8º 55.054s 140º 06.199w
Thu May 16 2019
Isabel
and I wish to spend quite a long time in French Polynesia, as this is one of
the best cruising areas in the world. Isabel carries a UK passport, and until
Brexit either happens or goes away, she’s allowed to stay at least 18 months
out of 3 years. As I carry an American passport, I’m limited to only 3 months
in country, except that because I’m her spouse, we can apply for a “carte de
sejour” for me. Think of it as a short-term residency card that should be good
for a year, then if we wish we can request an extension.
Anyway,
before departing Mexico Isabel engaged Tahiti Crew to help us with all our
entry visa and other official business. We could do it on our own, but we’re
both lazy and we appreciate professionals who know how to get it right the
first time. After a few years in Mexico, it’s obvious to us that a “who you
know, not what you know” approach offers some major advantages if you value
your time. Besides, we don’t have any time to waste.
Tahiti
Crew is based in Papeete, so they use a local agency to provide services on
Nuka Hiva. Kevin of Yacht Services Nuka Hiva is a lovely fellow, originally of
Glendale, California. He sailed through here many years ago, and, no big
surprise, went nuts over a local girl. He returned, they married and have a
son, and as a couple they run an excellent business helping out yachties like
us. They not only handle check ins and check outs for boats and crew, but also
carte de sejour, refueling assistance, car rental, laundry, high speed (well
sort of) internet access, importing boat parts, local tour arrangements, in
short just about anything one can name. Yacht Services is one stop shopping,
with detailed knowledge of local resources such as provisions and hardware,
flights to Papeete, medical etc. As well, Kevin and his wife are delightful
people and very pleasant to work with. They charge a fair price, and
everybody’s got to feed their family.
Once
we had completed the clearing in process, we met with Kevin to put together the
paperwork package for my carte de sejour. Took us about a half hour in his
little office, then we strolled up to see the local government official who
greeted us all very warmly (in French, of course) and after finding al the
paperwork satisfactory, smiled and bid us adieu.
I’m
betting Bob’s probably Kevin’s uncle. . .
So
it will take a month or two to get it all done, as apparently the government
bureaucrats that process these things in Papeete meet once a month, and if your
package arrives a day after they meet then the can gets kicked down the road 30
days. Once they review the package and make a decision it takes a few more
weeks for the paperwork to be completed. I should end up with an official
looking picture ID, which when necessary I will present to officials rather
than my US Passport. We’ll pick it up at the Tahiti Crew office in Papeete in
late July.
Carte
de sejour. Rolls off the tongue rather nicely, don’t you think?
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