Asia and Oceania

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• New Caledonia is a French Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic consular representation. See General - Consular Registration.
  
  
• Tropical cyclone Jasmine is expected to pass close to the north east of the Loyauté islands. You should follow instructions from the local authorities and monitor updates on http://nouvelle-caledonie.gouv.fr
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public place, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• The risk from crime is low but you should take precautions.
  
  
• Very few British nationals visit New Caledonia each year. Most visits are trouble free. There were no cases of British nationals requiring consular assistance in 2009.
  
  
• Tropical cyclones may occur in New Caledonia between mid-December and mid-March. See Natural Disasters.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign nationals. See our Terrorism Abroad page.

For general information see our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas 
New Caledonia is a dependent territory of, and has a special status with, France. If your passport describes you as a British Citizen you will not need a visa to enter New Caledonia. Other British passport holders should check the current entry requirements here and if necessary confirm with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter New Caledonia. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.

Entry Requirements - Employment
EU regulations regarding employment and right of abode do not apply to New Caledonia and British nationals have no right to work or to extend their stay beyond the initial three months without special authorisation from the local authorities.

Entry Requirements - Extension of stay
If you wish to remain in New Caledonia for more than three months, you should apply via the local Haut Commissariat or French Consulate for the necessary residence and work permits.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
For information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the French Embassy in London.

General health care facilities in New Caledonia are good for uncomplicated treatment but more serious cases may require evacuation to Australia or France. You should make provision for this in your insurance cover.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not provide health cover in New Caledonia.

British nationals planning a permanent move to New Caledonia, especially those who have not yet reached retirement age, should consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at the earliest opportunity to obtain advice on their longer-term entitlement as residents to health care provision under the French national system.  Enquiries should be made to the DWP Overseas Medical Benefits help-line on 00 44 191 218 1999, which is open on Mondays to Fridays from 08.00 to 20.00 daily. Alternatively, information can be obtained direct from the English language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (French social security service) on 00 33 8 20 90 42 12 or CLEISS (the Helpdesk in France for international mobility and social security) on 00 33 1 45 26 33 4.

Several cases of Chikungunya were reported in New Caledonia in March 2011. Chikungunya is viral infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite during daylight hours. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and a rash. Travellers to New Caledonia who believe they are suffering such symptoms should consult a doctor.

Outbreaks of dengue fever are possible.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to New Caledonia 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 Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. See also our Travel Health page.

Tropical cyclones may occur in New Caledonia between mid-December and mid-March. Local weather updates are available from: the New Caledonia Meteorological Department and regional and international weather updates at: StormBanner. You should monitor these updates and follow any advice issued by the local authorities.

See our Tropical cyclones page for more detailed information and advice should you be involved in a cyclonic situation.

General - Insurance  
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to New Caledonia. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Consular Registration

Register with the FCO's 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.

There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in New Caledonia. Routine consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Paris.