Asia and Oceania

New Caledonia
Still current at: 26 November 2009 Updated: 19 August 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Health section (A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) - confirmed). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Travel Summary

There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in New Caledonia (source: the local authorities). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. The French Authorities advise that travellers in New Caledonia who think that they have flu symptoms should telephone "15" or contact a local General Practitioner for advice and assistance. Further information and advice on what to do if you are in New Caledonia and think you have flu symptoms can be found at: http://www.inpes.sante.fr/grippeAH1N1/pdf/voyageurs/FlyersArrivee-FR-UK 080509.pdf. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.
New Caledonia is a French Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic consular representation. See the General section of this advice for more details.
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.
Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and you should take normal common-sense precautions. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
Very few British nationals visit New Caledonia each year. Most visits are trouble free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in 2007 concerned cases of illness.
Tropical cyclones may occur in New Caledonia between mid-December and mid-March. See the Natural Disasters section and Tropical cyclones for more details.
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to New Caledonia. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all 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. 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.

For further information see Terrorism Abroad.

Local laws and customs

For further information see Your Trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

New Caledonia is a dependent territory of, and has a special status with, France. If you are a British Citizen or British Subject with Right of Abode in the UK, you will not need a visa to enter France. Other British passport holders should confirm the current entry requirements with the nearest French Diplomatic mission.

Passport validity

All British passport holders require a valid passport. There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.

Employment

It is important to note that 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.

Extension of stay

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

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. For further information contact the French Embassy in London.

Health

There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine Flu) in New Caledonia (source: the local authorities). The World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Threat Alert Phase has been raised to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. The French Authorities advise that travellers in New Caledonia who think that they have flu symptoms should telephone "15" or contact a local General Practitioner for advice and assistance. Further information and advice on what to do if you are in New Caledonia and think you have flu symptoms can be found at: http://www.inpes.sante.fr/grippeAH1N1/pdf/voyageurs/FlyersArrivee-FR-UK 080509.pdf. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu is available on the UK Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk.

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.

An outbreak of dengue fever is currently affecting New Caledonia.

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 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.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Natural disasters

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.

Please also see Tropical cyclones for more detailed information and advice should you be involved in a cyclonic situation.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain 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 Travel Insurance.

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

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

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

Postal Address: British Embassy, see contact details.

In case of emergency, contact the Honorary British Consul in New Caledonia, BP 362, 98845, Nouméa Cedex; (tel: +687 282153; fax: +687 285144), or at 14 Rue Sarrail, Mont Coffyn, Nouméa.

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Contacts

France, Paris, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy, Paris, France
British Embassy
35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré
75363 Paris Cedex 08 Paris

Telephone:

(33) 1 44 51 31 00

Fax:

(33) 1 44 51 31 27 Consular

Email: public.paris@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT:
Mon -Fri: 0830-1200 / 1330-1700

Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0930-1300 / 1430-1800

Website: http://ukinfrance.fco.gov.uk/en/

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