#86874 - 09/14/10 02:45 PM
Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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trip1
Member
Registered: 08/05/07
Posts: 94
Loc: Alexandria, VA, 22304
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At the end of August, I wrote to the French Consulate in Washington DC since they have different information than the information kindly given to us by BarbiJKM. They stated in their WEB page that an American citizen does not need visa if traveling less than 30 days.
We are traveling for a little over 30 days.
I went to the Air Tahiti Nui WEB page and under Destination Tahiti I found the following:
" For U.S. and Canadian Citizens:
A passport is required that is valid for three months beyond the date of departure from French Polynesia. No visa is required for stays of up to one month. A foreigner with a residence card for the U.S. is not exempt from the above requirements and should consult the French Consulate for information. American citizens may also be required to carry short-stay visas in the following cases: holders of diplomatic and official passports on assignment, students enrolled in courses in French Polynesia, journalists on assignment, crew members, as well as those who will have paid activities in French Polynesia (including scientists and artists)."
In the WEB page of Tahiti Tourism I found the following:
"Visas & Entry
Every visitor to French Polynesia must have:
1. A valid passport.
2. A return airline ticket to their resident country or to at least two more continuing destinations.
3. Sufficient funds to cover their planned stay.
For stays of up to 90 days, there are no visa requirements for citizens of the U.S. or Canada. A foreigner with a residence card for the U.S. is not exempt from the above requirements and should consult the French Consulate based in the U.S. for information.
.....
Contact one of the French Consulates in North America for further details and visa information."
We fly next week. We will follow the information given by BarbiJKM, that is the information found in the Los Angeles French Consulate:
“if you are a U.S citizen or hold a passport issued by a country NOT listed above, you do not need any visa to enter a French Overseas Territories as a tourist for a short stay less than 90 days”
To find the correct information regarding the need or not of a visa, should not be so difficult!!!!
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#86876 - 09/14/10 05:54 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: trip1]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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It is very frustrating to keep finding outdated information on some consulate webpages, especially when they ignore emails and make it impossible to reach them by phone! This is causing some folks to fill out unneccesary applications and make in-person appointments (often involving costly travel from another state) to apply for a visa that they do not need!
If you want to be super-careful, you can find the text of the new law at this link: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000021487777 (On the chart, the United States, in French, is listed as "Etats-Unis.")
There is also a longer version of it here: http://www.immigration.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/BOIM301209.pdf
I printed it out and carried it with me on my last two-month trip (with NO visa in my passport) "just-in-case," but had absolutely NO problem with Tahitian immigration on arrival or departure. We just returned from a trip to FP from 1 July to 2 September, with no difficulties (and NO VISA!).
Below is the email I sent to the LA French Consulate, and the reply I received last May:
"Bonjour,
I confirm that a US citizen staying in Tahiti for tourism for less than 90 days no longer needs a visa.
However, if you are doing research, for instance, or if you are going to work there, you still need a visa.
Our website is now up to date and the information you will find is correct.
Regards,
EM. [eric.martinet@diplomatie.gouv.fr]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:
To: accueil.visas@consulfrance-losangeles.org
Sent: Wed, 05 May 2010 19:28:20 -0700
Subject: Fwd: Short Stay Visa Needed for Americans going to Tahiti for Less Than 90 Da...
Bonjour,
Today I previously sent you the email below, asking if Americans any longer need a short-stay visa for a visit to French Polynesia for less than 90 days. Now I have found what a believe to be the new law: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000021487777
Can you please tell me if this law no longer requires a short-stay visa to French Polynesia for a stay of less than 3 months? And if so, can you please update the information on your webpage at this location: http://www.consulfrance-losangeles.org/spip.php?article797 I think the current information on your webpage is in contradiction with the new law.
Thank you! "
____________________
The day after I received the above reply, the webpage was changed, and now says this:
"Do I need a visa to travel to French overseas territories ?
... NO, if you are a U.S citizen or hold a passport issued by a country NOT listed above, you do not need any visa to enter a French Overseas Territories as a tourist for a short stay less than 90 days. "
Additionally, the U.S. Consular Agent in French Polynesia, sent me this information by email in early May:
"Barbara,
It is indeed a question to be answered by French authorities.
However, informally, I can confirm the following:
- There is no need for any visa for all stays <90 days as per Jan 1 2010.
- You may stay a total of 90 days for every 6 months
You may contact the French immigration for such information: pafbmr@mail.pf
I hope this mail is still valid.
Sincerely,
Christopher Kozely
Consular Agent"
------------------------------------------
Don't worry! You don't need a visa for 30+ days in FP; have a bon voyage!
