Coronavirus COVID-19 - Travel Information

Papeete, October 21st, 2021

Entry and stay conditions

Important: registration on www.etis.pf must be filed within 30 days prior to departure.

Vaccinated travelers are not required to quarantine. Children under the age of 18 can travel freely with a vaccinated parent or legal guardian.

For unvaccinated travelers and travelers who have not been in one of the approved countries* for a minimum of 15 days prior to departure, a boarding authorization must also be granted from the High Commissioner. Compelling reason for travel still applicable: Health, Family, Work. Tourism is not a compelling reason for travel.

* France and French territories, United Kingdom, United States or countries listed as “green“. 

Requirements for Vaccinated Travelers:

  1. The registration receipt from the ETIS* platform (please complete this application 30-6 days prior to departure)
  2. A negative laboratory RT-PCR test performed less than 72h before departure or an antigen test (allowing the detection of the “N” protein of the SARS-CoV-2) performed less than 48h prior to departure.
  3. It is recommended to also bring the proof of vaccination document, if vaccinated
  4. Children under 18 traveling with a vaccinated parent or legal guardian must take an additional test (provided on arrival) to be done at day 4 and day 8 which are to be deposited at their hotel or in a dedicated health center

Other Travelers:
For unvaccinated travelers and travelers who have not been in one of the approved countries* for a minimum of 15 days prior to departure:

  • The registration receipt from the ETIS* platform (please complete this application 30-6 days prior to departure).
  • An authorization to travel into French Polynesia issued by the High-Commissioner from the “Administrative Application” (to be found on the ETIS platform).
  • A compelling reason for travel: Health, Work, or Family
  • A negative laboratory RT-PCR test performed less than 72h before departure or an antigen test (allowing the detection of the “N” protein of the SARS-CoV-2) performed less than 48h prior to departure.

Please note that Antibody, Self-Testing, Home Testing or Rapid Tests of any kind (other than the accepted Antigen Test that allows for the detection of the “N” protein), including rapid RT-PCR tests such as the Abbott ID NOW are not accepted by the Health Authorities of French Polynesia and aircraft boarding will be denied.

Requirements for Children (Under 18):

  • Children traveling with a parent or legal guardian who is vaccinated: The child must take 2 self-tests (distributed upon arrival) to be done at day 4 and day 8 which are to be deposited at their hotel or in a dedicated health center
  • Children traveling with a parent or legal guardian who is unvaccinated: The child will be subject to a compulsory 10-day quarantine along with parent or legal guardian in TAHITI ONLY with a requirement to take a RT-PCR Self-test (distributed upon arrival) at day 4 and day 8.

Click on the visuals below to see the entire protocol. Please note that it may change in the coming weeks.

More information:

Health Surveillance Fee

From July 20, 2021, upon obtaining the Etis receipt, travelers is required to pay a flat fee to cover costs associated with Covid 19 health measures.

This fee covers the processing of administrative and sanitary requests, Etis procedures, arrival tests and tracing of passengers disembarking in French Polynesia.

The amount of the fee will be tiered according to the type of traveler:

  • Vaccinated traveler 5 000 xpf
    • Vaccinated person age 12 and over
  • Unvaccinated travelers 12 000 xpf
    • Unvaccinated travelers age 12 and over
      Specifics : Minors between 6 and 11 years old (include):

      • 5000 XPF if they are traveling with a fully vaccinated adult or legal guardian
      • 12 000 XPF if they are traveling with an unvaccinated adult or legal guardian
  • Exemption
    • People under 6 years old
    • Student residing in French Polynesia – with supporting documents
    • Person returning from medical evacuation – with supporting documents
    • Accompanying person returning from a medical evacuation – with supporting documents
    • Flight attendants and health professionals, residing in French Polynesia, travelling for their professional activity with a stopover outside of Tahiti less than or equal to 7 days

Antigenic tests at departure from Tahiti to the United States

Here are the opening hours of the test center at the Faa’a international airport :

  • Monday to Thursday – 7:30AM to 8:00PM
  • Friday – 7:30AM to 3:00PM
  • Saturday – 7:30AM to 12:00PM and then from 3:00PM to 8:00PM
  • Closed on Sunday

In order to expediate your boarding process for your return flight to the United States, you may also pre-register for your antigen test and avoid a potential wait prior to departure. At least two days before return to the United States, you can contact [email protected], with your last name, first name, date of birth and your file number obtained upon your arrival in French Polynesia (found on the label affixed to the back of your passport).

