Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• French Polynesia is a French Overseas Territory. There is currently no British diplomatic or consular representation. In the event of an emergency, please contact the British Embassy in Paris for assistance.
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
• Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and you should take normal common-sense precautions.  See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
• Many hundreds of British tourists visit French Polynesia each year. Most visits are trouble-free. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in French Polynesia in 2009.
  
• Tropical storms including cyclones can occur between the months of November and April. See Natural Disasters.
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to French Polynesia. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
See our Victims of Crime page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
French Polynesia is an Overseas Collective (Collectivité d'Outre-Mer) of France. If your passport describes you as a British Citizen you will not need a visa to enter French Polynesia. Other British passport holders should check the current entry requirements here and if necessary confirm with the nearest French Diplomatic mission. 
 

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
All British passport holders require a valid passport.  There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.  Please note that as there is no British Diplomatic or Consular representation in French Polynesia, all applications to replace lost, stolen or expired passports must be made direct to the British Embassy in Paris.  Contact details appear in the General Section of this advice.

Entry Requirements - Working
British nationals who wish to work in French Polynesia should make enquiries, prior to departure, at the nearest French Consulate.
 

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not provide any health cover in French Polynesia.

As French Polynesia is not one of the Overseas Departments which are seen as part of mainland France, for the purposes of the EU regulations governing access to healthcare, there is no cover for the cost of healthcare for any UK resident who goes to French Polynesia for a visit or to live.

Information can be obtained direct from the English language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (French social security service) on 00 33 8 20 90 42 12 or CLEISS (the Helpdesk in France for international mobility and social security) on 00 33 1 45 26 33 4.

Dengue fever is common on French Polynesia.

Diving is a popular pastime in the Territory but you should be aware that the only decompression facility is located in Papeete and that in the event of an accident it might take some time to reach from some of the popular diving sites located on other islands.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to French Polynesia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. 

See our Travel Health page.

Natural Disasters - Earthquakes
French Polynesia is located in an active earthquake area.

Natural Disasters - Tropical Storms
Tropical storms including cyclones can occur between the months of November and April.  You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation. You can also access information on the U.S. National Hurricane Centre website. See our Tropical Cyclones page.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to French Polynesia. Check any for exclusions and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Consular assistance
There is currently no resident British Diplomatic or Consular Mission in French Polynesia. In case of emergency, please contact the British Embassy Paris. See the Contact Details of this Travel Advice. 

General - Consular Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Money
If you intend to use a credit card during your stay, you should be aware that only Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners and JCP (Japan) are widely accepted in French Polynesia. Holders of other cards may encounter difficulties in obtaining cash and paying for goods.