Fiji
Country Specific Information
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January 13, 2012

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Fiji is a South Pacific island nation with over 350 islands and islets, approximately 100 of which are inhabited. The capital of Fiji is Suva. Once a leader of Pacific democracies, Fiji has been under military rule since 2006.  Since the government's abrogation of Fiji's Constitution in April 2009, the government has ruled by decree and enforced Public Emergency Regulations that limit basic freedoms. Please visit the Department of State's Background Notes on Fiji for additional information.

Tourism is a major industry in Fiji, and a full range of services are available. The Fiji Visitors Bureau has a wide range of information for travelers and that can be accessed by visiting the Fiji Visitors Bureau's website. 

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Fiji, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here's the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

U.S. Embassy
158 Princes Road, Suva, Fiji
Telephone: (679) 331-4466
Emergency after-hours telephone: (679) 772-8049
Facsimile: (679) 330-2267 

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: To enter Fiji, you will need a passport valid for at least three months after your scheduled departure date from Fiji. You will also need proof that you have enough money to travel and that you have an onward or return ticket. You do not need a visa if you are a tourist staying less than four months. If you are traveling to the Lau group of islands by yacht, you need special permission from your first port of entry into Fiji. For more information on entry/exit requirements, you can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji at 2000 M Street NW, Suite 710, Washington DC 20036, by phone at (202) 466-8320 and fax at (202) 466-8325. You can also contact the Fiji Mission to the United Nations in New York. If you are entering Fiji by boat, please pay special attention to the important requirements for access into Fiji. Visit the Embassy of Fiji website for the most current visa information.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Fiji. There may be travel restrictions for people applying for visa work permits if they have HIV/AIDS. Once medical clearance is obtained, the work permit committee will decide on a case-by-case basis whether or not to approve the permit.

H1N1 Influenza Screening: Although international passengers are not currently being screened for influenza, Fiji has a standby process to screen for possible cases of the H1N1 influenza known as 'Swine Flu.' The Ministry of Health monitors H1N1 cases in Fiji. If the Ministry detects an H1N1 problem, international passengers arriving by air who show flu-like symptoms may be separated from the public and evaluated. Those infected with the H1N1 influenza receive treatment as required. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Fiji before you travel. 

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: The Department of State advises U.S. Citizens to exercise caution when traveling to or within Fiji. The political situation is unpredictable, and the rule of law has deteriorated since the December 2006 military coup. The independence of the judicial system is compromised and basic freedoms are limited. The Government of Fiji rules by decree, maintaining Public Emergency Regulations that limit freedom of speech, freedom of the media, and freedom of assembly. Additionally, the U.S. Embassy has noted growing anti-U.S rhetoric in the government-controlled media.

U.S. Citizens in Fiji should remain cautious and alert in public places and near military activities in the greater Suva area. You should avoid demonstrations and large crowds, remembering that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent unexpectedly. 

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CRIME: Urban areas experience a higher incidence of crime when compared with rural areas. You should always protect your valuables and be aware that theft from hotel rooms and purse snatching or pick pocketing is the most common crimes against tourists. Be attentive of your personal safety and be cautious about sharing too much personal information about where you are from and where you are staying while traveling. If you are not familiar with the area, ask hotel staff about areas to avoid. You should not walk alone after dark and always be sure to avoid isolated and deserted areas. Since there is crime directed at taxi drivers, do not allow taxis to pick up other passengers while you are en route. Similarly, you should not enter a taxi already carrying other passengers.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law. 

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we cancontact family members or friend.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the "911" emergency line in Fiji is also "911."

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Fiji, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. You should carry photo identification with you at all times. If you are suspected of being involved in criminal activities, you will be taken in for questioning and will be asked for identification. Respect any sites that for cultural or security reasons have warnings posted against photography. Fiji enforces driving under the influence of alcohol laws, and offenders may be taken to jail. If you are stopped and found of driving under the influence of alcohol, you will be taken in for further tests at the police station. If the second test is affirmative, you will be locked up in a prison cell to sober up, typically overnight, and then you will be charged the following morning. If you do not have a permanent address in Fiji, the local police will keep you in custody and will arrange for a special court hearing with a Magistrate. These hearings take place generally during weekends and holidays. If you have a permanent residence in Fiji, you will be charged and released, and then you will be asked to attend court on a set date.

Criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Fiji, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. 

