Fiji

U.S. Embassy Suva

158 Princes Rd, Tamavua
Suva, Fiji Islands
Telephone: +(679) 331-4466
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(679) 772-8049
Fax: +(679) 330-2267
Email: SuvaACS@state.gov

To enter Fiji, you will need:

• A passport valid for at least six months after your scheduled departure date from Fiji
• Proof that you have sufficient funds for your stay in Fiji
• Onward or return ticket

You do not need a visa if you are a tourist staying less than four months.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Fiji. There are no restrictions to long-term or short-term visits, and no HIV tests are required for a visit shorter than four months. A medical clearance is required for those seeking a work permit in Fiji. Once medical clearance is obtained, the work permit committee will decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not to approve the permit. Please verify this information with the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji before you travel.

Visit the Embassy of Fiji website for the most current visa information.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Crime: Remain cautious and alert in public places. Urban areas experience a higher incidence of crime than rural areas. Most crime is opportunistic. If you are not familiar with an area, ask hotel staff about areas to avoid.

• You should always protect your valuables and be aware that theft from hotel rooms, purse snatching, and pick pocketing are the most common crimes against tourists.
• Several assaults and robberies have occurred in the bar and nightclub district of downtown Suva as well as on Victoria Parade street. Consider taking door-to-door transportation.
• Be attentive to your personal safety and be cautious about sharing too much personal information about where you are from and where you are staying while traveling.
• Reports of sexual assault against female tourists have increased. You should not walk alone after dark and always be sure to avoid isolated and deserted areas.
• Since some crime takes place in taxis, do not allow taxis to pick up other passengers while you are enroute. Similarly, you should not enter a taxi already carrying other passengers.
• Although demonstrations are not common in Fiji, you should avoid marches and large crowds, remembering that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly.

International Financial Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance at + (679) 331-4466, or after hours at +(679) 772-8049.

Report crimes to the local police at 911 and contact the U.S. Embassy at + (679) 331-4466, or after hours at +(679) 772-8049. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Advisories, and Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Disaster preparedness:

• Fiji is located in an area of high seismic activity called the “Ring of Fire” and is subject to earthquakes which can trigger a tsunami.
• The rainy (or monsoon) season in the South Pacific is from November to April, when strong winds, heavy rains, landslides, and disruptions to services could occur.
• For information about tropical cyclone preparedness, visit our Natural Disaster webpages, and NOAA's Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
• For information about all types of natural disasters, visit the CDC webpages.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: The constitution provides that sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity and expression are prohibited grounds for discrimination; however, the right to equality and nondiscrimination may be limited for individuals pursuing adoption, marriage, devolution of property on death and pension, and holding public office.

Fijian law does not criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity and recognizes male-on-male rape as a crime.

Fiji law prohibits discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation; there are no laws specifically prohibiting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons in other areas.

In general attitudes toward LGBTI individuals have become more accepting, especially among the young, and articles promoting tolerance are regularly found in the media.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance. All persons are considered equal under the law, and discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment, education, provision of housing and land, or provision of other state services is illegal. Statutes provide for the right of access to places and all modes of transport are open to the public. Public health regulations include penalties for noncompliance; however, there is little or no enforcement of laws protecting persons with disabilities.

Building regulations require new public buildings to be accessible to persons with disabilities, but only a few existing buildings meet this requirement. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, all new office spaces must be accessible to persons with disabilities. The number of disabled-accessible vehicles in the country is small.

There are some special schools for persons with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities, but cost and location limit access. Opportunities for a secondary school education for those with disabilities are very limited.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

For emergency services in Fiji dial 911 or 910.

Ambulance services are not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. They are often not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Health facilities are available in major cities, but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
• Public medical clinics sometimes lack basic resources and supplies.
• Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission. Most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
• Hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions

Pharmaceuticals:

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States. Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States. Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.

Adventure Travel:

• Scuba divers should be aware that Fiji’s hyperbaric chamber is currently not in service, and the nearest chambers are in New Zealand and Australia.
• While Fiji is continues work to bring a new chamber online, divers should consider insurance that covers both decompression treatment and, if needed, medical evacuation to a third country.
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel.

General Health Language

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Dengue
• Chikungunya
• Typhoid
• Measles

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Fiji.

Road Conditions and Safety: Traffic moves on the left in Fiji. While most roads in urban areas are paved, they are poorly maintained. Roads outside the city are usually not paved. In the city, be especially attentive when driving after dark. Outside of the city, it is best to avoid driving after dark except in emergency or exceptional circumstances. Insufficient lighting, stray animals, and potholes make driving dangerous and particularly hazardous at night.

Traffic Laws: Driving while intoxicated is illegal in Fiji. Use of a mobile phone while driving is illegal. Bicycle riders should be cautious as there is no separate lane for cyclists.

Public Transportation: Avoid using minivans and public buses for public transportation, due to safety concerns. There have been multiple recent reports of public buses catching fire or having severe accidents.

See our Road Safety page for more information

Visit the website of Fiji’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Fiji’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Fiji’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Fiji should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings.