Asia and Oceania
New Caledonia
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Still current at: 04 July 2009
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Updated: 11 June 2009
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with a further amendment to the Summary (Swine Flu). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 strongly 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 undertak. 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.
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
Travel Advice Relevant to You.
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
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.
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 strongly 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.
There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in New Caledonia. Routine consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Paris.
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.
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Change country
contacts
France, Paris, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
BP111-08, 75383 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/
