Asia and Oceania

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

• Due to Cyclone Tomas, severe weather is expected to hit Fiji during Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 March 2010.  Fiji authorities have issued a cyclone warning for the whole of the country. Please monitor local and international weather updates and follow the advice/instructions issued by the local authorities. 
  
  
• Tropical cyclones can occur in Fiji from the beginning of November until the end of April.  Driving conditions on all roads in flood affected areas can be poor. See the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Almost 35,000 British nationals visit Fiji every year. Most visits to Fiji are trouble–free and only a handful required consular assistance; of those, most were in connection with personal items being stolen , including passports.  Travellers should take extra care when visiting isolated locations, especially when travelling alone.
  
  

• Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.
  
  

• A military coup took place in Fiji in December 2006. Travellers should exercise caution and are advised to monitor the local situation for developments.  You should avoid all political rallies and avoid openly discussing political issues. See the Political Situation section of this Travel Advice.
  
  

• The penalty for possession of any amount of marijuana is a mandatory prison sentence.
  
  

• There is a low threat from terrorism in Fiji. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  

• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism in Fiji.  But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.  For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

The level of serious crime is low, but incidents of petty theft are fairly common. Like any other part of the world, be particularly careful with personal possessions and travel documents in cities and other popular tourist destinations. Keep your valuables and passport in a safe place. Avoid carrying everything in one bag. You should not leave your belongings unattended and should use hotel safes for passports and valuables.

Before you travel, make a copy of your passport personal details page. Take one copy with you, store it separately from the original, and leave one copy with friends or family at home (or upload it onto a secure online data storage site); this will help a speedier turnaround if your passport is lost or stolen.

Take particular care when walking at night in cities and towns. Be alert when you are withdrawing cash from cash machines.  Travellers, especially when travelling alone, should take extra care when visiting isolated locations.  Women travelling on their own should exercise caution to help ensure their personal security.

For more general information see Victims of Crime.

Political Situation

Fiji Country Profile

A military coup took place in Fiji in December 2006. On 10 April 2009, the Fiji Court of Appeal ruled the interim government unlawful and urged the creation of a new interim government.   Travellers should exercise caution and are advised to monitor the local situation for developments.  You should avoid all political rallies and avoid openly discussing political issues. Further information is available in the Fiji country profile (link above this paragraph).   

Local Travel

Air Travel

Airport Departure Tax is included in ticket prices.


Sea/River Travel

You should note there are dangerous rip tides along the reefs and river estuaries.  You are advised to wear the appropriate safety equipment before going out to the reefs or engaging in water sports and take local advice on safety at all times when engaging in adventure sports.  There have been shark attacks in some waters. For more general information see River and Sea Safety

Road Travel 

Nighttime driving outside built-up areas should be avoided. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced and traffic violations occur routinely. When taking a taxi make sure you are using a licensed txi, denoted by a yelow registration plate.

You should be aware that not all minibuses currently operating in Fiji are licensed by the LTA.  As with taxis, those with yellow number plates have been approved by the LTA.  Unlicensed minibuses will probably not be insured.

For further information see Driving Abroad.

Local laws and customs

Possession of any amount of marijuana carries a mandatory three-month prison sentence.

You may be invited to participate in the local ceremony of drinking kava.  You should be aware of the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency advice on the effects that this can have on the consumer's health.

Fijians are by nature modest people.  Topless bathing and nudity in public is forbidden.

Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware that homosexual acts in Fiji are illegal. Whilst the 1997 Constitution provides for sexual freedom and equality, primary legislation still exists which prohibits homosexual acts, even in private.  The maximum sentence for such offences is five years.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip. 

Entry requirements

Visas

 
Entry visas are not required for visits of up to four months. As a visitor you must have an onward or return ticket and a valid visa for the next country of disembarkation. If you are visiting Fiji on business you will be granted a stay for 14 days on arrival.

A visa is required for visits of longer than four months. Applications for visas can be made at the Fiji High Commission in London.

Those entering Fiji by boat are subject to the same visa requirements as those travelling to Fiji by plane.  Yachts can only enter through Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka.

Passport validity

 
All passports must be valid for a minimum period of six months upon arrival.

Importing meat or dairy products

Fiji customs enforce strict quarantine regulations and x-ray all in-bound luggage at Nadi airport. Most perishable foodstuffs will be confiscated on arrival, unless arriving from a country with quarantine agreements with Fiji.

Importing or exporting currency

Visitors and residents are required to declare currency amounts in excess of FJ5,000 (£1,600 approx).

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.

In the case of Fiji, no such documentation is required for visitors.  But it is required for those applying for work and/or residency permits.  For further information contact the Fiji High Commission in London.

Health

Health care facilities are adequate for routine medical treatment, but are limited in range and availability. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. In the event of a medical emergency, evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii is likely to be the only option for treatment, and you should ensure that your insurance policy covers this.

Outbreaks of typhoid fever and other diarrhoea can occur in Fiji.  Ministry of Health has reported a significant increase in confirmed cases of typhoid fever so far in 2010, compared to the same period in 2009.  Reported cases are spread throughout the four districts.  You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks.  If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Fiji you should seek immediate medical attention.

