Asia and Oceania

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is no British consular representation in Tuvalu. Consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji. See General - Consular assistance for more details. 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.
  
  
• Only a handful of British nationals visit Tuvalu each year. Most visits are trouble-free.
  
  
• The tropical cyclone season in Tuvalu normally runs from November to April.  Throughout this period there is a high risk of strong winds and heavy rains with associated flooding, landslides and road closures.  Travellers are advised to monitor the latest weather bulletins on the Tuvalu Meteorological website, in local newspapers and on Tuvalu Media Department Radio on 621 AM.  See Natural Disasters. 
  
   
• There is a low threat from terrorism in Tuvalu. 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.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance. 

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism in Tuvalu. 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.

See our Terrorism Abroad page

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Tuvalu Country Profile

Drug taking in all forms is illegal.  Importing or exporting illegal drugs attracts a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $2000.  Those found guilty of cultivating or distributing illegal drugs are likely to receive similarly severe punishment. Homosexuality is illegal in Tuvalu. Those found guilty of consensual sex between adult males could face a minimum penalty of seven years imprisonment.

See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
Visas are not required for British nationals visiting for periods of up to one month, provided that your passport is valid for at least a month from the date of entry into the country. An extension of stay for a maximum period of three months is available from the Department of Immigration.

For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration contact the Department of Immigration at:

Chief Immigration Officer (acting)
Department of Immigration
Private Mail Bag
Vaiaku, Funafuti, Tuvalu
Telephone: (+688) 20240

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Tuvalu. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Tuvalu.

Entry Requirements - 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.

Tuvalu's only hospital is on Funafuti and the outer islands have trained nurses only. Medical facilities are generally adequate for routine medical treatment. For more serious or complicated problems medical evacuation to Fiji, or beyond to Australia may be required.

Dengue, which is transmitted by mosquitoes occurs in Tuvalu. 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.

Exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

Seek medical advice before travelling to Tuvalu 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) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our Travel Health and Eat and Drink Safely pages.

The tropical cyclone season in Tuvalu normally runs from November to April.  Throughout this period there is a high risk of strong winds and heavy rains with associated flooding, landslides and road closures. 

You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), from the Tuvalu Meteorological Service, in local newspapers and on Tuvalu Media Department Radio on 621 AM.

See also Tropical cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a tropical cyclone.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance particularly if you plan to engage in adventure sports. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when overseas see When Things Go Wrong.

General - Consular assistance
There is no British consular representation in Tuvalu. Consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji Islands. For contact details please see the Travel Advice for Fiji.

General - 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.

General - Passports
If your passport is lost, stolen or expired, there are no facilities to issue full validity UK passports in Tuvalu; these are all issued at our Regional Passport Processing Centre in New Zealand. Details on how to complete the application process can be seen on the UK in New Zealand website.

In the event of a lost or stolen passport, the Tuvalu authorities can issue emergency travel documents which will allow you to travel as far as Fiji, where you will then need to apply for a replacement passport, from the Regional Passport Processing Centre in New Zealand.

If your need to travel falls within the minimum full validity passport processing time of 3-4 weeks, you should contact the British High Commission in Suva and they will do their best to help you. You may be eligible for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). We make every effort to make sure that compassionate cases are processed quickly.

Keep a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport to avoid any complications.