Employment · business · official procedures

Working in French Polynesia starts with status

Do not begin with job adverts or a business name. First establish nationality, right to stay, the proposed activity, employee or self-employed status, employer or client location, and the island where the work is actually performed.

Three different paths

Identify the competent service

Employee

Check the contract, applicable labour rules, social-protection registration and any authorisation required for the worker. The employer has its own declaration duties.

Foreign worker

The SEFI publishes a specific procedure for foreign workers. It states that the first work-authorisation application and renewals are the responsibility of the employer established in French Polynesia. Confirm the current rule for nationality and role.

Self-employed activity

Tax registration is not, by itself, permission to exercise every profession. Regulated activities may require separate qualifications or authorisations. Ask the DICP and the competent professional service.

Remote employee or contractor

An overseas employer or client does not automatically remove local stay, work, tax or social questions. Obtain advice based on the real arrangement.

Before accepting work

Verify the whole arrangement

Written role, employer or client identity and work location.
Gross and net pay basis, currency, payment schedule and expenses.
Hours, leave, trial period, termination and applicable collective agreement.
Work authorisation and residence documents where required.
CPS registration or other social-protection position confirmed by the competent body.
Housing, transport and inter-island travel costs separated from salary.

FenuaTravel does not calculate an individual right, payroll or tax result. Rules and forms must be confirmed with the competent administration.

Employment search

Use official channels and verify the employer

SEFI is the public employment and training service. Search current offers and procedures there, but still verify the legal employer, actual workplace and contract. Public-sector recruitment follows different rules and vacancy channels from private employment.

Island choice matters: a role listed for French Polynesia may be based on Tahiti, another Society Island or a remote archipelago. Housing and transport availability can change the economic value of the offer.

Starting a business

Do not copy a status from mainland France

French Polynesia has its own tax and administrative framework. Describe the activity, clients, turnover, premises and regulated aspects to the DICP or relevant one-stop service. The official DICP information explains that business registration duties and where to file can depend on the activity. Keep written evidence of the answer used.

Official sources

Open the service that decides

Editorial and source review: 28 July 2026. This page is orientation, not individual legal or tax advice.

Practical informationReopen the named official source before booking, paying or filing.

Page updatedJuly 28, 2026

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