No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of French Polynesia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nFrench Polynesia is an Overseas Collectivity of France (‘Collectivité d’Outre-Mer’). The authorities in French Polynesia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the French Consulate General in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave French Polynesia.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit French Polynesia without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business. To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, check the visa application process and timelines on the French visa website.
\n\nIf you want to work in French Polynesia, get permission from the French Consulate General before you travel there.
\n\nCarry your residence document, as well as your passport, when entering or exiting French Polynesia. If you have applied but not yet received your document, carry your certificate of application. You will have received this as an email.
\n\nYou must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s French Polynesia guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of French Polynesia (in French). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nCheck what cash and valuables you need to declare to bring them into French Polynesia.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in French Polynesia, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nAvoid isolated areas, including beaches, after dark.
\n\nDo not carry large amounts of cash or wear expensive-looking jewellery or watches on the street. Put valuables and travel documents in a safety deposit box or hotel safe.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nDiving schools may have limited resources and do not always observe safety and maintenance standards. Always:
\n\nIf you have not had any previous diving experience, check what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in French Polynesia, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou’ll need to carry both the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence when driving. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nTropical storms including cyclones can happen from November to April. Monitor local news and check World Meteorological Organization weather reports for French Polynesia.
\n\nEarthquakes are a risk in French Polynesia. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 15 (or 4048 5906 from a landline) and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in French Polynesia, including:
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nGeneral healthcare facilities in French Polynesia are good for uncomplicated treatment, but more serious cases may need evacuation to a larger healthcare facility. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nIf you plan to live in French Polynesia, consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system.
\n\nDWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline: +44 (0)191 218 1999
\n\nYou can also get English-language information about French social security services online or on +33 (0)820 90 42 12. You can get French-language information online about state services in French Polynesia.
\n\nThe European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) do not provide health cover for you if you go to French Polynesia to visit or to live.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 15 (or 4048 5906 from a landline)
\n\nFire: 18
\n\nPolice: 17
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
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