Dengue occurs in Fiji. Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccination against dengue, but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Fiji and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre NaTHNaC or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health. For food/drink hygiene see Eat and drink Safely.

Natural disasters

Earthquakes

Fiji is in an earthquake zone and suffers from tremors time to time. These events can be disorientating and disturbing, and they can trigger tsunami alerts.  For more information on earthquakes and their effects, please visit: www.earthquake.usgs.gov.

Cyclones

The cyclone season in Fiji normally runs from November to April.  Severe weather is expected to hit Fiji during Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 March 2010.  Fiji authorities have issued a cyclone warning for the whole of the country.

Flooding and disruption to services may occur.  You should monitor local and international weather updates.  In an emergency please contact the British High Commission on (+679) 322 9100.  You should also monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation.  You can also check the U.S. National Hurrucane Centre for updates.  Please also see Tropical Cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a cyclone.

There is a warning system in operation, though it may not always be adequate. 


For more general information see Tropical Cyclones. 

Flash Floods

Flash floods resulting in landslides and road blockages are not uncommon throughout the Fiji Islands. In periods of heavy rain, which can occur at any time of year, you should check with your tour operator or resort before travelling, particularly by road.

General

Insurance

You should take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance covering all eventualities, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance, before you travel, particularly if you plan to engage in adventure sports.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  See Travel Insurance for more details. Here's how we can help if things go wrong.

Mobile phones

The mobile phone network generally works well in cities and large towns but coverage on the edge of build-up areas, in rural areas and on the many outlying islands can be very limited or non-existent.  You can use your UK mobile phone in Fiji if global roaming has been activated, but making and receiving calls can be expensive.  Many UK mobile phones will not work in Fiji as your mobile phone provider may not have an international roaming agreement with Fiji’s mobile phone providers, Vodafone and Digicel.  Many visitors prefer to buy a Fiji SIM card on arrival. These are relatively cheap to buy and calls, both local and international are cheaper than using a UK SIM card. Fijian SIM cards are available at Nadi International Airport and at convenience stores and supermarkets.

In the outer islands the mobile phone network coverage is patchy.   Contact with family and friends may be affected.

Consular assistance in Fiji

The British High Commission is located in Suva, around 200kms from the main holiday resort areas in the west.  There may thus be some delay in rendering assistance to those who encounter problems in the west, given the distance involved, time taken to reach the west from Suva and the difficulties with travel on the Suva to Nadi road after dark.

Consular Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. 

Replacing your passport

The British High Commission in Suva is only able to issue passports with a limited validity.

Applications for full 10-year validity passports can be submitted to the High Commission in Suva for forwarding to the Regional Passport Production Centre in Wellington.  You are advised to apply at least two months before your passport is due to expire.  Staff in Suva will check your passport application with you face-to-face before forwarding on to Wellington for processing. Standard processing time is 4-6 weeks so we advise applicants not to make travel plans until their passport is returned.  The courier cost of F$88 will be added to the passport fee. Please note that you can apply up to nine months before your current passport expires. Any remaining period of validity will be credited to your replacement passport.

Fill out the application form and bring this to the High Commission. You will also need to bring with you:

• The current passport application fee
• The courier cost (currently F$88
• Completed application form (Adult – C1 or Child – C2)
• Two identical photos that meet British Government requirements (for details refer to photo guidelines)
• All relevant documentation required per category of application (for details refer to supporting documents)

Please ensure you bring in all the documents you have been asked to provide.

Where necessary the British High Commission in Suva will issue an emergency or temporary passport.  Temporary passports have a restricted validity of up to one year, whilst emergency passports are only valid for a single journey back to the UK using agreed transit points as necessary, or to Commonwealth countries provided a prior arrangement exists with the authorities of the Commonwealth country concerned.  The High Commission will be able to advise you which os these options best suits your circumstances.

You should keep a photocopy of your passport separate from the original and carry this with you at all times. Your passport, when not in your possession, should be stored in a secure location.

If your passport is lost or stolen you should contact the British High Commission in Suva. You should also report the theft of a passport to the local police so you can get a police report. You’ll need the report for insurance purposes and to obtain a replacement travel document from us.  You will need to complete an LSO1 form in order for your passport to be cancelled.  Identity theft is a growing crime.  To protect your identity please bring or send this form to us as soon as possible  You do not need to wait until you apply for a new passport.

If you are replacing a lost or stolen passport (rather than one that is full) you must also apply for a new exit visa from the Fijian authorities. This can take up to three working days and a fee may be charged.

Please see the section on victims of crime if your passport has been stolen along with other possessions whilst you are abroad.

Money

Most tourist hotels and many restaurants accept credit cards.  But not all ATMs accept the full range of credit cards issued overseas.  The Australian and New Zealand Bank (ANZ) and Westpac ATMs accept UK Visa and Mastercard, and UK debit cards with Maestro and/or Cirrus symbols.