Travel Summary
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There have been confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) -Swine Flu in Fiji. 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. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. Travellers are also advised to check for updates on the High Commission website at www.ukinfiji.fco.gov.uk and the Fijian Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.fj before travelling. There is a dedicated Swine Flu link on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk.
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Almost 35,000 British nationals visit Fiji every year. Most visits to Fiji are trouble–free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Fiji each year if for replacing lost or stolen passports.
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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.
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A military coup took place in Fiji in December 2006. On 10 April 2009, the Fiji Court of Appeal ruled the interim government unlawful and urged the creation of a new interim government. Travellers should exercise caution and are advised to monitor the local situation for developments. You should avoid all political rallies and avoid openly discussing political issues. See the Political Situation section of this advice.
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The penalty for possession of any amount of marijuana is a mandatory prison sentence.
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There is a low threat from terrorism in Fiji. 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.
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Tropical cyclones can occur in Fiji from the beginning of November until the end of April. Following widespread flooding in Northern and Western Divisions of Fiji in January 2009, driving conditions on major roads in flood affected areas remain poor. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
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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 in Fiji. 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. For further information see Terrorism Abroad.
The level of serious crime is low, but incidents of petty theft are fairly common. You should not leave your belongings unattended and should use hotel safes for passports and valuables.
Women travelling on their own should exercise caution to help ensure their personal security.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Nighttime driving outside built-up areas should be avoided. Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced and traffic violations occur routinely. When taking a taxi make sure you are using a licensed taxi, denoted by a yellow registration plate.
When taking a taxi make sure you are using a licensed taxi, denoted by a yellow registration plate.
You should be aware that not all minibuses currently operating in Fiji are licensed by the LTA. As with taxis, those with yellow number plates have been approved by the LTA. Unlicensed minibuses will probably not be insured.
For further information see Driving Abroad.
Local laws and customs
You may be invited to participate in the local ceremony of drinking kava. You should be aware of the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency advice on the effects that this can have on the consumer's health: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/index.htm.
Fijians are by nature modest people. Topless bathing and nudity in public is forbidden.
Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware that, despite examples of men cross-dressing and behaving in a feminine manner within the traditional Pacific culture, homosexual acts in Fiji are illegal. Whilst the 1997 Constitution provides for sexual freedom and equality, primary legislation still exists which prohibits homosexual acts, even in private. The maximum sentence for such offences is five years.
In the outer islands the mobile phone network coverage is patchy. Contact with family and friends may be affected.
Entry requirements
A visa is required for visits of longer than 4 months. Applications for visas can be made at the Fiji High Commission in London.
Those entering Fiji by boat are subject to the same visa requirements as those travelling to Fiji by plane. Yachts can only enter through Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka.
Passport validity
All passports must be valid for a minimum period of six months upon arrival.
Importing meat or dairy products
Fiji customs enforce strict quarantine regulations and x-ray all in-bound luggage at Nadi airport. Most perishable foodstuffs will be confiscated on arrival, unless arriving from a country with quarantine agreements with Fiji.
Importing or exporting currency
Visitors and residents are required to declare currency amounts in excess of FJ10,000 (£3,400 approx).
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.
In the case of Fiji, no such documentation is required for visitors. But it is required for those applying for work and/or residency permits. For further information contact the Fiji High Commission in London.
Health
Health care facilities are adequate for routine medical treatment, but are limited in range and availability. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. In the event of a medical emergency, evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii is likely to be the only option for treatment, and you should ensure that your insurance policy covers this.
In July 2009 an outbreak of brucellosis was confirmed in the Wainivesi dairy farming area near Suva. Public are advised to avoid any unnecessary visits to the area and use only pasteurised milk.
Dengue occurs in Fiji. 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 Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.
Outbreaks of typhoid fever and other diarrhoeal illnesses can occur in Fiji. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Fiji you should seek immediate medical attention.
Leptospirosis can also occur in Fiji, caused by exposure to several types of the Leptospira bacteria, which can be found in fresh water contaminated by animal urine. The recent flooding has resulted in an increased risk of Leptospirosis.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Fiji 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.
Swine Flu
There have been confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) -Swine Flu in Fiji. 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. You should monitor media reports for any developments and advice. Travellers are also advised to check for updates on the High Commission website at www.ukinfiji.fco.gov.uk and the Fijian Ministry of Health at www.health.gov.fj before travelling. There is a dedicated Swine Flu link on this website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk.
Natural disasters
Earthquakes
Fiji is in an earthquake zone and suffers from tremors time to time.
On 19 March Fiji was affected by an earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, which occurred in the Tonga Island region.
These events can be disorientating and disturbing, and they can trigger tsunami alerts. For more information on earthquakes and their effects, please visit http://www.earthquake.usgs.gov
Cyclones
The cyclone season in Fiji normally runs from November to April. Flooding and disruption to services may occur. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation. You can also access http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates. Please also see Tropical Cyclones for more detailed information about what to do if you are caught up in a cyclone.
General
You should take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance covering all eventualities, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance, before you travel, particularly if you plan to engage in adventure sports. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance for more details.
Mobile phones
The mobile phone network generally works well in cities and large towns but coverage on the edge of build-up areas, in rural areas and on the many outlying islands can be very limited or non-existent. You can use your UK mobile phone in Fiji if global roaming has been activated, but making and receiving calls can be expensive. Many UK mobile phones will not work in Fiji, as your mobile phone provider may not have an international roaming agreement with Fiji's mobile phone providers, Vodafone and Digicel. Many visitors prefer to buy a Fiji SIM card on arrival. These are relatively cheap to buy and calls, both local and international usually cost less than using a UK SIM card.
Consular assistance in Fiji
The British High Commission is located in Suva, around 200kms from the main holiday resort areas in the west. There may thus be some delay in rendering assistance to those who encounter problems in the west, given the distance involved, time taken to reach the west from Suva and the difficulties with travel on the Suva to Nadi road after dark.
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.
Replacing your passport
If you need a new passport, application forms can be downloaded from the Internet. The British High Commission in Suva does not issue passports, but applications for a new passport should be submitted to the High Commission for processing. Where possible, you are advised to apply at least two months before your passport is due to expire. Please note that you can apply up to nine months before your current passport expires. Any remaining period of validity will be credited to your replacement passport. You will be allowed to retain your old passport while waiting for the replacement to be processed and returned.
We advise you to keep a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport, to avoid any complications.
Where necessary the High Commission can issue an Emergency Passport or a Temporary Passport. Emergency Passports are not machine readable, and are valid only for a single journey back to the UK using agreed transit points, or to Commonwealth countries, provided a prior arrangement exists with the authorities of the Commonwealth country concerned. Temporary Passports are machine readable and valid for one year.
Money
