How Filipinos Get Approved For A French Polynesia Visa

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(Last Updated On: August 21, 2020)

If you are a Philippine passport holder planning a trip to Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, or other islands in French Polynesia, you need to apply for a tourist visa. Continue reading for a guide on the requirements and application process for a French Polynesia visa for Philippines passport holders.

Do you need a visa?

French Polynesia visa for Philippines passport holder like me is required when visiting Tahiti and other islands in French Polynesia.

If you want to be sure if you need a French Polynesia visa, take the 3-minute test. Documents and visa fees will be provided if the result is you need a visa.

Or skip the test and proceed to submit your online application for a French Polynesia tourist visa.

Taking the French Polynesia visa test

If you decide to take the French Polynesia visa test, you might be like me that will look for the Philippines under the Nationality field. This is because most online forms asking for your nationality will have countries on the list of options.

For this visa test form, the drop-down list contains nationalities so choose Filipino.  Fill up the rest of the fields then click on Search.

You will receive the result like in the photo below saying that you need a visa. On the Your plans section at the bottom part, choose Tourism in both fields then click the Search button.

The next screen will display the French Polynesia visa requirements for Philippines passport holders and the visa fee.

Looking at the French Polynesia visa fee at 9 euros or ₱495, I told myself that this visa does not cost as much as other countries’ tourist visas. But there was a catch! Read on to know how much I was asked to pay during my application day.

You may choose to print the list of requirements then click on Submit online application button or proceed to apply.

Submitting your online application for a French Polynesia visa

If you click on the Submit online application button after taking the test, you will be directed to the online application page.  In case you skipped the test, go directly to the online application page.

Create a new account or log in to your account if you have an existing French visa account to accomplish the online form. Note that French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic so the visa requirements and process are almost the same.

If you created a new account, an email verification will be sent to you will a code that you need to input at the French visa application page. Once verified, you will be asked to create a password.

Accomplish the 5 pages online form about your:

1. Plans
2. Information
3. Last visa
4. Stay
5. Contacts

On Your contacts page, you will be asked if a person or a company will be accommodating you. If the answer is no, select My hotel or place of accommodation then provide the requested details for your hotel in French Polynesia.

You will also be asked if you have a sponsor. Provide their full names if you are being sponsored or choose myself if not.

Once you are done accomplishing the French Polynesia application form, review thoroughly the Recap page then submit your online application. Print the checklist and the accomplished application form.

Book your French Polynesia visa for Philippines appointment

For Filipinos applying for a French visa (including French Polynesia) in Manila, note that the Embassy of France in the Philippines does not accept visa application anymore. VFS Global in Makati City will process all the applications.

You will be directed to the VFS Global page after submitting your online application form. On the VFS Global page, you know the drill! Create a new account or log in to your account if you have an existing account to book your appointment.

If you encounter any issues booking an appointment, try different browsers. The page looped infinitely when I used Internet Explorer and was only able to proceed when I used Mozilla Firefox.

An appointment letter will be emailed to you. Print and bring it, along with the French Polynesia visa requirements, on your appointment day so you will be allowed to access the VFS Global Center. Make sure that your travel insurance is from an accredited Schengen travel insurance company.

Visa application center

On your appointment date, proceed to VFS France Global at 30th Floor, The World Centre, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Note that they will not allow any companion inside the application center.

Additional requirements not in the list

These are other requirements that were not on the list.

1. cover letter addressed to the consul or visa officer that will process your application stating your purpose of travel
2. a duplicate copy of your application form

You can write the cover letter while at the application center but for the smooth flow of your application, write this before your appointment day. Also for the French Polynesia visa application, they said they need two copies of my application form which was not in the published requirements.

And I was advised after my photo has been taken which means I was almost done. I think it was uncommon that they received a French Polynesia visa application  in Manila.

So unless you want to write the duplicate application form on the spot like me, you have nothing to lose if you will print your online application form twice before your appointment day.

In my case that I will be flying to Tahiti from Los Angeles (LAX), they needed the following additional requirements.

1. the copy of my flight from Manila to the US
2. a copy of my US tourist visa because Filipinos need a tourist visa to enter the US

Since I have my passport with me, I was able to photocopy my US tourist visa at the center. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to print a copy of my flight ticket to the US. They told me that I will receive an email requesting the proof of my flight to the US then I can just send it through email.

Visa fee

Even if the French Polynesia visa fee displayed when I took the visa test was 9 euros or ₱495, I was fortunate that I brought extra cash as the cashier told me my due was ₱2,500. I told her that as per the website, the French Polynesia visa fee is 9 euros only.

The cashier said yes but that is for the visa only. They charge a processing fee that was not indicated on the website so prepare enough cash as they do not accept credit or debit card payment.

Click below to book the cheapest flight to French Polynesia

Conclusion

5 days after my appointment day, I received an email stating that my French Polynesia visa has been approved without an email asking for proof of my flight to the US. I guess I have proven using the requirements that I submitted that I can fund my trip and I will return to the Philippines.

COVID-19 Update

The visa service of the French Embassy in the Philippines has resumed its visa issuance activity last June 22, 2020. Always check the customer advisories page of VFS Global.

Are you ready for your trip to French Polynesia?

Use our travel resources below in planning your trip to French Polynesia.

Tips when planning your trip

Find cheap flights: Jetradar compare airfares from airlines and travel agencies to help you book the best flight deals to the countries ending with land. Click to read our how to find cheap flights guide.

Accommodation: Start with Hotellook! It will help you book hostels to luxury resorts at the best price comparing rates between Booking.com, Zen, Agoda, Expedia, Hotels.com, Trip.com, and others.

You may also check Hostelworld for hostels only. Click to read our guide on how to find the best hostel for you.

Car Rental: Book the best prices and services with Rentalcars.com

Search using your phone: Download the Jetradar mobile app in iOS or Android to set price drop alerts on flights and compare accommodation and car rental rates

Tours: Get Your Guide or book with Klook and Viator(a TripAdvisor Company)

And don’t forget travel insurance with World Nomads! Click to read our travel insurance guide.

What to pack

Reusable Water Bottle: Nalgene

Immune Support: Airborne Chewables

Waterproof Action Camera: GoPro Hero 7 White

Comfortable Walking Shoes: ON Sneakers, click to read our best travel shoes for travel post.

Pin to your travel board!