Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Can EU Peoples work in New Caledonia without a visa-like we can in France?? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / New Caledonia
waar 21:02 UTC 05 Jan 2011 | Hi, I am an Dutch citizen and I was wondering if this allows me to work in New Caladonia as it is a French Territory? Does that mean EU status and no visa requirements?? Thanks |
Laszlo 04:38 UTC 09 Jan 2011 | To the best of my knowledge NC s not really part of France (like Reunion in the Indian Ocean, for example) and the EU, and is subject to different regulations (also uses different currency). When I went there, being an EU citizen, I was only given a 3 months' stay. No idea about procedures for working legally though. | 1
escotillo 16:44 UTC 09 Jan 2011 | Hello Very interesting question. In the first place you have to distinguish between french overseas DEPARTMENTS and TERRITORIES and COLLECTIVITIES. Roughly speaking the DEPARTMENTS have the same laws and regulations as the french mainland - and are part of the EU with the EURO as currency BUT are not members of the treaty of Schengen. Territories and Collectivities have a kind of autonomy status, have sometimes their own currency and aren't part of the EU. Departments as such are French Guinea / Guadeloupe / Martinique / Reunion / Mayotte ( from march 2011 ). New Caledonia has a very unique so-called "sui generis" status amongst all french overseas territories and collectivities - because New Caledonians are likely to hold an independence referendum between 2014 and 20...?? EU laws and regulations are therefore NOT applicable to NC. So the right to work for citizens of EU member states does not apply there. | 2
ragecat 05:45 UTC 07 Feb 2011 | hi waar, only French passport holders can work legally in NC without any other documents incl work permits. Other members of EU need to apply for a work permit which requires a list of documents and a payment of approx 20000CFP per year (1 EUR = 119 CFP). It's not impossible but bear in mind authorities over here aren't too helpful with granting those as they are naturally trying to protect jobs for local people. I'd imagine if you have the patience to collect all needed documents and have an employer in NC that is willing to help you with obtaining the work permit, I don't see a problem with getting one. As for staying in NC as a EU member other than French, there seem to be a slight lack of communication as I have learnt on the way here (very painfully and costly). Officially, other than French EU passport holders can stay in NC for a period of 3 months on some sort of tourist visa. However after entering NC you'll find out that same EU members can stay in NC for an unlimited period of time, that is without working of course. But this obviously will require you to have enough funds to sustain yourself without working. hope this helps. :) | 3
carter817 10:08 UTC 06 Sep 2011 | Hello Ragecat, may i ask you where you got your information from o,n this subject?????? I called the French Embassy in London, and they said that i could work there with my European passport....??????????? I AM SOMEWHAT CONFUSED!!!!!!!!! I have a job there for an Australian company, so i am trying to get to the bottom of this rather challenging question!!!!! Cheers MR CARTER. And for a HONEYMOON, if you are still looking, even though it may be too late, go to Lifou, fantastic place!!! Edited by: carter817 | 4