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Accessibility: While in Fiji, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Under the constitution abrogated in April 2009, 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. Since the constitution's abrogation, no new decree has addressed specifically the rights of persons with disabilities; however, existing statutes provide for the right of access to places and all modes of transport generally open to the public. Public health regulations provide penalties for noncompliance; however, there is very little enabling legislation on accessibility for persons with disabilities, and there is little or no enforcement of laws protecting them.

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 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.

Water Sports: Many visitors to Fiji participate in water sports, including surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and operating jet-skis. Surfing on Fiji's numerous reef breaks can be highly dangerous. If you scuba dive or snorkel while in Fiji, please be sure to check the references, licenses, and equipment of tour operators before agreeing to or paying for a tour. Only rent equipment from trustworthy operators and ensure you receive training before using the equipment. Some rental diving equipment may not be properly maintained or inspected. Local dive masters may not consider your skill level when they organize the trip. Deaths and serious accidents have occurred in the past since basic safety measures were not taken during diving and snorkeling trips. Remember that safety precautions and emergency responses may not be similar to U.S. standards. Fiji has only one decompression chamber to provide medical assistance for dive related injuries. The chamber is located in Suva, which is far from most resorts. Please note that the chamber is not always fully functioning.

Trekking: Terrain in the Fiji islands can be hazardous. You should speak with local guides and/or hotel staff before starting a trek. It is best to hike with a companion and stay on trails that are clearly marked.

Customs: There may be strict regulations and customs enforcement for importing and exporting items such as alcohol and tobacco products in Fiji. You should contact the Embassy of Fiji in Washington, DC, at (202) 466-8320 for specific information regarding customs requirements. Bringing animals into Fiji is strictly controlled. Pets may be imported only from certain designated, rabies-free areas. If you want to bring a pet into Fiji, contact the Ministry of Agriculture in Suva about six months in advance to find out the details. Also, please see the Customs Information sheet for additional information.

Purchase of Real Estate: Purchasing real estate in Fiji can be risky. Be cautious before you enter into commitments to invest in property. You should gather reliable information and hire experienced Fijian legal counsel regarding any real estate investment. Fijian law and practices about real estate differ substantially from those in the United States.

Notification of Arrest: You should carry a copy of your U.S. passport at all times. If questioned by local authorities, you will need to show proof of identity and U.S. citizenship. According to Fijian law, a person detained for criminal actions may be held for a maximum of 48 hours before being charged. Police authorities should contact the U.S. Embassy if there is a detention or arrest of a U.S. citizen within 24 hours of the incident. Nevertheless, if you are detained you should request that a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Suva be notified.

Natural Disasters: Fiji is located in an area of high seismic activity. Although the probability of a major earthquake occurring during your trip is rare, please remember that earthquakes can and do occur. Undersea earthquakes in the South Pacific can generate destructive tsunamis. Fiji does not have a siren warning system in place; instead, tsunami warnings are transmitted through local radio and television stations. Most coastal resorts and hotels have tsunami evacuation plans in place, and guests should carefully follow staff instructions in the event of a tsunami warning. 

Cyclones: The cyclone season is November through April. The Fiji Meteorological Service maintains a Tropical Cyclone Warning Center in Nadi serving the Southwest Pacific Region.  General information regarding disaster preparedness is available by visiting the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) home page.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Health-care facilities in Fiji's urban areas are adequate for routine medical problems. In the rural areas, staff training is limited and there are often shortages of supplies and medications. Emergency response is extremely limited. Ambulance availability is minimal, and ambulances are often poorly equipped and staffed. Two major hospitals, the Lautoka Hospital in the western city of Lautoka and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, provide limited emergency and outpatient services. A recompression chamber at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva can treat decompression sickness (See also Special Circumstances, Water Sports). A private hospital in Suva provides Western-style medical care, and other hospitals and clinics provide only a limited range of health services. Medical emergencies may be evacuated to Australia, New Zealand, or the United States. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States or elsewhere can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Dengue fever, carried by infected mosquitoes, occurs throughout the country of Fiji, especially during the rainy season. For more information about dengue fever, see the CDC website mentioned below.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Fiji, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. 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, driving after dark requires heightened attentiveness. Outside of the city, it is discouraged to drive after dark except in emergency or exceptional circumstances. Stray animals, unwary pedestrians, and potholes make driving dangerous and particularly hazardous at night.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 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 safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see the Office of Children's Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Fiji dated January 5, 2011, to update sections on Country Description, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program/Embassy Location, Entry/Exit Requirements for U.S. Citizens, Threats to Safety and Security, Crime, Victims of Crime, Criminal Penalties, Special Circumstances, Medical Facilities and Health Information, and Medical Insurance.

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