Do you need a visa for New Caledonia?

The answer to this question depends on the country you're a citizen of with passport holders from countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan (including others) not required to obtain a visa for business or tourist purposes. You also don't need to obtain a tourist visa if you're a passport holder from a country in the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA) as New Caledonia is a French overseas territory.

This enables you to stay in New Caledonia for up to 90 days during a 6-month period as long as you hold a passport with at least 3 or 6 months of validity from your intended return date (depending on which country you're national of). However, just because you don't need to obtain a tourist visa, doesn't mean you don't need to show any additional documentation to get into the country.

If you're not travelling from one of the countries listed above, it's advised you contact your local French embassy for more information on visa requirements.

What documentation do you need to provide to travel to New Caledonia?

Once you arrive in New Caledonia, you'll be required to present the following documentation:

Proof of financial resources (bank statements, cash, debit card etc).
A return ticket (to prove you won't be staying for longer than your allotted 90 days).
Proof of appropriate travel insurance.
Documentation supporting the purpose of your stay (accommodation confirmation etc).

Please note that this documentation doesn't automatically guarantee your entry into New Caledonia. That decision resides with immigration officials once you arrive and is handled on a case-by-case basis.

How to apply for a visa for New Caledonia

The good news is that if you're a citizen of a country that requires a visa before entering New Caledonia, obtaining one is a relatively quick and easy process. There are two ways you can apply for a tourist visa; via a visit to your nearest French embassy or online. Both options require you to pay an application fee which is usually around USD$9 (AUD$13).

When applying for your visa, make sure you start the process well in advance of your intended travel date. Although most visas only take up to 15 days to be approved, the process can take a little longer in some circumstances so ensure you're leaving plenty of time to avoid any disruption to your travel plans. You also might not be able to get an embassy appointment right away so take that into consideration when planning out your timeline.

Return to New Caledonia FAQs