LBD 164 Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 I had seen a post a while back about one way flights in and sailing out of Fiji... but cannot find it now that I have that very question. Can some one give me the low down on visa/travel requirements flying in and sailing out of Fiji please... or where to best find the info. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CarpeDiem 510 Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 45 minutes ago, LBD said: I had seen a post a while back about one way flights in and sailing out of Fiji... but cannot find it now that I have that very question. Can some one give me the low down on visa/travel requirements flying in and sailing out of Fiji please... or where to best find the info. Thanks If you want to avoid the complications and paperwork buy a one way ticket each way and get a fully refundable one for the return. Once the skipper of the boat signs you on as crew, which they have to do for you to leave. You become their legal responsibility. Then just refund your ticket. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LBD 164 Posted September 22 Author Share Posted September 22 50 minutes ago, CarpeDiem said: If you want to avoid the complications and paperwork buy a one way ticket each way and get a fully refundable one for the return. Once the skipper of the boat signs you on as crew, which they have to do for you to leave. You become their legal responsibility. Then just refund your ticket. Cunning.... but not that simple for me... flying Asia to Fiji, then NZ back to Asia How does the legit process work, anyone know? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CarpeDiem 510 Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 2 hours ago, LBD said: Cunning.... but not that simple for me... flying Asia to Fiji, then NZ back to Asia How does the legit process work, anyone know? You just need an ongoing ticket out of Fiji. It can be to anywhere. So buy your ticket from Asia to Fiji, and buy another fully refundable ticket from Fiji to NZ. Doesn't even have to be the same airline. If you want to do the legit process your skipper will need to apply to the Fiji Department of Immigration, paying the necessary fees and completing the necessary paperwork to get you a letter of approval, they'll need to be already in Fiji and then they'll need to post you that letter. This letter will need to be presented to the airline when you board, they won't let you board without this letter (or an onward ticket.) A group of us took a Cat up a few months back and some of us are going up again in a few weeks to bring it back to NZ. We looked into how to do this without a return ticket and it was just too hard, we couldn't even get a copy of the paperwork to fill out to apply for said letter. Asking around at the marina we were in - everyone buys the refundable ticket home. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 391 Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 I’d never do this of course but I’ve heard that there are a few websites that sell $5usd fake airline tickets on actual flights. We had some Europeans friends that are circumnavigating that didn’t want to sail to NZ last summer so left there yacht at Vuda and flew down and hired a rental van to do NZ, they use this fake service all the time to get crew on and off in many countries so far. Im flying up to Fiji on the next weather wind and will just buy a refundable return and cash it in on arrival back here, Last year I paid $30fd per crew to enable them to fly up on oneway tickets, the ones that flew Fijiair had no problems but the ones that flew Airnz had heaps of trouble. The airline that flys you in is liable to fly you home if your entry is rejected Going forward I’ll not bother with the customs letter and either go fake or refundable Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,284 Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 I've always managed with an appointment letter from the vessel, Stamped with the vessels stamp and signed by the owner/skipper, saying you are appointed as crew on SV XYZ, registration details, from date XXXXXX as skipper/mate/deckhand whatever. Vessel is currently in Fiji waters and expects to depart approximately XXXXXX. Never been an issue... Commercial Mariners do this all the time. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bad Kitty 283 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 50 minutes ago, Island Time said: I've always managed with an appointment letter from the vessel, Stamped with the vessels stamp and signed by the owner/skipper, saying you are appointed as crew on SV XYZ, registration details, from date XXXXXX as skipper/mate/deckhand whatever. Vessel is currently in Fiji waters and expects to depart approximately XXXXXX. Never been an issue... Commercial Mariners do this all the time. This, no problem, 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mattm 106 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 Is a Vessel stamp something official? Also, Jon, I did enjoy the change between your first sentence and your last. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 391 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 30 minutes ago, mattm said: Is a Vessel stamp something official? Also, Jon, I did enjoy the change between your first sentence and your last. Haven’t tried it yet myself and the next one is a paid gig so won’t risk it. From what I’m told it’s the airnz that stops you in Auckland as they are liable to fly you home if your rejected at the other end Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,284 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 2 hours ago, Jon said: Haven’t tried it yet myself and the next one is a paid gig so won’t risk it. From what I’m told it’s the airnz that stops you in Auckland as they are liable to fly you home if your rejected at the other end Only had them try that with me once. Asked for a supervisor, who read the appointment letter, no problems... A stamp is possibly not necessary, but anything that makes the letter look more official might help. You could, of course, check with your airline. Just record who you speak to, and time/date, or even record the call... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
funlovincriminal 176 Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 Getting a NTFT "Notice to facilitate travel" made up at Fiji immigration is straightforward if boat owner/skipper is in Fiji. They just email you a copy, you print it off and all good. Not had an issue at the departure airport, AIR Nz or Fiji Air. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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