Since May 1st, the Islands of Tahit have reopened their borders to travelers coming from the United States, and from June 6, borders are open to travelers coming from France, with the lifting of the compelling reasons between French Polynesia and France for vaccinated persons.
Important: registration on www.etis.pf must be filed between 30 to 6 days the latest, 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 (except Guyana), United Kingdom or countries listed as “green” (including United States and Canada).
Click on the visuals below to see the entire protocol. Please note that it may change in the coming weeks.
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.
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:
RT-PCR self-test on arrival:
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.
Antigenic tests at departure from Tahiti to the United States
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. At least two days before return to the United States, you can contact departure@ilm.pf, 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
From French Polynesia back to France
Travelers from French Polynesia are exempt from entry restrictions in France. This system could evolve according to the sanitary situation.
All travelers aged of 12 years and older must provide:
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.
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, Moderna, or Astra Zeneca :
– Comirnaty (Pfizer) 2 shots
– COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna 2 shots
– COVID-19 Vaccine Astra Zeneca 2 shots
– COVID-19 Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine 1 shot
The deadlines to be respected between full anti-COVID 19 vaccination and departure:
Sanitary entry form (ETIS)
After a negative test result, 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:
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. The ETIS platform is the gateway for obtaining the necessary travel. Document must be completed within 30 and 6 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.
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.
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 children under 18 years old (included unvaccinated children from 6 years old traveling with a parent or a legal guardian who is vaccinated or not). 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.
Statement from Tahiti Tourism : August 11, 2021
*conditions are subject to modifications
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 from Monday September 20th to Monday, September 27th, 2021.
Statement from Tahiti Tourism : September 17, 2021
*conditions are subject to modifications
In order to prevent the introduction of new strains of Covid-19, to eradicate Covid-19 completely, to protect the local population and to provide visitors with the best possible vacation experience, the re-opening of the International borders, are subject to the conditions.
If entering French Polynesia from the United States, only persons from the US, Canada, France, EU countries, United Kingdom, Israel, Lebanon, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or other “Green zone”* countries, who have been in their Green zone country for the preceding 15 continuous days, and residents of French Polynesia on their return flight, may be accepted for boarding.
If entering French Polynesia from an “Orange Zone” country, irrespective of nationality, they must be in the United States for the preceding 15 continuous days prior to their departure.
Must Have Documents for Airport check in are :
Note that random checks to verify the proof of vaccination may be done on arrival.
No quarantine on arrival needed.
For travelers who :
Mandatory quarantine is required upon arrival for 10 days in Tahiti at the expense of the traveler in Government assigned properties. (Except for 1. returning students, 2. residents who are returning medical evacuees and their companion, and 3. those who have recovered from Covid-19 and have been fully vaccinated after 6 months of recovery).
In order to find a certified Covid-19 testing facility, you may want to check the following web sites :
Beginning January 26, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires all passengers 2 years of age or older on a flight to the United States, regardless of their immunization status, to present at check-in :
Testing locations prior to departure from Papeete offering the approved tests. For travelers who could not carry out their test before reaching the international airport, antigenic testing is available at Tahiti Faa’a Airport. Hours of operation from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on every day of an International flight to the United States.
Passengers may also obtain a test at the Louis Malardé Institute In Papeete. Their website address is listed here https://www.ilm.pf/ and their hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays. Appointment not necessary.
For passengers on the island of Moorea, a test may be obtained at The Moorea Laboratory open 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday to Friday and 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit https://covidtestingtahiti.simplybook.me/v2/.
For more information please click HERE.
The exact details of the CDC requirement may be found by clicking here.
In the event of a positive test result, CDC rules prohibit onward travel to the United States. Passengers must then the follow the protocol and rules of the Ministry of Health, which require up to a 10-day quarantine at the traveler’s expense. If in quarantine due to a positive test result, at such time the Covid-19 test is negative, travel may resume. Click here for details on quarantine.
Travellers will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in order to transit Vancouver. It is mandatory to apply for this authorization before departure.
Nationals of a number of countries must obtain their Visa from a Canadian Embassy. For more information and to check if you need a specific visa to travel/transit to Canada, please consult the official Canadian immigration website.
Although an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required for transit to Vancouver, the health and other entry requirements imposed by the Canadian government do not apply to transit travelers.
To obtain an ETA for transit through Canada, you must apply for an ETA online.
All information is to be checked regularly on the Canadian government website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors-foreign-workers-students.html
What is an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
The ETA is a new entry requirement for foreign nationals from a visa-exempt country who are travelling to Canada by air. The ETA is an electronic document that is linked to your passport and remains valid for five years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Countries and territories whose citizens require an AVE to travel to Canada
As of March 15, 2016, citizens of the following countries and territories will need an EV before they can board a plane to Canada.
Andorra; Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; Austria; Bahamas; Barbados; Belgium; Brunei Darussalam; Chile; Cyprus; British citizens; British citizens abroad who are re-admissible to the United Kingdom; British citizens abroad who obtained their citizenship by birth on British soil, by descent, by naturalization or by registration in one of the British Overseas Territories: Anguilla – Bermuda – Gibraltar – Pitcairn Island – Cayman Islands – Falkland Islands- Turks and Caicos Islands – British Virgin Islands – Montserrat – St. Helena; Croatia; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Japan; Solomon Islands; Spain; Latvia, Republic of Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Monaco; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Papua New Guinea; Poland; Portugal; Federal Republic of Germany; Republic of Korea; San Marino; Samoa; Singapore; Slovakia; Slovenia; Solomon Islands; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland
U.S. citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian visa are exempt from obtaining an AEO.
Canadian citizens, including dual nationals, and permanent residents of Canada do not need to apply for an AVE.
How do I apply for an ETA?
Applying for an ETA is an easy process that can be completed online in minutes. To apply, you must have:
You can only apply once per person. For example, for a family of three, you will need to complete and submit three forms.
For more information, please visit : https://www.cic.gc.ca/visit-visiter/fr/visas
In the context of the crisis related to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAHITI EXPERIENCES has committed to Tahiti Tourism to apply a common and united commercial policy by proposing modifications without penalty or refund without charge within 12 months from the initial date of stay in case of cancellation.
The specifics of the agreement apply to cancellations and change requests for any new reservation made between May 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022 for travel within French Polynesia between July 15, 2020 and March 31, 2022 – with the exception of group requests.
The cancellation or change fees will be waived in the case of :
In the event of a request for cancellation or modification of reservations except in the cases defined above, standard conditions apply. See booking terms & conditions.
Given this exceptional situation, TAHITI EXPERIENCES still strongly recommends that our clients have a Travel Protection Plan or Travel Insurance, which takes into account the epidemic risk associated with COVID-19, when traveling.
TAHITI EXPERIENCES invites you to follow and respect the usual barrier gestures, recommended by the Ministry of Tourism and Health Department of French Polynesia :
“The Health Department updates its recommendations regularly to protect your health and recommends the right things to do against the COVID-19”
Just a few words,
The global health challenge we all are living at the present time is unprecedented. However, each one of us are reminded what really matters such as protecting ourselves with simple actions, participating in the fight against the epidemic by respecting the current sanitary measures and many more.
The health and safety of all have always been at the core priority of TAHITI EXPERIENCES and even more so today. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to complete successfully the missions of the agency. Jointly with the local authorities and all our partners, we will provide regular updates of all current and future measures and recommendations.
It is with the support of all health forces and your efforts in this trying time that we will beat the Covid-19 – all together.
On this optimistic note, I wish to tell you how much we look forward to welcoming you again into our Islands!
Thank you, Mauru’uru,
Teriitahi, Herald NANAI
General Manager
