Fiji- fly in sail out. Issues, tips please.

[Mull]

Hi everyone
Would appreciate all/any tips please- issues in flying (oneway) into Fiji and sailing out/back to Australia as crew on a yacht. Will Fiji immigration or airline demand any documentation, cause any grief etc. anyone with previous experience in Fiji immigration with oneway ticket issue? Ta

[Hud3]

Hi, Mull. Welcome to CF.

If you don't get any advice specific to Fiji, here's another thread on the same topic, different islands. http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post605151

Normally, for most countries, a letter from the skipper will suffice, but Fiji may have different ideas. I've never been there, so can't really say.

[Mull]

Thanks heaps... great! What a quick response. Letter prepared from thread now to get the skipper, who is currently sailing to Fiji to authorize... mmmm!

[Nicholson58]

check on Noonsite for FIJI. Site is a great source for minutia.

[Kiwikat]

We had 2 crew fly up to Fiji to join us for our sail back to NZ last year en route from Tahiti. It was all very strict. We (captain) had to supply letter of intent for the crew to submit. The crew (joining us) had to apply to the Fijian Consulate (in NZ - your case OZ) for permission (but had to purchase air tickets beforehand). We had to arrive with the boat into Fiji and clear customs/immigtation , with customs/immigtation then confirming to Fiji consulate in NZ, before final permission (paperwork) was granted for them to fly in on a one way ticket and join us.

A lot of airlines (to the islands) these days will not let you board the aircraft to your destination unless you have a return ticket or the correct paperwork exempting you.

Your skipper must also advise Fijian immigration (when he enters Fiji or well in advance preferably) that you will be joining the boat for departure.

We did cut it fine and anchored at Suva a little after 9am on a Friday (weekends are a no-no). The authorities arrived at our boat to clear us, a little after midday. Our crew waiting in NZ had a good rapport going with the consulate by then and found them to be very helpful. Suffice to say, they got the ok late Friday afternoon and were able to fly into Fiji on their one way tickets the following day.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Lisa

[Kiwikat]

P.S. I was assuming you are Australian??

[Mull]

Originally Posted by Kiwikat

We had 2 crew fly up to Fiji to join us for our sail back to NZ last year en route from Tahiti. It was all very strict. We (captain) had to supply letter of intent for the crew to submit. The crew (joining us) had to apply to the Fijian Consulate (in NZ - your case OZ) for permission (but had to purchase air tickets beforehand). We had to arrive with the boat into Fiji and clear customs/immigtation , with customs/immigtation then confirming to Fiji consulate in NZ, before final permission (paperwork) was granted for them to fly in on a one way ticket and join us.

A lot of airlines (to the islands) these days will not let you board the aircraft to your destination unless you have a return ticket or the correct paperwork exempting you.

Your skipper must also advise Fijian immigration (when he enters Fiji or well in advance preferably) that you will be joining the boat for departure.

We did cut it fine and anchored at Suva a little after 9am on a Friday (weekends are a no-no). The authorities arrived at our boat to clear us, a little after midday. Our crew waiting in NZ had a good rapport going with the consulate by then and found them to be very helpful. Suffice to say, they got the ok late Friday afternoon and were able to fly into Fiji on their one way tickets the following day.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Lisa

Thanks HEAPS

[Mr B]

The captain has to put you on the ships documentation as crew, This all has to happen before you leave Oz,

One way flight has to have the boats rotation number on it, and date of departure on boat, Other wise you dont fly.

I entered Fiji Sept And left in Oct, 2011.

It all goes through Immigration and Customs,

Get some one in the Marina to help you organise it, Fijian,

[Mull]

Originally Posted by Mr B

The captain has to put you on the ships documentation as crew, This all has to happen before you leave Oz,

One way flight has to have the boats rotation number on it, and date of departure on boat, Other wise you dont fly.

I entered Fiji Sept And left in Oct, 2011.

It all goes through Immigration and Customs,

Get some one in the Marina to help you organise it, Fijian,

Thanks, have developed a template from ALL the advice. Filled the template with our info. and emailed the skipper of our boat. Thanks foe the advice.

[Hud3]

I have to say that Fiji has the most detailed requirements I've ever heard of. Most countries are happy with nothing more than a simple letter from the skipper.

It's lucky you got such good, timely and specific advice before you headed off for Fiji, Mull. You would have had a big shock on arrival, I'm sure.

Great bunch of sailors here on CF!

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
It's great that you found the answers.
kind regards,