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© 2026 Visa AtlasReviewed continuously. Last sweep: 29 June 2026
  1. Home/
  2. Visas/
  3. French Polynesia (French overseas collectivity)/
  4. Work-Authorised Long-Stay Visa

🇵🇫 French Polynesia (French overseas collectivity) · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

Work-Authorised Long-Stay Visa

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 29 June 2026

Employment-linked long-stay route to check for French Polynesia through France-Visas and the local French state authority.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyDuration depends on the France-Visas result and any local work or residence authorisation attached to the French Polynesia role.In flux
Processing time
Employer and applicant confirm the work purpose and documents, then use France-Visas for the long-stay filing and follow local High Commission instructions for any territory-specific steps.
Government fees
Confirm current visa, service-centre and local authorisation charges in France-Visas and local official instructions before filing.
Typical duration
Duration depends on the France-Visas result and any local work or residence authorisation attached to the French Polynesia role.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed 29 June 2026Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
Rule changes note —French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity, but it is outside the Schengen area. France-Visas tells applicants to check overseas-France rules for the exact destination and travel purpose; Service-Public explains the linked French residence categories. This is lite territory coverage and users should confirm the current French Polynesia-specific outcome in the France-Visas wizard before filing.
OverviewSourcesEligibilityPathwayApplyFAQ

Overview

French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity, but it is outside the Schengen area. France-Visas tells applicants to check overseas-France rules for the exact destination and travel purpose; Service-Public explains the linked French residence categories. This is lite territory coverage and users should confirm the current French Polynesia-specific outcome in the France-Visas wizard before filing. Employment in French Polynesia should be treated as an overseas-France, destination-specific filing. Applicants and employers should use France-Visas to select French Polynesia and the work purpose, then confirm any local work authorisation, employer evidence, and post-arrival steps with the High Commission or other competent local authority before relying on a mainland-France work-card label.

ℹ️ Who can apply?

You need an approved sponsor in French Polynesia (French overseas collectivity) before applying. This route can lead to permanent residence. Open to qualifying applicants from all countries.

Additional sources

  • Primary source

    France-Visas official portal ↗ · Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior

    Link last verified: 29 June 2026

  • Primary source

    High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia ↗ · High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia

    Link last verified: 29 June 2026

Eligibility

Typical criteria

  • ✓France-Visas confirms a work or employment-linked long-stay route for French Polynesia.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • ✓The applicant has employer, contract, role and qualification evidence matching the official checklist.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • ✓The employer and applicant confirm whether local work authorisation or High Commission follow-up is required.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗

Common blockers

  • !The applicant or employer assumes a mainland-France category without selecting French Polynesia in France-Visas.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • !The role is treated as business travel even though the applicant will work locally.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • !Employer, contract, local authorisation or accommodation evidence is incomplete.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗

Typical evidence

  • ·Passport or travel document valid for the intended stay and return conditions.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • ·France-Visas application receipt and destination/purpose selection showing French Polynesia where relevant.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • ·Civil-status, accommodation, funds, insurance, employment, family or host evidence matching the selected route.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • ·Employment contract, assignment letter or employer sponsorship evidence.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • ·Role, salary, qualification and local work-authorisation documents where requested.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗
  • ·Any High Commission or local authority instruction tied to the selected work route.Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior ↗

Application pathway

  1. 01

    Check the route fit

    Run the France-Visas wizard with French Polynesia as the destination and work as the purpose.

  2. 02

    Build the evidence pack

    Have the employer prepare contract, role and company evidence for the checklist.

  3. 03

    Submit through the official channel

    Confirm whether the High Commission or a local authority requires an additional work-authorisation step.

  4. 04

    After approval

    File the long-stay visa and keep post-arrival validation or residence instructions visible.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ApplyApplicant
    Start the France-Visas work application for French Polynesia ↗

    Use this official French source to confirm current French Polynesia and overseas-France visa or residence handling before applying. French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity, but it is outside the Schengen area. France-Visas tells applicants to check overseas-France rules for the exact destination and travel purpose; Service-Public explains the linked French residence categories. This is lite territory coverage and users should confirm the current French Polynesia-specific outcome in the France-Visas wizard before filing.

    Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior · verified 29 June 2026

  2. Official guidanceApplicant
    Check local High Commission guidance ↗

    Use this official French source to confirm current French Polynesia and overseas-France visa or residence handling before applying. French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity, but it is outside the Schengen area. France-Visas tells applicants to check overseas-France rules for the exact destination and travel purpose; Service-Public explains the linked French residence categories. This is lite territory coverage and users should confirm the current French Polynesia-specific outcome in the France-Visas wizard before filing.

    High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia · verified 29 June 2026

  3. ChecklistApplicant
    Confirm French Polynesia handling in overseas France guidance ↗

    Use this official French source to confirm current French Polynesia and overseas-France visa or residence handling before applying. French Polynesia is a French overseas collectivity, but it is outside the Schengen area. France-Visas tells applicants to check overseas-France rules for the exact destination and travel purpose; Service-Public explains the linked French residence categories. This is lite territory coverage and users should confirm the current French Polynesia-specific outcome in the France-Visas wizard before filing.

    Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs / Ministry of the Interior · verified 29 June 2026

Also explored by

🇮🇳 Indian🇵🇭 Filipino🇳🇬 Nigerian

Compare French Polynesia (French overseas collectivity) with

  • 🇦🇺 Commonwealth of Australia
  • 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
  • 🇲🇵 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States territory)

Related routes

  • Long-Stay Overseas Visa

    Long-stay visa and residence-entry route for people moving to French Polynesia for more than a short visit.

  • Family / Private-Life Long-Stay Visa

    Family or private-life long-stay route to check for family members moving to French Polynesia.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a mainland France work route label for French Polynesia?+−

Do not assume that. Select French Polynesia in France-Visas and follow the destination-specific result and any local High Commission instructions.

Is this a sponsor route?+−

Usually yes for employment: the employer provides the contract, role and company evidence requested by the France-Visas or local checklist.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor

This is not legal advice

We publish neutral, sourced information about immigration routes. Rules and thresholds change often — always verify details on the official government source linked on this page and consult a regulated immigration advisor before applying.

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