New Caledonia Travel Tips

Passports & Visas

For entry into New Caledonia, French citizens must present a valid passport. In all cases, a return or onward travel ticket is necessary. Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to enter New Caledonia for a period not exceeding three months : Germany, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Portugal, St Marin, St Siège (Vatican), Sweden, Switzerland. No extension can be granted beyond the three months maximum stay in New Caledonia

Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa to enter New Caledonia for a period not exceeding one month : Bermuda, Brunei (Bandar), Canada, Chili, Cyprus, South Korea, Croatia, United States, Hungary, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Uruguay. No extension can be granted beyond the one month maximum stay in New Caledonia. Citizens of other nationalities must request a short stay visa from the French Consulate or Embassy, or the "Prefecture" (in French Administrations) in their country of residence

Request for resident status:

Nationals of the European Economic Community can freely settle in New Caledonia, on the condition that they have independent means and are self-employed (proof required). Those who wish to obtain salaried employment must request a long stay visa from the French Consulate or Embassy, or the "Prefecture" (in French Administrations) in their country of residence. Citizens of other nationalities must obtain a long stay visa from the French Consulate or Embassy in their country of residence.

Customs

Upon arrival in New Caledonia, you must declare all goods brought into the country and settle all customs duty and corresponding taxes at the Customs Office. The goods indicated below (gifts or purchases) are exempt from customs duty and taxes.

Tobacco : 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or tobacco (250 g)
Alcoholic beverages : 2 litres still wine plus 1 litre of spirits and liquors exceeding 22% alcohol content or 2 litres of spirits and liquors with 22% alcohol content or less
Perfume (50 mls).
Toilet water (1/4 litre).
Coffee (500 gm) or coffee extracts or essences (250 gm).
Tea (100 gm) or tea extracts or essences (40 gm).
Other goods: XPF 30 000 per passenger 15 years of age and over.
XPF 15 000 per passenger under 15 years of age.

Goods up to the total combined value as indicated above are free of duty and exempt from tax. Passengers under 17 years of age are not permitted to import duty free tobacco or alcoholic beverages.

Useful phrases in French

Currency

The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (XFP) with1/2/5/10/20/50 and 100 francs coins and 500/1,000/5,000/10,000 francs notes

What to wear?

New Caledonia enjoys a pleasant and temperate climate making light clothing appropriate. For the cooler nights (in the winter months), we recommend a couple of sweatshirts or similar and casually elegant dress wear if you are planning to go out to some of the wonderful restaurants, night-spots or casinos in Nouma. If you plan a trip to the islands, take a pair of old sport-shoes or rubber shoes to walk on tracks and reefs.

Holidays 2007

April 9: Easter Monday
May 1 : Labour day
May 8 : 1945 Victory
May 17 : Ascension Day
May 28: Pentecoste Day
July 14 : Bastille Day
August 15 : Assumption Day
September 24 : French Treaty Day
November 1 : All Saint's Day
November 11 : 1918 Armistice Day
December 24-25 : Christmas Celebrations
December 31/January 1 : New Year Celebration

School Holidays 2007

School starts :
February 22nd
From April 7th to 15th
From May 26th to June 10th
From July 21nd to 29th
From September 8th to 23th
From November 3th to 11th

Summer holidays :
start December 15th