There is no British Embassy in New Caledonia and the British Embassy in Paris, France supports British nationals who need emergency help from the UK government.
\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\nFCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance"},{"body":"This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of New Caledonia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nNew Caledonia is an Overseas Territory of France (‘Territoire d’Outre-Mer’). The authorities in New Caledonia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the French Consulate General in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Caledonia and have at least 2 blank pages.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit New Caledonia without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business. To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, check the visa application process and timelines on the French visa website.
\n\nCarry your residence document, as well as your passport, when entering or exiting New Caledonia. If you’ve applied but not yet received your document, carry your certificate of application. You will have received this as an email.
\n\nYou 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 New Caledonia guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of New Caledonia (in French). You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nCheck what cash and valuables you need to declare to bring them into New Caledonia.
\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 is no recent history of terrorism in New Caledonia, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nSignificant unrest took place in New Caledonia in 2024, including protests and blockades, some of which turned violent. Tensions have now decreased but protests, demonstrations or political gatherings can take place with little or no warning.
\n\nRemain aware of what is happening around you and follow the advice of the police and the local authorities. Certain roads may have an increased risk of protests taking place on them, such as routes to the airport and other roads where protestors had previously attempted to block movement around the island. These roads include:
\n\nThere are still limits in place for buying, transporting, and using weapons, alcohol and fuel. Public gatherings have also been restricted.
\n\nFurther restrictions and curfews may be imposed or amended at short notice. The latest updates can be found here: French High Commission in New Caledonia.
\n\nCrime levels are low in New Caledonia. However, petty theft and street crime do happen.
\n\nTo reduce the risk to yourself and your belongings:
\n\nSee water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nDiving schools may have limited resources and do not always observe safety and maintenance standards. Always:
\n\nIf you have not had any previous diving experience, check what to do if something goes wrong, including how to call for help while at sea.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in New Caledonia, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou’ll need to have both the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nDrink-driving is a serious offence in New Caledonia. If you are tested and found to have more than two-thirds of the legal limit for England and Wales in your system, you may get a fine and possible imprisonment.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nTropical cyclones are a risk in New Caledonia, particularly from mid-December to mid-March. Check local forecasts and updates from the World Meteorological Organization. Monitor these updates and follow any advice issued by the local authorities.
\n\n","slug":"travel-advice-safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security "},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nyour destination can provide the healthcare you may need
\nyou have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 15, 17 or 256767 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 New Caledonia, 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\nGeneral healthcare facilities in New Caledonia are good for uncomplicated treatment, but more serious cases may need evacuation to Australia or France. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nIf you plan to live in New Caledonia, consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system.
\n\nDWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline: +44 (0)191 218 1999
\n\nYou can also get English-language information about French social security services online or on +33 (0)820 90 42 12. You can get French-language information online about state services in New Caledonia.
\n\nThe European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) do not provide health cover for you if you go to New Caledonia to visit or to live.
\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\nAmbulance: 15
\n\nFire: 18
\n\nPolice: 17
\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\n\n","slug":"getting-help","title":"Getting help"}],"reviewed_at":"2025-12-10T13:19:36Z","updated_at":"2025-12-10T13:19:36Z"},"document_type":"travel_advice","first_published_at":"2012-12-04T00:00:00+00:00","links":{"available_translations":[{"api_path":"/api/content/foreign-travel-advice/new-caledonia","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/foreign-travel-advice/new-caledonia","base_path":"/foreign-travel-advice/new-caledonia","content_id":"a6b88bf7-e78f-4c0e-9de6-e291ee8a5305","document_type":"travel_advice","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2025-12-10T13:19:36Z","schema_name":"travel_advice","title":"New Caledonia travel advice","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/new-caledonia","withdrawn":false}],"ordered_related_items":[{"api_path":"/api/content/guidance/about-foreign-commonwealth-development-office-travel-advice","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/guidance/about-foreign-commonwealth-development-office-travel-advice","base_path":"/guidance/about-foreign-commonwealth-development-office-travel-advice","content_id":"dd34d3a4-56bd-4cf5-b821-d76f9d997153","document_type":"detailed_guide","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2025-09-24T10:41:27Z","schema_name":"detailed_guide","title":"About Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/guidance/about-foreign-commonwealth-development-office-travel-advice","withdrawn":false},{"api_path":"/api/content/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad","base_path":"/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad","content_id":"aad65646-964d-4f68-ac22-5bc6c8281336","document_type":"document_collection","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2022-08-30T23:00:00Z","schema_name":"document_collection","title":"Support for British nationals abroad","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad","withdrawn":false},{"api_path":"/api/content/guidance/foreign-travel-checklist","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/guidance/foreign-travel-checklist","base_path":"/guidance/foreign-travel-checklist","content_id":"5d8baf93-7631-11e4-a3cb-005056011aef","document_type":"detailed_guide","links":{},"locale":"en","public_updated_at":"2026-06-05T15:27:25Z","schema_name":"detailed_guide","title":"Foreign travel checklist","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-checklist","withdrawn":false},{"api_path":"/api/content/world/new-caledonia","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/world/new-caledonia","base_path":"/world/new-caledonia","content_id":"f73fb1e9-da12-4f84-8d24-8a5286ed4608","description":"Services if you're visiting, studying, working or living in New Caledonia. Includes information about trading with and doing business in the UK and New Caledonia.","details":{"internal_name":"UK help and services in New Caledonia","notes_for_editors":"","visible_to_departmental_editors":false},"document_type":"taxon","links":{},"locale":"en","phase":"live","public_updated_at":"2018-02-13T09:38:08Z","schema_name":"taxon","title":"UK help and services in New Caledonia","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/world/new-caledonia","withdrawn":false}],"organisations":[{"analytics_identifier":"D1315","api_path":"/api/content/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office","api_url":"https://www.gov.uk/api/content/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office","base_path":"/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office","content_id":"f9fcf3fe-2751-4dca-97ca-becaeceb4b26","details":{"acronym":"FCDO","brand":"foreign-commonwealth-development-office","default_news_image":{"high_resolution_url":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de4e90e0710be0354d7/s960_fcdo-main-building.jpg","url":"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/621e4de48fa8f5490aff83b4/s300_fcdo-main-building.jpg"},"logo":{"crest":"single-identity","formatted_title":"Foreign, Commonwealth