How to Enter New Caledonia
Do I need a passport or visa to enter?
You need a passport valid for six months beyond the duration of your stay in New Caledonia. You do not need a visa if your stay in New Caledonia is less than one month. You may be able to obtain an extension of your stay for up to three months by applying to the Haut Commissionaire (The French High Commissioner) in Noumea. For longer stays, you must apply for a visa at the nearest French embassy or consulate well beforehand, as the processing time can be quite long. For further information about entry requirements, particularly for those planning to enter by sea, please 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 web site.Special Travel Circumstances in New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a small, remote tropical island. The main international airport in New Caledonia, La Tontouta, offers a limited number of international flights each day, mainly to Australia, Japan and New Zealand. A number of cruise ships, most from Australia, do visit New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands each week but they generally do not take on passengers within the Territory. Transportation may be interrupted due to weather, political or labor disputes, economic difficulties, or other reasons. If you travel to New Caledonia and an emergency arises, you should be prepared to remain in New Caledonia until the emergency passes or to arrange for a private air or sea charter from the island, which may cost thousands of dollars. The U.S. Government only arranges evacuation transportation in crises that pose a potential for loss of life or an imminent physical danger to the safety and security of U.S. citizens and when commercial options are not possible. The U.S. Government is required to seek reimbursement for government-organized evacuations in an amount equal to the average cost of a one-way ticket on a commercial carrier at the time commercial services are stopped.
Carry a copy of your U.S. passport with you at all times, so that if questioned by local officials, you will have proof of identity and U.S. citizenship readily available. If detained, immediately ask detention law enforcement officials to notify a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji.
Customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from New Caledonia of items such as agricultural products. Please contact the Embassy of France in Washington or one of the French consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Tropical Storms: The cyclone season in the South Pacific is November through April. The Fiji Meteorological Service maintains a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Nadi serving the Southwest Pacific Region. It collaborates with the French Meteorological Service and the French High Commission, which in turn alert the press and the public when necessary.
Disclaimer
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.