North and Central America and Caribbean
Turks & Caicos Islands (British Overseas Territory)
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Still current at: 05 July 2009
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Updated: 11 June 2009
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an 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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On 7 September 2008 the Turks and Caicos Islands sustained severe damage from Hurricane Ike. While Grand Turk and South Caicos were badly hit, other islands fared better. The situation continues to improve on the islands of Grand Turk and South Caicos, although electricity and land line telephone services have still to be restored to some parts of these islands.
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The hurricane season in Turks & Caicos normally runs from June to November. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.
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The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the local authorities deal with all requests for consular assistance. See the General (Consular assistance) section of this travel advice for more details.
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Most visits to the Turks and Caicos Islands are trouble-free. But you should nonetheless take sensible precautions against petty crime.
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Possession of drugs is illegal.
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British passport holders do not require visas to enter Turks and Caicos Islands. For visa enquiries, non-British passport holders should contact (NB: Neither of these numbers are answered when called. I suggest that we replace this with: their nearest British Embassy for advice or contact the TCI Immigration Department on +1 649 946 2801). See the Entry Requirements 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 areas, including places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
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We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. 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
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. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
The overall crime rate in the Turks and Caicos Islands remains low. The level of crime on Providenciales the first point of arrival into the Turks and Caicos Islands for mot visitors and the country's territory's and 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 incidents of more serious robberies have been reported recently. There have also been some reports of armed robbery. Victims of robberies may suffer injuries if they resist.
Whilst the overall crime rate across the islands remains low, 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.
Political Situation
Turks & Caicos Islands Country Profile
In February 2007, the Progressive National Party (PNP) was returned to power for a second term. Evidence of possible corruption and dishonesty revealed during investigations and public hearings held by a Commission of Inquiry, appointed by the Governor in July 2008, has led the UK Government to prepare an Order in Council which would suspend parts of the Turks and Caicos Island’s Constitution, including those relating to Ministerial, Government and the House of Assembly, pending a final report due before the end of May 2009. It is anticipated that suspension will only last as long as it takes to introduce the necessary reforms to restore good governance with the hope that it will be possible to hold scheduled elections in 2011.
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.
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.
Local laws and customs
Entry requirements
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 30 days. You will need a permit to work on any of the islands.
Passport Validity
You must ensure that on arrival your passport is valid for at least six months.
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.
Health
Natural disasters
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 but the recovery/rebuilding process is underway and most hotels/guest houses have re-opened.
The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation. You can also access the US National Hurricane Centre for updates. For more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a hurricane see Tropical cyclones.
Direct hits are, historically, rare. Hotel management and local radio stations will pass on government advice if a hurricane is forecast.
General
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should include suitable cover for medical evacuations. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
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.
The Governor also has periodic representation in Providenciales at:
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
