Travel Documents and Entry Conditions

Entry Requirements

Please find below, the entry requirements for all of our destinations.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that entry requirements are subject to change without notice, at Government discretion. Air Tahiti Nui seeks to provide accurate information, however does not assume any liability.

We recommend that passengers verify entry and pre-flight testing requirements on the relevant Government website and check the IATA Travel Centre website prior to booking their flight for up to date border entry/transit and travel requirements.

Entry and Stay Conditions - French Polynesia

Visa Information

French Polynesia entry restrictions vary by nationality and length of stay. New Zealand and Australian valid passport holders do not require a tourist visa if staying for less than 3-months and provided they can present evidence relating to:

the purpose of your stay
your means of subsistence in French Polynesia
and your guarantee for repatriation
(e.g. valid and adequate travel insurance, valid attestation, valid travel ticket to the usual residence country, etc
Your Australian/New Zealand passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than the date on which you plan to leave French Polynesia, containing at least 2 blank sheets, issued less than 10 years ago

The Visa Waiver list of countries for a stay of less than 3 months can be found here.

Please note that if you are not a citizen of French Polynesia or France/European Union passport holder and French Polynesia is your end destination you will need a visa to enter the country on a one-way ticket. This will also apply to anyone who is planning on joining a yacht or commercial vessel (Maritime Agency Letter of Guarantee and Bond Letter required from an authorised Maritime Agency) in French Polynesia. It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure that they possess all the necessary documentation before they can board the aircraft.

We would recommend that all visitors to French Polynesia visit the website for Tahiti Tourisme or State Services for French Polynesia website to fully understand what documentation is needed.

COVID-19 Entry Conditions

Since August 1, 2022, all COVID-19 related entry restrictions to French Polynesia have been lifted and no longer apply.

Entry and Stay Conditions - USA

Entry requirements to the United States of America are subject to both State and Federal provisions.

Visitor Visa

Australia and New Zealand passport holders, along with 37 other countries, qualify for the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If you plan to visit the United States under the VWP, you must get an approved travel authorisation before your trip by registering for a Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at least 72 hours before flight departure. If you do not hold either an Australian or New Zealand passport and you wish to establish whether you need a visa to enter the United States, please check here for your eligibility.

Connecting Flights

Please ensure that you also familarise yourself with all travel conditions for each of your flights and transit city/country. E.g. French Polynesia.

COVID-19 entry conditions

COVID-19 vaccination requirements no longer apply regardless of nationality or country of origin. For more information this update from 12 May 2023 please visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website.

Other useful links

For information published by the US Customs and Border Protection.
For the US Embassy & Consulate
Department of Homeland Security

Entry and Stay Conditions - France

For the latest information on entry conditions and vaccination status requirements for foreign nationals please visit the French Diplomacy and French Interior Ministry websites for visitors to France. For details on the latest health measures while in France please click here.

Travelling to France via the United States

Please ensure that you also familarise yourself with all travel conditions for each of your flights and transit city/country. If travelling to France via the United States (E.g. AKL-PPT-LAX-CDG) you must obtain the following necessary transit visa at least 72 hours before flight departure.

An Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for flights with a transit in Los Angeles. i.e. TN7 / TN8

COVID-19 Entry Conditions

Since August 1, 2022, the COVID-19 related entry restrictions to France have been lifted and no longer apply.

Entry and Stay Conditions - New Zealand

The New Zealand border is now open to all visitors regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Find out what you need to do by clicking here. Other useful links include the New Zealand Government's Unite against COVID website and the New Zealand Ministry of Health website.

In addition, since October 20, 2022, travelers are no longer required to complete the NZTD Travel Declaration within 28 days of departure to New Zealand. However, it should be noted that the NZTD will be required again starting from July, 2023.
For further information, please visit the New Zealand Traveller Declaration website.

Valid Passport

Every visitor to New Zealand must have:

A passport that is valid for 3 months beyond the date of return, or
A passport that is valid for 1 month beyond the date you intend to depart New Zealand, if the issuing government has consular representation in New Zealand that is able to issue and renew travel documents.

