Scientific Permits

All Gump Station users (no matter what their nationality or length of stay) who are carrying out research (including assistants) or participating in a class (as a student, teaching assistant, or instructor/professor) must have a valid scientific permit, known as a "protocole d’accueil".  The application form is submitted to the Gump Station (see applications page) and forwarded by us to the government Research Department that issues the protocole d’accueil. 

For all questions related to permits and visas, please contact Hinano Teavai-Murphy.

Travel Documents

EU citizens: Only a valid EU passport is required.  There are no visa requirements for citizens of the European Union (but non-French citizens who stay longer than 3 months should apply for a residency card in Papeete).

US citizens: Citizens from many countries, including the USA, can enter French Polynesia without a visa and are allowed to stay for up to 1 month (in any 6 month period) so long as they have a valid protocole d’accueil.  The protocole d’accueil is mandatory and it must be available for checks from the police or gendarmerie. 

Other nationalities: Please check with your nearest French consulate whether your country participates in French Polynesia's visa waiver scheme and how long you are able to come without a visa (for some countries, it is 3 months for others, zero).  Contact Hinano Teavai-Murphy for further advice.

Scientific Visa (for stays longer than 'visa waiver' period)

For stays >1 month for US citizens, you must go to the French consulate closest to your place of residence at least 2 MONTHS prior to your planned visit to apply for a scientific visa.

The protocole d’accueil issued by French Polynesian government is required for the visa application and must be obtained (as described above) before going to the consulate. You will need the ORIGINAL, so be sure to apply early enough to have the protocole sent to you (FEDEX at your expense).

If you are staying for < 3 months you will be issued a visa (short stay, type C "Schengen" visa) by the consulate and you should also reclaim your original protocole d’accueil.  You will need both documents to enter French Polynesia.  Once you have arrived in Tahiti, there is no more to do.

If you are staying for > 3 months (long stay, type D visa), after arriving in Tahiti, you must go to the immigration office (DRCL - direction de la reglementation et du controle de la legalite) in Papeete within two months of your arrival with: a valid passport, two photos (passport-size pictures), and a 9000F timbre fiscale (tax stamp). The DRCL office will then issue a carte de sejour temporaire scientifique (temporary scientific residence card).  This can usually be renewed each year in Papeete by presenting a renewed protocole d’accueil.

The DRCL office is situated on the second floor of the Marie Ah You building, Rue Jeanne d’Arc.