will then be legal

We ran the current program "Oscar" to obtain up to date current stats on the way across from Galapagos. For many days we had current flowing in our direction and was able to use it to our benefit. But boats that left behind us or ahead of us had totally different conditions.

May I suggest you read our entire document on the LS Visa not just Panama. It discusses checking in and the various agents. Plus will give additional information on submitting the cds and pickup suggestions. Tahiti crew will be your agent and if you need additional services she can refer you to either the agent in Hiva Oa or Nuku Hiva. But you shouldnt need a local agent as check in is very easy and Tehani will email you the paperwork

[On the rode]

Thank you. I understand about the need to first check in at an authorized check-in port and have read the materials on your website about obtaining a LS Visa. I appreciate all the information that you have provided.

[chouliha]

Wishing you a safe trip
Kind regards
Chuck