Carte de Séjour Temporaire Visiteur

The Carte de Séjour Temporaire Visiteur (Temporary Residence Card — Visitor) allows foreign nationals of independent means to reside in New Caledonia without exercising any professional activity. Established under Article 16 of Ordonnance n° 2002-388 du 20 mars 2002, the card targets retirees, rentiers, and others living on passive income — pensions, investment returns, or savings — who wish to live in New Caledonia without working locally. It is issued by the Haut-Commissariat de la République en Nouvelle-Calédonie and is valid for up to one year, renewable. Residence permits issued in New Caledonia are valid only within the territory and do not confer the right to reside in metropolitan France.

• Proof of sufficient means of existence to support yourself without local employment (no fixed minimum amount — assessed case by case)
• Written commitment not to exercise any professional activity requiring authorisation in New Caledonia
• Valid health insurance covering the entire duration of the stay
• Proof of accommodation in New Caledonia
• No threat to public order

Eligibility is based solely on financial self-sufficiency — no educational or professional qualifications are required.

• Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity, 2 blank pages, issued within last 10 years)
• Long-stay visa explicitly mentioning New Caledonia as the destination
• Proof of sufficient means of existence: bank statements showing passive income (pension, investment returns, rental income), savings certificates, or letters of credit
• Written commitment not to exercise any professional activity requiring authorisation
• Valid health insurance certificate
• Proof of accommodation in New Caledonia
• Repatriation guarantee

The card is valid for a maximum of 1 year per issuance. It may be renewed twice as a temporary card (up to 3 years in total). After two renewals, holders may apply for a multi-annual residence card valid for up to 4 years. Renewal applications must be submitted 2 months before the current card expires to the Bureau des Étrangers of the Haut-Commissariat. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for a 10-year carte de résident, subject to proof of French language ability and integration.

Family members may apply for residence permits through the standard family reunification process. Upon approval, they receive a carte de séjour bearing the mention «vie privée et familiale» (private and family life).

Individuals who establish their habitual abode or centre of economic interests in New Caledonia become tax residents subject to progressive income tax on worldwide income at rates from 0% to 40%, administered by the Direction des Services Fiscaux de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. Non-residents are subject to a flat 25% tax on New Caledonia-sourced income only. The Caledonian Solidarity Contribution (CCS) may also apply at rates of 1.3% to 4% depending on income type. A bilateral tax convention exists between New Caledonia and metropolitan France.

The application involves two stages:

1. Long-stay visa: Apply through the France-Visas portal (france-visas.gouv.fr) at the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The visa must explicitly mention New Caledonia — a standard French long-stay visa or a visa for metropolitan France is not valid for entry to New Caledonia. Apply at least 3 months before the planned arrival date.
2. Residence card: Within 2 months of arriving in New Caledonia, present yourself in person to the Bureau des Étrangers et de la Nationalité at the Haut-Commissariat in Nouméa to request the carte de séjour temporaire. Contact: [email protected].

Few countries maintain consular representation in New Caledonia itself, so ensure your passport and all documents are in order before travelling.