_jinx_

Do we need any visa or other entry document when arriving in Australia and/or New Zealand? Also, the Cook Islands and/or Tahiti? Thanks very much.

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover

Neil_Oz

Jinx, you may well get correct answers to all your questions here, but with the greatest respect to my fellow Fodorites I wouldn't place total reliance on the advice of strangers (myself included). I'd go to the horse's mouth for this sort of info, i.e. the respective governments.

For Australia: to quote from the Department of Immigration's site:
"All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia.
"Visas will be issued to travellers as an electronic record on the department’s computer systems and/or as a label or a stamp in your passport.
"You may not be given a label when your visa is granted. This is nothing to worry about, as immigration and customs officers can check your visa details electronically against your passport number."

You can apply online at www.immi.gov.au

I can't help with the other destinations, I'm sorry. The Cook Islands might be covered by your NZ entry formalities, but that's just a guess. If a web search doesn't turn up the official sites you need, I suggest you phone the NZ and French consulates in your home country.

jcasale

Neil_Oz, thanks for the link for Australia. I ahdn't ogtten to this point yet, but this is very helpful. As for New Zealand, I don't know where you are coming from Jinx, but for US citizens there doesn't seem to be any visa or entry documentaiton requirements for NZ. Can't answer the Cook Islands or Tahiti.

DasFX

For New Zealand See:

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migra...isit/visitors/

You don’t need a visa or permit if you’re:

a New Zealand citizen or you hold a New Zealand residence permit
an Australian citizen, or Australian resident who holds a current permanent resident return visa (temporary or provisional resident return visa holders will need a visa to enter New Zealand).

And you don’t need a Visitor’s Visa to visit New Zealand if you’re:

a British citizen or a traveller holding a British passport who has the right to live in the United Kingdom. We may grant you a Visitor’s Permit for up to six months
visiting New Zealand for no more than three months and you’re:
travelling on a United Nations laissez-passer
or
a citizen of a visa free country. Find out if you’re a 'visa free’ visitor.

DasFX

Visa Free Countries for NZ:

Citizens of:

Andorra
Hungary
Oman

Argentina
Iceland
Poland

Austria
Ireland
Portugal*

Bahrain
Israel****
Qatar

Belgium
Italy
San Marino

Brazil
Japan
Saudi Arabia

Brunei
Korea (South)
Singapore

Canada
Kuwait
Slovak Republic

Chile
Latvia*****
Slovenia

Cyprus
Liechtenstein
South Africa

Czech Republic
Lithuania*****
Spain

Denmark
Luxembourg
Sweden

Estonia*****
Malaysia
Switzerland

Finland
Malta
United Arab Emirates

France
Mexico
United States of America**

Germany
Monaco
Uruguay

Greece
Netherlands
Vatican City

Hong Kong ***
Norway



* Portuguese passport holders must also have the right to live permanently in Portugal.

** Including nationals of the USA.

*** Residents of Hong Kong travelling on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National (Overseas) passports.

**** Other than persons travelling to New Zealand in an official Israeli government capacity.

***** Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien's (non-citizen's) passports issued by these countries.

People travelling on a United Nations (UN) laissez-passer.

Visits up to 6 months

British citizens, and other British passport holders who produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the United Kingdom.

DasFX

Cook Islands:

http://www.cook-islands.com/visitor_entry.php

Entry Requirements

A bona-fide visitor (any person who enters the Cook Islands solely for recreation or vacation/holiday), does not require an entry permit, provided he/she possesses proof of onward passage (booked and paid) for stays of not more than 31 days. Extension permits are usually granted for visitors wanting to stay over 31 days.

All visitors are required to have a valid passport, proof of onward passage, adequate financial means of supporting stay, and suitable accommodation.

Applications can be made upon arrival at the Immigration Department. Extensions are granted on a monthly basis, up to 5 additional months only.

A fee is payable with each application within 14 days prior to the expiration of the permit. Extensions are granted at two levels. Up to three months NZ$70 (15 years and older), up to five months NZ$120 (15 years and older). Children under 15 years of age are exempt from charges but must report to Immigration for official paperwork to be completed.

For those wanting to stay in the Cook Islands longer than 6 months, must apply for a visa from their home territory, prior to their arrival in the Cook Islands.

Please direct applications to:

Principal Immigration Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration
PO Box 105
Rarotonga Ph: (682) 29347
COOK ISLANDS Fax: (682) 21247

DasFX

Tahiti:

http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/plann...quirements.asp

Tahiti Entry Requirements
Every visitor to French Polynesia must have:

1. A valid passport.

2. A return airline ticket to their resident country or to at least two more continuing destinations.

3. Sufficient funds to cover their planned stay.

For stays of up to one month, there are no visa requirements for citizens of the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. A foreigner with a residence card for the U.S. is not exempt from the above requirements and should consult the French Consulate based in the U.S. for information.


Citizens of European Union countries do not need a visa for stays of up to three months; citizens of other countries should consult the French Consulate.

As entry requirements are subject to modification without notice, it is advisable to check with your travel arranger before departure.

_jinx_

Many thanks, everyone. This helps a bunch. We are Texans heading from Austin to Australia and New Zealand by way of Papeete and Rarotonga in April.

Cheers,

Jinx Hoover

WallyKringen

To clarify:

The ETA is not a physical visa (not a stamp or sticky that goes in your passport), it's a computer entry you complete online.

The airline won't let you board for AUS or NZ before the agent has verified that computer entry, and the immigration officer on arrival will do the same. It allows you unlimited entries within a 3-month period from the date of your first entry (not from the date when you went online).

So you could keep hopping back and forth betwen AUS and NZ within a 3-month period. Well, not hopping, 'roos do that, maybe you'd swim?

WK