Full details can be found here

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
– Entry contitions –

Conditions of movements within The Islands of Tahiti during lockdown

As part of the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in French Polynesia, the High Commissioner and the President of French Polynesia announced the new measures in place to gradually lift restrictions applicable as of  Saturday October 16th:

  • The Islands of Tahiti’s borders are still open and commercial flights will continue to operate. As such tourists are welcome to travel to our islands as long as they comply with the existing entry protocol and the new measures in place in some areas of the territory. For the moment the flight programmes of international and domestic airlines remain unchanged.
  • Regarding the new measures of movements and activities applicable as of  Saturday October 16th :
    • The curfew is still in place, it will start one hour later from 10 pm to 4 am daily in French Polynesia. The travel authorisation for the curfew is available on the High Commission’s website.
  • Regarding domestic travel from Tahiti or Moorea to other islands:
    • As a reminder,  international visitors aged 12 or over who are fully vaccinated can travel from Tahiti or Moorea to other islands, as long as they can provide a proof of vaccination to the carrier.
    • Unvaccinated minors aged 12 or over traveling with a vaccinated adult : They will be required to provide a negative test result – antigen or auto test result performed under the supervision of a health professional within 48 hours of departure or RT-PCR test performed within 72 hours of departure. This test can be performed at the Tahiti airport, at the ILM open from 3 pm to 8 pm at the cost of 1 500 XPF. This test can also be performed in a pharmacy (costs vary).
    • Visitors traveling between two islands of French Polynesia and who are transiting through Tahiti or Moorea without leaving the airport are not affected by these measures.
    • International visitors under 12 years old travelling with a vaccinated adult can travel freely from Tahiti or Moorea to other islands  (no vaccination proof, no compelling reasons and no negative test to be provided).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
– Movements conditions within The Islands of Tahiti –

Here are the conditions to prepare your stay:

  •  Since the reopening of the borders on July 15, 2020, The Islands of Tahiti have applied a common policy of canceling and modification to allow travelers to make reservations in full confidence

    The common policy and the list of members

     

      • RT-PCR TEST OR ANTIGEN TEST

      All travelers aged of 12 years and older must provide:

      • proof of a negative RT-PCR test (any RT-PCR test listed on this FDA site is allowed) carried out less than 72h prior to their international air departure.
      • or proof of a negative antigen test allowing for the detection of the “N” protein of the SARS COV-19, carried out less than 48 hours prior to the flight to French Polynesia.

      All molecular tests proposed with the abbreviations below* are accepted:

      *RT-PCR = reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction;
      *RT = reverse transcriptase ;
      *RT-LAMP = loop-mediated isothermal amplification;
      *TMA = Transcription Mediated Amplification;
      *Isothermal amplification;
      *STAR = Selective Temperature Amplification Reaction.

      Please note that Antibody, Self-Testing, Home Testing or Rapid Tests of any kind (other than the accepted Antigen Test that allows for the detection of the “N” protein), including rapid RT-PCR tests such as the Abbott ID NOW are not accepted by the Health Authorities of French Polynesia and aircraft boarding will be denied.

      The results of this test (RT-PCR or antigen) must be negative and will need to be presented to airline staff upon check-in prior to boarding the flight to French Polynesia.

      No boarding will be allowed if the test is positive.

      • VACCINES

      Travelers are considered fully vaccinated by the French Polynesian authorities if they have completed one of the following vaccine schedules or have received two shots combined of either Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, or Astra Zeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield :

      – COVID-19Vaccine Pzifer/BioNTech 2 shots
      – COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna 2 shots
      – COVID-19 Vaccine Astra Zeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield 2 shots
      – COVID-19 Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine 1 shot

      The deadlines to be respected between full anti-COVID 19 vaccination and departure:

      • 7 days after second dose for Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Astrazeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield or combined vaccines
      • 28 days for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine

      Each adult must fill out an ETIS request online on the dedicated platform (www.etis.pf) between 30 and 6 days prior to departure mainly agreeing to:

      • Declare health status:
        • You are vaccinated: since August 10, it is no longer necessary to make a Health request. Complete your ETIS request directly.
        • You are not vaccinated: 1. Declare your compelling reason (at least 6 days before your departure) and make your Health request. 2. Complete your ETIS request.
      • Commit to respect the health protocol;
      • Have travel insurance or personally assume all expenses related to cost of care including hospitalization, confinement, or repatriation, should the visitor fall ill during their stay;
      • Provide information about the stay in French Polynesia (except for residents) : itinerary, inter-island transport, accommodation (e-mail contacts / telephone / dates of stay);
      • Pay the fixed contribution to the health surveillance fees.

