Mayotte travel advice

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Health section (removal of reference to Swine Flu). The overall level of the advice has not changed; there are currently no restrictions in place in Mayotte.

Travel Summary

• Mayotte is a French Overseas Territory. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation. See the General section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• Most visits to Mayotte are trouble-free. There were no requests for consular assistance in 2009. Although the risk from crime is also low, it does exist and you should take precautions.
  
  
• 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 those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• The cyclone season in Mayotte normally runs from December to April. See the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Mayotte. See General (Insurance) section and Travel Insurance of this Travel Advice.

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 areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Local laws and customs

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.

Entry requirements

Visas

Mayotte is a Territorial Collective (Collectivité Territoriale d’Outre-mer) of 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 Mayotte. 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.

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 the French Embassy in London.

Health

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not provide any health cover in Mayotte.

Chikungunya is a common problem, particularly in the warmer months (October-May).

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 Mayotte 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

The cyclone season in Mayotte normally runs from December to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation and International Cyclone Centre.

For further information see Tropical cyclones.

General

Insurance

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. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

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.
  

Representation in Mayotte

There is no resident British Diplomatic Mission in Mayotte. Routine consular matters are covered by the British Embassy in Paris.

In case of real emergency (death or serious accident), the British High Commission in Port Louis, Mauritius, may be able to provide limited assistance;

British High Commission
Les Cascades Building, ,
Edith Cavell Street,
Port Louise, PO Box 1063
Tel: (230) 202 9400
Fax: (230) 202 9407