NZeTa or Visitor Visa

To visit New Zealand, you need either an NZeTA or a Visitor Visa - unless you're an Australian citizen. Most people visiting the country must pay an NZD35 International Visitor Levy (IVL). This will be paid at the same time you pay for your NZeTA or Visitor Visa. Before you make a booking to New Zealand you need to learn about the following:

Immigration and visa requirements
How to request an NZeTA via website or mobile app
Note: the name used on the NZeTA must match the machine-readable part of the passport. For a married woman who has both names on the passport, it is mandatory to use the MAIDEN name.
Information for travellers from Visa Waiver Countries
Biosecurity and customs regulations

Who will have to pay the IVL?

All passengers (including connecting passengers) EXCEPT:
• Passengers who are nationals or residents of New Zealand, Australia and certain Pacific Island nations.
• Transit passengers

What is the difference between a transit passenger and a connecting passenger?

You are a transit passenger if your itinerary to an international destination on a single ticket includes a stopover of less than 24 hours in the Auckland transit lounge or on board the aircraft.
You are a connecting passenger if you are travelling on different tickets to each destination and need to collect and check in your baggage during the transfer in Auckland.

Entry and Stay Conditions - Australia

For information applicable to entry conditions applicable for your visit we recommend that you visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.

Entry into Australia - Visa Requirements

Australian passport holders do not need a visa to enter Australia. New Zealand passport holders can travel to Australia without a visa and obtain a visa at the airport upon their arrival in Australian. All other passport holders need the right visa to enter Australia. You must obtain your visa before you travel to Australia. You may also need a visa to transit through Australia to another destination. To find out what type of visa you need, please use the Visa Finder tool located on the website of the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs.

To learn about security checks you will experience at an Australian airport you can visit the TravelSECURE website.

COVID-19 entry restrictions

All COVID-19 related entry restrictions to French Polynesia have been lifted and no longer apply.

Effective April 29, 2023 (00:00), the Japanese government has announced the lifting of COVID-19 prevention measures for international travellers arriving in Japan. According to the announcement, it will no longer be necessary to present a three-dose vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test result.

For further information, please visit the websites of the Embassy of Japan in France and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan.

For information on entry and visa restrictions based on the nationality and purpose of the visit to Japan we would recommend that you check with the nearest Japanese Consulate or visit the website for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Japan. Special border enforcement measures are currently in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Check-in for your flight 3 hours before departure. Our counters close 1 hour before flight departure.

Travel Documents

It is the passenger's responsibility to obtain and carry all required valid documents for your travel (i.e. passport, entry permits, vaccinations etc) and sufficient funds to cover the length of your stay. You must check the expiration dates on all documents and renew them if needed.

Always make certain that the name on your Air Tahiti Nui flight ticket matches the name on your passport. It is also advisable that any accompanying documentation also matches the name on your passport and that you identify yourself by the nationality on your passport.

Your passport must be valid for the required time beyond your travel dates. Be advised, some countries require a passport to be valid for six month beyond the date of departure.

Please note, because travel documents required for entry are subject to change without warning, it is advisable that you check with the consulate of each country on your itinerary or consult with your travel arranger before departure. Each passenger is solely responsible for understanding and possessing the correct documents for legally travelling to the countries served by Air Tahiti Nui. Alternatively you could check the IATA Travel Centre to see what documentation you will need.

Tickets

It is recommended that you keep your Air Tahiti Nui e-ticket receipt with you as it may be requested at the check-in counter or by customs officials as proof that you hold a return or onward ticket.

Unaccompanied Minor Travel

As of January 15, 2017, any child aged under 18-years of age planning to travel without their parents or legal guardian must be in possession of an authorisation to travel document before they will be permitted to leave French Territory, including French Polynesia.

This authorisation is applicable to all minors residing in France or French Polynesia, irrespective of their nationality. During their journey, the minor must be provided with:

a valid passport
authorisation to leave the territory
a photocopy of the identity document of the legal guardian who signed the exit authorisation

young girl smiling in air tahiti nui flight

Please note: No other document (e.g. family record book) should be required when the minor crosses the French territorial border, even if the minor does not have the same last name as the legal guardian who signed the authorisation.

Find out more.