      The Etis request is to be completed online on the dedicated digital platform www.etis.pf [Electronic Travel Information System].

      Once completed a receipt with an ETIS number will be issued by email;

      Travelers must also receive a boarding authorization from the High Commissioner. Document must be completed within 30 days prior to departure.

      A printout of this receipt and boarding authorization must be presented upon check-in together with the test results in order to be able to board the flight to French Polynesia and all documents will need to be presented upon arrival at Tahiti’s Faa’a international airport.

      The  printout receipt of the health engagement form is to be kept with the traveler at all times and in all places during their stay in French Polynesia.

      For more information please contact : [email protected]

      • SWORN STATEMENT

      All travelers will have to provide a Sworn Statement to submit to the rules relating to the entry on the territory. Download the Sworn Statement HERE to complete and sign. This Sworn Statement is to be presented to the transport companies as well as to the authorities in charge of border control.

      • RT-PCR SELF-TEST

      All travelers (from 6 years old) must undergo an RT-PCR self-test upon arrival, regardless of their vaccination status. A self-test kit with instructions will be given to them upon disembarking. The test can be performed  under the supervision of a health professional in a dedicated area at the airport from 5am and 10am. Outside of these opening hours, travelers must take their test on the day of their arrival and leave it at their hotel reception in Tahiti and Moorea or directly in one of the drop-off locations.

      Self-test kit will also be provided to all “other travelers” and children under 18 years old who will need to perform a self-test. This is an oral and nasal test that they must perform themself, on the 4th day and the 8 day of their arrival, on the date indicated on the envelope containing an information note as well as a self-test kit with instructions to follow. Carry out the both self-test kit to be deposited :
      – At the ILM center or at a health center;
      – at the reception desk of your accommodation.

  • For any refund request, please send an email to [email protected]  or by mail to:

    Tourism Department
    BP 4527- 98713
    Papeete TAHITI
    French Polynesia

    Warning: You must not delete your file on the ETIS platform before you have obtained your refund.

    The refund is possible if:

    • The trip is totally cancelled
    • If the trip is postponed for more than three months after the issuance of the approved ETIS receipt

    To be substantiated with the following:

    • Email of cancellation or postponement of airline tickets or email of cancellation or postponement of a stay by the travel agency
    • Paid ETIS invoice (to be downloaded from the “Manage my file” tab)

    Please include your bank account number in the request to receive your refund payment.

  • Quarantine guide :

    General information HERE

    Booking conditions HERE

    • Wearing a mask is mandatory (from the age of 11 years old) in establishments open to the public, in open-air public spaces, in shops, at the airport, at the ferry terminals as well as on public transport.
    • Respecting prevention measures at all times and in all places;
    • In case of a change of itinerary, travelers should update the “itinerary” part of their file on the Etis.pf website;
    • Self-diagnosis of visitors: in case of doubt on the traveler’s state of health (fever and/or flu symptoms), they are required to contact the reception of their accommodations and/or call directly to (+689) 40 455 000. If they feel any sign of distress, they should dial “15” (emergency services);
    • Depending on the diagnosis made by the Health Authorities, follow their instructions which may include isolation measures and / or carrying out an additional RT-PCR test.

    • Local tourism professionals :

    Consult the Covid-19 procedures and recommendations guide for local tourism professionals:

  • The Islands of Tahiti Testing Locations

    With the list of nations requiring negative COVID-19 tests to be taken prior to departure continuing to expand.

    Travelers may have the option of several testing site on Tahiti and Moorea or they can choose to secure a testing kit for their return prior to departing the U.S. See emed website for more information.

    The list of current options on Tahiti and Moorea for travelers that are required to take a test prior to departure :

    • Covid-19 testing information for travelers returning form The Islands of Tahiti 

  • If you have already booked your stay in The Islands Of Tahiti, we recommend that you consult the website of your airline company:

  • “According to Article 6 of the aforementioned decree, the High Commissioner of the Republic may grant individual exemptions to cruise ships wishing to call, stop or anchor in French internal waters and territorial sea” – Art.12 of Order No. HC 3099 CAB of October 20, 2020.

    Consult the website of your cruise company:

  • “It is forbidden for any pleasure boat arriving in French Polynesia to call, anchor or park, or disembark at sea any person in the internal waters and territorial sea of French Polynesia until further notice”. – Art.13 of the Order No. HC 3099 CAB of October 20, 2020.

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  • 03/07/2020 – Communiqué de presse – Politique commune d’annulation et de modification de séjour résultant de la pandémie Covid-19

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