North and Central America and Caribbean

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

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• 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 areas, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
• The hurricane season in the Turks and Caicos Islands normally runs from June to November. See  Natural Disasters.
  

• 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. 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 travellers.  

See our Terrorism Abroad page.
 
Safety and Security - Crime
The level of crime on Providenciales, the first point of arrival into the Turks and Caicos Islands for most visitors and the territory’s economic hub, is higher than on the other islands where incidences of serious crime are rare. Most crime tends to be as a result of opportunistic burglary and theft, although an increase in the incidence of more serious robberies has been reported recently. There have also been a number of armed robberies. Victims of robberies may suffer injuries if they resist.

You are advised to safeguard your possessions irrespective of which island you visit and to take normal precautions to ensure your personal safety. You should avoid carrying large amounts of cash and other valuables and take particular care to safeguard your passport, as this cannot be replaced locally. Use hotel safety deposit facilities to safeguard passports and valuables.

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
If you go to isolated spots or remote islands, or go diving and snorkelling, you should leave your destination details and an expected time of return with a friend, relative, or hotel receptionist.  You should avoid isolated spots at night.
 
Standard taxi fares exist for most destinations on the principal islands, however, charges may be applied per person.  Clarify the fare with the driver before beginning a journey.
 
Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
 You can use a British or International Driving Licence for a period of one month. After this a local licence should be obtained from the Department of Road Safety.
 
Most hire cars and jeeps are left-hand drive.  If hiring a vehicle, remember to drive on the left.  Observe speed limits (20mph in town, and 40mph elsewhere).  Do not drink and drive, and use seat belts on all journeys.  Accidents, sometimes serious, are on the increase on the Leeward Highway (Providenciales), especially at night. See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Turks & Caicos Islands Country Profile

On 14 August 2009, the FCO Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories instructed the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands to bring into force an Order in Council suspending ministerial government and the House of Assembly, and replacing them with an Advisory Council and a Consultative Forum. This followed the submission to the Governor of the final report of the Commission of Inquiry set up in July 2008 to look into possible corruption or other serious dishonesty in recent years of past or present elected members of the legislature.  In that report, the Commissioner found that there was information in abundance pointing to a high probability of systemic corruption and/or serious dishonesty.

You should not become involved with drugs of any kind.  Possession of even a small quantity attracts severe penalties. See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
Visas are not required if you have a valid UK Passport (see Passport validity, below). The Turks and Caicos Islands Immigration department will normally, in the first instance, give you permission to stay for up to 90 days. You will need a permit to work on any of the islands.

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

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.

Medical facilities in the Turks and Caicos Islands have improved recently with the opening of new hospital facilities on Providenciales and Grand Turk. Serious cases are still referred overseas, usually to Miami or Nassau. 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 Turks and Caicos Islands 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 page.

The Islands’ infrastructure has largely recovered from the damage caused by the September 2008 Hurricane Ike. There is still evidence of damage on Grand Turk and South Caicos.

The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You can monitor the progress of storms on the website of the US National Hurricane Centre for updates. For more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane see our Tropical cyclones page.

Direct hits are, historically, rare. Hotel management and local radio stations will pass on government advice if a hurricane is forecast.  

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should include suitable cover for medical evacuations. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

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

General - Consular assistance
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory; there is no British diplomatic or consular representation. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force will assist with crime related matters and can be contacted on (+1) (649) 946 2299 (Grand Turk) or (+1) (649) 946 4259 (Providenciales).

You should take particular care to safeguard British passports as these can only be replaced outside the Turks and Caicos Islands.  You should report the theft or loss of a British passport immediately to the police (from whom a written report must be obtained) and to the Director of Immigration (tel:  +1 649 946 2801).  In an absolute emergency the Department of Immigration will be able to issue emergency travel documents (not valid for travel through the United States of America).

All applications for renewal of British passports from British Citizens resident in the Turks and Caicos Islands, who acquired their citizenship other than through the Overseas Territories Act 2002, must be submitted on application form SE/O4/01 to the Immigration Department, Grand Turk.  It will then be sent to Identity and Passports Service (previously known as United Kingdom Passport Service) for processing.

General - Registration  
Register with our LOCATE [opens a new website] service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crises staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  

General - Contact Details  
Address:   Governor’s Office – Grand Turk
Waterloo Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Islands   Tel: (+1) (649) 946 2308/9
Email: Governorgt@fco.gov.uk
Office hours: GMT: Mon-Thurs: 1300-1730/1900-2130 Fri: 1300-1730/1900-2100 Local Time: Mon-Thurs: 0800-1230/1400-1630 Fri: 0800-1230/1400-1600

The Governor also has periodic representation in Providenciales at:
Governor’s Office - Providenciales Hilly Ewing Building Leeward Highway Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: +1 (649) 941 8604 Fax: +1 (649) 941 6111   Please contact the Governor’s Office in Grand Turk for details of current operating hours.