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French Polynesia
Country Specific Information
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September 18, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
French Polynesia is a French overseas territory located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups
of islands, the largest and most populated of which is Tahiti. Tourist facilities are well developed and are available on
the major islands. For more information visit Tahiti’s web site.
REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in French Polynesia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport valid for six months beyond duration of stay is required. Visas are not required for stays of up to one month. Extensions for up to three months may be granted locally by applying to the border police at the airport or to the Haut Commissionaire (The French High Commissioner). The application for an extension must be presented with a fiscal stamp, which can be purchased in a post office. For further information about entry requirements, travelers, particularly those planning to enter by sea, may contact the French Embassy at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, telephone 202-944-6200, fax 202-944-6212, or visit the Embassy of France's web site. Additional information is available at GIE Tourisme, Fare Manihini, Boulevard Pomare, B. P. 65, Papeete, French Polynesia, Telephone: (689) 50-57-00, Fax: (689) 43-66-19.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' website, which contains current the Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Although French Polynesia has one of the lowest crime rates within France and its territories, petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching, is occurring more frequently. Visitors should secure valuables at all times. Common sense precautions should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see end of this sheet or see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: French customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from French Polynesia of some items. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C., or one of the French consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. The web site for French customs is http://www.finances.gouv.fr/. Goods arriving on pleasure yachts must be declared at the first point of arrival in French Polynesia. Arms, animals, alcohol, cigarettes, cameras, etc., must be included in this declaration.
Please see our Customs Information.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. If detained, U.S. citizens are encouraged to request that the U.S. Consular Agent in French Polynesia be notified.
The cyclone season is November through April. French Polynesia is located in an area of high seismic activity. Although the probability of a major earthquake occurring during an individual trip is remote, earthquakes do occur. General information regarding disaster preparedness is available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site, and from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) home page at http://www.fema.gov/.
Some visitors to French Polynesia have reported problems using ATMs with certain kinds of credit and debit cards. Visitors should verify that their cards can be used in French Polynesia.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical treatment is generally good on the major islands but is limited in more remote or less populated areas. Patients with emergencies or serious illnesses are often referred to facilities on Tahiti for treatment. In Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, two major hospitals and several private clinics provide 24 hour medical service. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Although some doctors and hospitals are beginning to accept credit card and U.S. insurance payments, others still expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning French Polynesia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
While most major roads are paved, many secondary roads are not. In urban areas, traffic is brisk, and all types of vehicles and pedestrians jockey for space on narrow streets. Crosswalks are marked, and the law requires that motor vehicles stop for pedestrians; however, this is not always done. Tourists should exercise caution when driving, particularly at night. While extensive sections of the road circumnavigating Tahiti have streetlights, many streets do not. Pedestrians walk along the sides of darkened roadways and sometimes cross in unmarked areas. Bicycles and mopeds are frequently driven without headlights and taillights. Tourists who rent bicycles or mopeds should be particularly attentive to their driving and the driving of others and not underestimate the danger, even on roads with little traffic.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Civil aviation operations in French Polynesia fall under the jurisdiction of French authorities. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of France’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of France’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
EMBASSY LOCATION: Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in French Polynesia. However, there is a U.S. Consular Agent in French Polynesia who can provide assistance. To contact the U.S. Consular Agent, call (689) 42 65 35 or fax (689) 50 80 96. The U.S. Consular Agency is located at Centre Tamanu Iti, 1er etage, Punaauia, B.P. 10765, 98711 Paea, Polynesie Francaise. The U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji, which oversees the U.S.Consular Agent in French Polynesia, can also provide assistance for U.S. citizens. It is located in the capital city of Suva at 31 Loftus Street, P.O. Box 218, telephone 679-331-4-466, fax 679-3302-267. Information may also be obtained by visiting the Embassy’s home page.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for French Polynesia dated August 13, 2008, to update section of Aviation Safety Oversight.
