Asia and Oceania

Nauru
Still current at: 26 November 2009 Updated: 16 September 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with a further amendment to the Health section (Swine Flu). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at WHO - Pandemic (H1N1) has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
There is no consular representation in Nauru. Consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Fiji. See the General section of this travel advice for more details.
Only a handful of British nationals visit Nauru each year. Most visits are trouble-free.
There is a low threat from terrorism in Nauru. 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.
The tropical cyclone season in Nauru normally runs from November to April. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism in Nauru. 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.

Political Situation

Following a period of political uncertainty, stability now appears to have returned to the political scene following the re-election in April 2008 of President Marcus Stephen.

Nauru Country Profile

Local laws and customs

There are heavy penalties for all drug offences.

Homosexuality is technically illegal in many Pacific countries and the law is occasionally enforced. Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend some in Nauru.

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

Entry requirements

Visas

British passport holders require a visa for Nauru. This must be obtained before your arrival in Nauru.

For details on how to obtain a visa and on what exactly will be required at immigration, please contact one of the following:-

Nauru High Commission, Ratu Sukuna House, Victoria Parade, PO Box 2420, Government Buildings, Suva, Republic of Fiji; (Tel: 00 679 331 3566; Fax: 00 678 330 2861); e-mail: naurulands@connect.com.fj.

or:

Director of Immigration, Customs and Immigration, Department of Justice, Government Building, Yaren District, Republic of Nauru; (Tel: 00 674 444 3152 / 3162; Fax: 00 674 444 3832).

Alternatively Air Nauru may be able to give advice. They can be contacted on: (Tel: 00 679 331 2377).

Passport validity

In order to be issued with a visa, your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry into the country.

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.

Health

Medical facilities in Nauru are very basic and therefore medical evacuation by air ambulance to Australia is necessary in most cases.

There have been no reported cases of the H1N1 (Swine Flue) in Nauru.

Dengue occurs in Nauru and 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 Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.

Nauru is subject to periodic outbreaks of typhoid. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Nauru you should seek immediate medical attention.

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

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Nauru 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 NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

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

Natural disasters

The tropical cyclone season in Nauru normally runs from November to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). You can also access National Hurricane Center for updates. See Tropical cyclones for more details.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance particularly if you plan to engage in adventure sports. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Consular representation

There is no consular representation in Nauru. Consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji (see Contact details).

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. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Passports

If you require a new passport, application forms can be downloaded from the Internet. To avoid unnecessary delays, you are advised to contact the British High Commission in Suva (Fiji) before submitting your completed passport application form to the British High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand (please see the Travel Advice: New Zealand). Where possible, you are advised to apply at least two months before your passport is due to expire. You will be allowed to retain your old passport whilst waiting for the replacement to be issued and returned.

In event of a lost or stolen passport, the Nauru authorities can issue emergency travel documents, which will allow you to travel as far as Australia. Once in Australia, the British High Commission in Canberra will be able to issue a replacement passport within two to three weeks. If you need to travel more urgently, the British Consulate-Generals in Brisbane and Sydney will be able to issue a limited validity passport to enable you to continue your journey. There will be an additional fee for any passport service performed outside normal consular office opening hours. We strongly advise you to keep a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport to avoid any complications.