Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.
\n\nYour travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:
\n\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Fiji’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Fiji set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Fiji High Commission in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Fiji.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou do not need a visa for visits of up to 4 months. If you plan to stay for longer than 4 months, apply for a visa from the Fiji Immigration Department.
\n\nAt Fiji border control, you must also show:
\n\nIf you’re visiting Fiji on business, you must apply for a business visitors permit, which is valid for 21 days.
\n\nYachts can only enter Fiji through Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka. For other ports, such as Nadi and Denarau, you must have prior agreement from the Fijian authorities.
\n\nIf you are entering Fiji on a work or residency permit, and are travelling as a lone parent, you may need to have evidence of your parental responsibility. For further information contact the Fiji High Commission in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Fiji, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Fiji guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Fiji. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nFiji customs has strict quarantine regulations and customs officers X-ray all luggage arriving at Nadi airport. They will confiscate most fresh foodstuffs, unless you’re arriving from a country with quarantine agreements with Fiji.
\n\nDeclare cash in any currency worth 10,000 Fijian dollars or more. If you are found with undeclared cash, you could be prosecuted and get a fine or a prison sentence.
\n\nMost tourist hotels and many restaurants accept credit cards. Not all ATMs accept the full range of bank or credit cards. The Australian and New Zealand Bank (ANZ) and Westpac ATMs accept cards with the Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus symbols.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Fiji, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nProtests can occur with little warning. Avoid demonstrations, rallies or street gatherings. Avoid any areas of obvious military or police activity.
\n\nThe risk of serious crime is generally low, but there are occasional incidents including sexual assault.
\n\nBe careful of your belongings in cities and other popular tourist destinations. To reduce the risk:
\n\nTake additional care when walking at night in cities, towns and isolated areas, particularly if you are a woman travelling alone. There have been serious sexual assaults against foreign nationals in Fiji, including British women.
\n\nSee advice for women travelling abroad.
\n\nThere has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world.
\n\nEven small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Drink Spiking and Methanol Poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks.
\n\nSeek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.
\n\nBe alert to the risk of credit card fraud. This may include credit card skimming devices or other types of data theft. Take care when paying with credit cards or withdrawing money from ATMs.
\n\nPhone coverage in rural areas and outlying islands can be limited or non-existent. Many UK mobile phones do not work, as your provider may not have an international roaming agreement in Fiji.
\n\nYou can buy a Fiji SIM card at Nadi International Airport and at convenience stores and supermarkets. You must register your SIM card if you buy it locally.
\n\nPossession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to imprisonment and a large fine. Possession of any amount of marijuana carries a 3-month prison sentence.
\n\nKava is a traditional drink in Fiji used in kava ceremonies. If you’re invited to take part in a kava-drinking ceremony, be aware of the potential risks of liver toxicity.
\n\nTopless bathing and nudity in public is illegal. Cover your shoulders and knees in rural villages and during kava ceremonies.
\n\nHomosexuality was decriminalised in February 2010, but there can be local sensitivities, particularly when visiting rural communities.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nThere are dangerous rip tides along reefs and river estuaries. Unless you have reliable local knowledge, swim from beaches that have lifeguards on duty and follow the flag warning system.
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nIf you take part in any water activities, make sure you use a reputable, fully licensed company with up-to-date equipment and necessary safety features.
\n\nSee watersports safety advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA).
\n\nDiving schools may have limited resources and do not always observe safety and maintenance standards. Always:
\n\nask to see a dive operator’s credentials and use schools with appropriate qualifications and credentials
\ncheck the conditions on your insurance policy – some policies require dive instructors to have certain qualifications
\nmake sure safety equipment is in good condition
\nmake sure oxygen is available on the boat
\nMake sure you know what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea.
\n\nThere’s only one hyperbaric (recompression) chamber in Fiji, at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva. It is not always working. Check its status before scuba diving and get advice from your dive instructor or dive team. Make sure your insurance covers diving and medical evacuation costs.
\n\nBe aware of jellyfish and follow local advice.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Fiji, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK driving licence to drive in Fiji.
\n\nMany roads in Fiji are in poor condition and can be dangerous. Roads are particularly hazardous at night due to a lack of street lighting and the chance of pedestrians or stray animals on the road. Avoid road travel outside of urban areas at night. Vehicle safety regulations are rarely enforced and driving standards are poor.
\n\nSevere weather can lead to roads becoming damaged, blocked or washed away. Seek local advice before you set out.
\n\nOnly use licensed taxis that have a yellow registration plate.
\n\nNot all minibuses are licensed. Only use those with yellow number plates. Unlicensed minibuses are frequently not insured.
\n\nCheck the boat operator’s credentials and safety equipment before boarding boats or vessels travelling between islands. Avoid any vessels that are overloaded as they are in danger of capsizing or sinking, particularly in poor weather conditions. Check to make sure there is adequate life-saving equipment for everyone on board in case of emergencies.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nFiji is in an earthquake zone. There can be occasional tremors, which could trigger tsunami alerts. Make sure you understand the local safety procedures for earthquakes and tsunamis.
\n\nThe US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake or tsunami.
\n\nTropical cyclone season normally runs from November to April, but cyclones occur throughout the year. During the cyclone season there is a greater risk of strong winds and heavy rain. Cyclones can cause flooding and landslides, often damaging or blocking roads and resulting in road closures.
\n\nFollow weather updates from Fiji Meteorological Service, local newspapers and Radio Fiji GOLD. The National Disaster Management Office has information on how to prepare.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 911 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Fiji including:
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Fiji where some staff will speak English.
\n\nHealthcare facilities are limited in range and availability. In serious medical emergencies, people are often evacuated to another country for treatment.
\n\nThere is no reciprocal healthcare agreement between the UK and Fiji. Hospitals usually ask for immediate cash payment for health services.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nFire: 910
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n