Saturday, August 29, 2009

Nauru 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 consular representation in Nauru. Consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Fiji. See the General section of this travel advice for more details.

  • Only a handful of British nationals visit Nauru each year. Most visits are trouble-free. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Nauru in 2008.

  • There is a low threat from terrorism in Nauru. 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.

  • The tropical cyclone season in Nauru normally runs from November to April. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical cyclones for more details.

  • 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. 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 in Nauru. 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.

Political Situation

Following a period of political uncertainty, stability now appears to have returned to the political scene following the re-election in April 2008 of President Marcus Stephen.

Local laws and customs

There are heavy penalties for all drug offences.

Homosexuality is technically illegal in many Pacific countries and the law is occasionally enforced. Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend some in Nauru.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

British passport holders require a visa for Nauru. This must be obtained before your arrival in Nauru.
For details on how to obtain a visa and on what exactly will be required at immigration, please contact one of the following:-

Nauru High Commission, Ratu Sukuna House, Victoria Parade, PO Box 2420, Government Buildings, Suva, Republic of Fiji; (Tel: 00 679 331 3566; Fax: 00 678 330 2861); e-mail: naurulands@connect.com.fj.

or:

Director of Immigration, Customs and Immigration, Department of Justice, Government Building, Yaren District, Republic of Nauru; (Tel: 00 674 444 3152 / 3162; Fax: 00 674 444 3832).

Alternatively Air Nauru may be able to give advice. They can be contacted on: (Tel: 00 679 331 2377).
Passport validity
In order to be issued with a visa, your passport must be valid for six months from the date of entry into the country.
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

Medical facilities in Nauru are very basic and therefore medical evacuation by air ambulance to Australia is necessary in most cases.

Dengue occurs in Nauru. 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 Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website.

Nauru is subject to periodic outbreaks of typhoid. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Nauru you should seek immediate medical attention.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to AIDS/HIV. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Nauru 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.
For more general information see Travel Health and for food/drink hygiene see Eat and Drink Safely.

Natural disasters

The tropical cyclone season in Nauru normally runs from November to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). You can also access http://www.nhc.noaa.gov for updates. See Tropical cyclones for more details.

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. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Consular representation

There is no consular representation in Nauru. Consular matters are covered by the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji (see Contact details).
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 yhou in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Passports
If you require a new passport, application forms can be downloaded from the Internet. To avoid unnecessary delays, you are advised to contact the British High Commission in Suva (Fiji) before submitting your completed passport application form to the British High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand (please see the Travel Advice: New Zealand). 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.
In event of a lost or stolen passport, the Nauru authorities can issue emergency travel documents, which will allow you to travel as far as Australia. Once in Australia, the British High Commission in Canberra will be able to issue a replacement passport within two to three weeks. If you need to travel more urgently, the British Consulate-Generals in Brisbane and Sydney will be able to issue a limited validity passport to enable you to continue your journey. There will be an additional fee for any passport service performed outside normal consular office opening hours. We strongly advise you to keep a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport to avoid any complications.

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.
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.