Visa and customs for New Caledonia

© Eyefly Pacifique / NCTPS

Information sourced by New Caledonia Tourism: website.

Unlike France’s Overseas Departments (DOM), New Caledonia, as one of the French Overseas Territories and Communities, is not part of the Schenghen area. As a result, entry requirements for visitors to New Caledonia, particularly for nationals from European Union countries, are different.

Visiting New Caledonia: Do you need a visa or not?

Stays of less than three months for tourism or personal reasons

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of your departure from New Caledonia

• French nationals simply need to be in possession of a current passport.
• Flights to New Caledonia usually entail a stopover in another country so you should check your passport's validity requirements.

Short-stay visas entry requirements:

• Nationals of European Union and European Economic Area member countries, Switzerland and around fifty other countries (Australia, Canada, USA, Japan, New Zealand, and so forth) do not require a short-stay visa. You will find the full list of short-stay visa exempt countries on the website of the French High Commission (Please use Google Translate for the English version of this page).
• Check with your nearest French Consulate office if you need a visa. The list of French Embassies and Consulates can be found here.
  
• Select your nationality on your passport and complete the online application form. Submit all documentation to your local Consulate General of France.
• Specific exceptions may also be granted to diplomatic passport holders from some countries or to persons providing proof of refugee or stateless status.
• All non-French visitors should, however, be in a position to show proof of accommodation filled out by their host. They should also be in possession of a valid travel document (air ticket and so forth).
• No visa will be issued on arrival in New Caledonia.

Please note, the visa form may require the following information:

OPT-NC training centre
Le Lys Rouge
Level 5
22 rue du General Gallieni
98800 Nouméa
New Caledonia

Le Meridien Nouméa
Pointe Magnin,
98800 Nouméa
New Caledonia

Tel: +687 26.50.00

OPT-NC (Office des Postes et Telecommunications de Nouvelle Caledonie)
Port Plaisance
2 rue Paul Montchovet
98800 Nouméa
New Caledonia

Phone: +687 268 200
Website: www.opt.nc

Transit visa to get to Nouméa, New Caledonia

If you are flying to Nouméa from Australia and you are just transiting for less than eight hours, you do not need to apply for a transit visa. More information on a transit visa for Australia can be found here.

If you are flying to Nouméa from New Zealand and you are just transiting for less than 24 hours, you do not need to apply for a transit visa. More information on a transit visa for New Zealand can be found here.

If you are flying to Nouméa from Japan and you are just transiting, you do not need to apply for a transit visa. For more information on transiting via Japan, please consult your nearest Japan Consular Office.

Customs formalities and plant health checks

International regulations on the importing of arms, narcotics and counterfeit goods are, of course, enforced in New Caledonia.

However, specific regulations also apply to the importing of plants, animals and foodstuffs.

• Importing cheese and processed meat is prohibited to ensure New Caledonian livestock is protected from infection.
• To preserve New Caledonia’s immense wealth of endemic plant species, one of the greatest in the world, the import of plant products (seeds, plants, flowers) is also prohibited unless you hold a phytosanitary certificate authorising such import.

Import quotas also apply to some commodities, such as tobacco, alcohol, coffee and perfume.

New Caledonia has implemented a raft of regulations protecting animal and plant species; the export of some species is strictly prohibited.

Please ensure you know exactly what restrictions apply before boarding or making purchases to avoid any hassle at customs!