Marshall Island travel advice

Travel Summary

• 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.
  
  
• There is no British consular representation in the Marshall Islands. Consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Manila, the Philippines. However, the British Honorary Consular Agent can be contacted in an emergency. Please see the General section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• Only a handful of British tourists visit the Marshall Islands every year. Most visits to the Marshall Islands are trouble-free. We are not aware of any British nationals who have required consular assistance in the Marshall Islands in 2007.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism in the Marshall Islands. 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.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your travel policy covers you for 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 travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Political Situation

Marshall Islands Country Profile

Sea Safety

You are advised to wear the appropriate safety equipment before engaging in water sports and take local advice on safety at all times when engaging in diving, snorkelling or other adventure sports.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety.

Local laws and customs

There are heavy penalties for all drug offences.

Homosexuality is technically illegal in many Pacific countries, and the laws are occasionally enforced. Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend local inhabitants.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

Visas are not required for British nationals visiting for periods up to 30 days. These may be extended twice, for a maximum stay of 90 days and each extension costs approximately US$10. But they do take time to arrange and you are advised to consult the Marshall Islands Visitors Authority (MIVA) in advance of travel if you are likely to seek an extension of stay. Contact details are: MIVA, PO Box 5, MH96960; tel: +692 625 6482; fax: +692 625 6771; E-mail: tourism@ntamar.com.

Passport validity

Passports must be valid for a minimum of six months on arrival.

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 on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact MIVA, PO Box 5, MH96960; tel: +692 625 6482; fax: +692 625 6771; E-mail: tourism@ntamar.com.

Health

Medical facilities are generally adequate for routine medical procedures in the Marshall Islands. For more serious or complicated problems, medical evacuation to Honolulu may be required.

Dengue occurs in the Marshall Islands. Dengue is transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccination against dengue but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Health and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see the HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to the Marshall 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)or NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see the Travel Health. For food/drink hygiene see East and Drink Safely.

General

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance, particularly if you plan to engage in adventure sports. See Travel Insurance for more details.

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

Consular Representation

There is no British consular representation in the Marshall Islands. Consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Manila, the Philippines (please see Contact Details below). However, Mr Ian Pickering is the interim Honorary Consular Agent and can be contacted on on 692-625-7093/7092. Home phone is 692-247-4041 (692) 625 3828. If you intend to stay in the Marshall Islands for an extended period, you should register with the British Embassy in Manila upon arrival.

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.

Replacing your passport

If you require a new passport, application forms can be downloaded from the Internet. You should send your completed passport application form by courier to the British Embassy in Manila. You should ensure that payment is made by remittance in Philippine Pesos via Western Union to the British Embassy (please contact the British Embassy for exact details before submitting your application). Where possible, you are advised to apply at least two months before your passport is due to expire. You will be allowed to retain your old passport whilst waiting for the replacement to be issued and returned.

We strongly advise you to keep a photocopy of the4 relevant pages of your passport, to avoid any complications.