Edited by BarbiJKM (09/14/10 06:23 PM)
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#86879 - 09/14/10 06:29 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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Also, below is current information from "Discover France" at http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/DF_consulates.shtml
It also contains a list of all French Consulates in the USA with websites. You can compare what they each say about visa requirements for Americans going to French Polynesia:
............
" A passport is required for entry to France (including overseas possessions) and Monaco. According to your citizenship, the duration and purpose of your stay, a visa may be required before departure. Citizens of all nationalities holding ordinary passports may consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' document "Do you need a visa?" to learn the specific requirements for their country of residence.
Holders of diplomatic or official passports, or any other travel document, are kindly requested to contact French diplomatic or consular representatives to obtain relevant information.
Citizens of Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, certain Latin American countries, plus 24 states in the Schengen Area, are not required to obtain a visa for tourist/business stays of up to 90 days in mainland France, Andorra, Corsica, Monaco, the Overseas Departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion), and the Overseas Territories (French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Mayotte, New Caledonia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna).
Long-stay visas are waived for citizens of member states in the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA), Andorra, Monaco, and Switzerland. Residents of all other countries will need to obtain a visa for visits exceeding 90 days in any 6-month period.
For further information on entry requirements to France, travelers may contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007, tel. (202) 944-6000, or the French Consulate General in your service area (see U.S., Canada, European & International directory below). For further information on entry requirements to Monaco, travelers may contact the Consulate General of Monaco at 565 Fifth Avenue - 23rd floor, New York, N.Y. 10017, tel. (212) 759-5227.
Atlanta
Service area: Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee.
Location: Prominence in Buckhead, Suite 1840, 3475 Piedmont Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30305, USA
Phone: (404) 495-1660 ; Fax: (404) 495-1661
Telex: 154 087 FSLT ATL
http://www.consulatfranceatlanta.org/
Boston
Service area: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.
Location: Park Square Building, Suite 750
31 Saint James Avenue
Boston, MA 02116, USA
Phone: (617) 542-7374 ; Fax: (617) 542-8054 ; Telex: 940 985
http://www.franceboston.org/
Chicago
Service area: North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin.
Location: Olympia Center, 737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2020
Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
Phone: (312) 787-5359 /60 /61 and 787-5385
Fax: (312) 664-4196 ; Telex: 190 229 FRANSULAT CGO
http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org/
Honolulu
Service area: Hawaii and the Pacific Islands under U.S. jurisdiction.
Location: Alii Place, Suite 1800
1099 Alakea Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA
Phone: (808) 547-5852 ; Fax: (808) 547-5880 ; Telex: 723-8129
Houston
Service area: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas.
Location: 777 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600
Houston, TX 77056, USA
Phone: (713) 572-2799 and 572-0654
Fax: (713) 572-2904 ; Telex: 825 078 FRANSULAT HOU
http://www.consulfrance-houston.org/
Los Angeles
Service area: Arizona, California (Mono, Inyo, Kings, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Sanata Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties), Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada (Clark, Lincoln, Nye, Esmeralda and Mineral Counties).
Location: 10390 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 410
Los Angeles, CA 90025, USA
Phone: (310) 235-3200 ; Fax: (310) 479-4813
Telex: 188 466 FRANSULAT LA
http://www.consulfrance-losangeles.org/
Miami
Service area: Florida, Bahamas, U.S. Virgin� Islands, Turks and Ca�cos Islands, Cayman Islands.
Location: Biscayne Tower, 2 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 1710
Miami, FL 33131, USA
Phone: (305) 372-9798 /99 ; Fax: (305) 372-9549
Telex: 153 632 COMA MIA
http://www.consulfrance-miami.org/
New Orleans
Service area: Louisiana.
Location: Amoco Building 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 1710
New Orleans, �LA 70112, USA
Phone: (504) 523-5772 ; Fax: (504) 523-5725 ; Telex: 161 850 FFSLT
http://www.consulfrance-nouvelleorleans.org/
New York
Service area: Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Bermuda.
Location: 934 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Visa section: 10 East 74th Street, New York , NY 10021, USA
Phone: (212) 606-3644 ; Recorded information: (212) 606-3688
Fax: (212) 606-3670 ; Telex: 824 158 FSLT NYK
http://www.consulfrance-newyork.org/
San Francisco
Service area: Alaska, California (except for Mono, Inyo, Kings, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Sanata Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside, Imperial and San Diego Counties), Idaho, Montana, Nevada (except for Clark, Lincoln, Nye, Esmeralda and Mineral Counties), Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Location: 540 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94108, USA
Phone: (415) 397-4330 ; Fax: (415) 433-8357
Visas only: (415) 616-4910 ; Fax: 397-7843
Telex: 184 284 FRANSULAT SFO
http://www.accueil-sfo.org/
San Juan, P.R.
