Coronavirus COVID-19 - Travel Information
Papeete, July 21st, 2021
Entry and stay conditions
In view of the national decree concerning the easing of border restrictions applicable since June 9th, the conditions of entry and stay in The Islands of Tahiti are changing.
Vaccinated travelers are not required to quarantine. Children under the age of 18 can travel freely with a vaccinated parent or legal guardian.
Important: registration on www.etis.pf must be filed between 30 to 6 days the latest, prior to departure.
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 (except Guyana), United Kingdom or countries listed as “green” (including United States and Canada).
Requirements for Vaccinated Travelers:
- The registration receipt from the ETIS* platform (please complete this application 30-6 days prior to departure)
- 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.
- It is recommended to also bring the proof of vaccination document, if vaccinated
- 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 an RT-PCR test at day 4 and day 8 at the Louis Malardé Institute in Tahiti
Click on the visuals below to see the entire protocol. Please note that it may change in the coming weeks.
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
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Vaccinated person 6 years and older
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Non-vaccinated children between 6 and 18 years old accompanying a vaccinated parent or legal guardian
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- Non-vaccinated traveler 12,000 xpf
- Unvaccinated person 6 years and older
- Exemption
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- 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
For passengers departing to the United States requiring a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding, the test center at the Faa’a international airport is reopened. A this stage, the center is open on days when flights to the US are scheduled from 3 PM until 8 PM.
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. Two days prior to your 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
Consult the sanitary measures (available in french only) applicable within the framework of the gradual exit of the state of sanitary emergency as of July 1, 2021.
Here are the conditions to prepare your stay:
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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
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- RT-PCR Test
Proof of a negative RT-PCR test (any RT-PCR test listed on this FDA site is allowed) carried out within three days prior to their international air departure.
Ex: If the flight departs on a Monday at 11pm, the passenger needs to take the test the preceding Friday.
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.Home Collection and Saliva tests are not accepted.
The results of this test 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 complete one of the following vaccine schedules:
– Comirnaty (Pfizer) 2 shots
– COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna 2 shots
– COVID-19 Vaccine Astra Zeneca 2 shots
– COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen » (Johnson & Johnson) 1 shotThe deadlines to be respected between full anti-COVID 19 vaccination and departure:
- 7 days for Pfizer, Moderna and Astrazeneca vaccines
- 28 days for the Janssen vaccine
- Sanitary entry form online (Etis.pf)
After obtaining the negative test results, each adult must fill out a digital Sanitary entry form online on the dedicated platform (Etis.pf) mainly agreeing to:
- Respect the prevention measures and all health safety instructions issued by the authorities of French Polynesia for the pre-boarding phase, during the flight, disembarkation and throughout the stay;
- Call the emergency health line at 40 455 000 in case of cough, fever or respiratory difficulty. If the traveler feels any sign of distress, they should dial “15” (emergency services);
- Submit to the health surveillance system established by the government of French Polynesia which, among other health protocols, mandates a self-test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus 4 days after arrival French Polynesia;
- 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).
The Sanitary entry form is to be completed online on the dedicated digital platform ETIS.pf [Electronic Travel Information System].
Once completed a receipt with an ETIS number will be issued by email;
A printout of this receipt must be presented upon check-in together with the test results in order to be able to board the flight to French Polynesia and both 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.
- Self-Test
A self-test kit will be given to you upon your arrival at the airport. This is an oral and nasal test that you must perform yourself, on the 4th day of your 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 self-test kit to be deposited :
– At the ILM center or at a health center;
– at the reception desk of your accommodation. -
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- Application of International Air Transport Association (IATA) travel health protocol will be applied (at airports and on board the plane);
- Wearing mask during the flight.
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- 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.
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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, government agencies within French Polynesia including The Louis Malardé Institute, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism, are currently working together to find solutions to meet this growing demand.
Please review the list of current options for travelers that are required to take a test prior to departure:
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If you have already booked your stay in The Islands Of Tahiti, we recommend that you consult the website of your airline company:
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“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:
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“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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