Service area: Puerto Rico & Vieques, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks & Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Caicos Islands, Montserrat.
Location: Mercantil Plaza, Suite 720, Ponce de Leon Avenue
Stop 27-1/2, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
Phone: (809) 753-1700 /01 ; Telex: 162 117 FSLT
Washington, D.C.
Service area: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Pensylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.
Offices are open to the public from 8:45am to 12:45pm on weekdays.
Location: 4101 Reservoir Road N.W.
Washington, DC 20007, USA
Phone: Embassy — (202) 944-6000 ; Consulate — (202) 944-6200 ;
Fax: Embassy — (202) 944-6072 ; Consulate — (202) 944-6212
http://www.france-consulat.org/
CANADA
There are six French Consulates in Canada: Moncton & Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver."
......................
I hope these links help others facing the same situation as trip1!
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#86889 - 09/15/10 03:45 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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trip1
Member
Registered: 08/05/07
Posts: 94
Loc: Alexandria, VA, 22304
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BarbiJKM,
Thank you very much for the information you provided. I read the documents and it is very clear that we can visit French Polynesia without a visa for 3 months.
Thank you again, your information is always very valuable!!!
I just called Air Tahiti Nui to let them now that the information they provide in their WEB page regarding the visa requirement for USA citizens is incorrect. I gave them the Internet address of the document, plus the date (December 2009) and number of the bulletin (#12) of the French Immigration Authority (Ministère de l’immigration, de l’intégration, de l’identité nationale et du développement solidaire). I hope they will correct the USA visa information as soon as possible
Thank you again for sharing your knowledge,
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#86902 - 09/16/10 09:32 AM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: trip1]
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BarbiJKM
Supreme Advisor
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 6150
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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You are welcome, Trip1. I also sent an email to the DC consulate with the link to the French legislation. (No response, no surprise, but maybe they will correct their webpage eventually...)
Have a GREAT trip!
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#88578 - 01/25/11 01:05 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: BarbiJKM]
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MrBShah
Junior Member
Registered: 01/25/11
Posts: 16
Loc: California
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Thanks Barbi for all the info..as I plan my trip, all of your post have been very helpful.
I have one quick question (forgive me if this has been covered)as I've seen several different answers..
I understand you DONT need a VISA if you're going for less then 90 days, BUT how long does your passport need to be valid for?
We are going May 28 - June 5. Passport expires in October 2011. (i've read passport needs to be valid 3 months after departure and have also read 6 months...)
Should I be OK? Or do I need to renew?
Thank you in advance.
Edited by MrBShah (01/25/11 01:05 PM)
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#88580 - 01/25/11 01:21 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: MrBShah]
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Patti.
Expert Advisor
Registered: 03/28/04
Posts: 2460
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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I would just go ahead and renew it now, regardless if it's 6 months or 3 months. Obviously you have to renew it very soon anyway...so just do it now. The renewals are being processed VERY quickly, so that won't be an issue for you at all. I just renewed mine in Oct and had the new one back in a week.
I just printed off the renewal form off the computer, had my pics taken at the local drug store, mailed everything off with a check and a week later I had my new passport.
Here's the link for passport renewals...
http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds82/ds82_843.html
Edited by Patti. (01/25/11 01:24 PM)
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#88581 - 01/25/11 01:25 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: Patti.]
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MrBShah
Junior Member
Registered: 01/25/11
Posts: 16
Loc: California
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Thanks Patti...
Its actually my fiance's passport. We get married in April, Tahiti in May/June. (She is not changing her name until after the honeymoon.)
I dont want her to renew now, only to renew again in July to her new last name..you know what I mean?
Edited by MrBShah (01/25/11 01:54 PM)
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#88582 - 01/25/11 01:57 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: MrBShah]
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MrBShah
Junior Member
Registered: 01/25/11
Posts: 16
Loc: California
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6 months from the website...
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1119.html
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport valid for six months beyond duration of stay is required. Visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days. 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.
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#88583 - 01/25/11 02:00 PM
Re: Visa again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[Re: MrBShah]
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Old Wife
Expert Advisor
Registered: 02/21/03
Posts: 2369
Loc: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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Check your own country's website. Here's the info for Canadian's from the gov't of Canada's site (it says "France", but there are no changes in the info for FP):
For stays under 90 days: A Canadian passport is required for Canadians visiting France. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of the expected departure from this country. They must also have a return ticket or a ticket for a connecting flight. Canadians do not require a visa.
Edited to add--I'm sorry I don't know the equivalent US site.
Edited by Old Wife (01/25/11 02:01 PM)
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