Overall country Risk Rating: 

 

AAA - The Falklands Islands are a British Overseas Territory. Most visits to the Falkland Islands are trouble-free and there is little crime or disorder.

 

Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue, 

 

Weather

 

The weather can change rapidly and it is often possible to experience several seasons in a single day. The sun can be very strong, wear good sunglasses, a hat and high-factor sunscreen.

 

Air travel

 

You can fly between the Islands with the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) who operate four Britten Norman ‘Islander’ aircraft from Stanley airport; book directly through FIGAS or with a local tour operator. Check that your flight has been confirmed the afternoon before you are due to fly. In bad weather, check your flight is going ahead before you travel to the airport.

 

LAN Airlines of Chile operate a once weekly service to Mount Pleasant Airport from Punta Arenas in southern Chile. Onward air connections from Punta Arenas are available to Puerto Montt and Santiago de Chile, and onward from Santiago to other international destinations. Once a month this service stops in Rio Gallegos, on the southern coast of Argentina. The service will pick up passengers in Rio Gallegos on one week (usually the second Saturday of the month), and drop off passengers in Rio Gallegos the following week. Check with LAN in advance for up to date information on Chile/Falkland Islands air services.

 

The RAF operates a fare-paying service from RAF Brize Norton (via Ascension Island) to Mount Pleasant Airport twice weekly. This service can be subject to delays due to poor weather, especially during the southern hemisphere winter. Total journey time is approximately 22 hours. For further information and how to book this service visit the Falkland Islands website or contact the Falkland Islands Government Office. Carry some US dollars in case the flight is diverted to South America or North Africa.

 

Other charter aircraft from the UK occasionally operate a route to the Falkland Islands depending on demand. Genvisec can advise further.

 

Road travel

 

Four wheel drive vehicles are most commonly used. Roads in Stanley are surfaced, as is some of the 35-mile Mount Pleasant Airport to Stanley road. There are around 600 miles of unsurfaced roads on the Islands. Coach, local bus and taxi services to and from Mount Pleasant Airport are available and can be booked in advance. Taxis are available in Stanley. Speed limits are 25mph in the Stanley area and 40mph on other roads.

 

Because of the condition of most roads, and the strong winds, you should take great care when driving outside Stanley, especially on the road between Mount Pleasant Airport and Stanley. Deaths have occurred on this road and accidents are commonplace. Self-drive four-by-four vehicles are available for hire and a UK/European driving licence is sufficient. Laws on the wearing of seat belts and drink driving are strictly enforced.

 

Mines

 

Unexploded ordnance from the 1982 conflict remains on the Falkland Islands and occasionally can be found on any of the major battle fields. All mine fields have been identified, are well mapped and fenced-off. The fences are hung with red warning triangles stating ‘mines’. It is an offence, punishable by imprisonment or large fine, to enter these areas, remove, damage or obscure the signs, or cut or remove any part of the fence. Detailed maps of minefield locations are available from Genvisec.

 

Falkland Islands Government London office

 

The Falkland Islands Government maintains an office in London that can provide further information for visitors:

 

Falkland Islands Government Office

 

Falkland House

14 Broadway

Westminster

LONDON

SW1H OBH

 

Telephone: 020 7222 2542

 

Fax: 020 7222 2375

 

Email: representative@falklands.gov.fk

 

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 places, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Customs officers are on duty at all inward international flights. Drug trafficking is a serious offence and will be dealt with severely, normally with a custodial sentence.

 

Mount Pleasant Airport is a military site and photography is not permitted.

 

Entry requirements

 

Residents and other permit holders

 

On arrival in the Falkland Islands you must have a valid passport.

 

Visitors

 

On arrival in the Falkland Islands you must have:

 

a passport valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

a return air ticket (or other evidence of pre‑paid onward travel)

evidence of accommodation with family/friends/hotel/business  

sufficient funds to cover your stay in the Islands

British nationals do not need a visa to enter the Falkland Islands, but you may need a visa to transit Chile or Ascension Island. There are no facilities to issue Chilean visas on the Falkland Islands. Visitors are prohibited from taking paid employment without a work permit.

 

For further information on entry requirements, check with the Falkland Islands Government Office in London.

 

Departure tax

 

There is a £22 departure tax on leaving the Islands that is not included on LAN airline flight tickets.

 

Health

 

Contact your GP around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.

 

The general standard of healthcare in the Falkland Islands is good. The only hospital is located in Stanley and offers very modern facilities with medical, dental and nursing staff. There is no resident qualified optician. More complex treatments might require medical evacuation.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Healthcare arrangements for visiting UK residents

 

Under a reciprocal arrangement with the NHS, all UK residents are entitled to receive the treatment below free while visiting the Falkland Islands. Evidence of UK residency (NHS medical card or passport) will be required.

 

Hospital treatment

Dental treatment

Other medical treatment

Prescribed medicines

Ambulance travel

Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance cover medical air ambulance evacuation.

 

Money

 

The Falkland Island pound is fixed at a rate of one pound Sterling. Bank of England coins and notes are accepted in the Islands at full value. However, some travellers have experienced difficulties exchanging Falkland Islands’ notes at their bank on return to the UK. You should therefore limit the amount of Falkland Islands currency you carry on departure.

 

In Stanley, many of the main shops, hotels and restaurants will accept MasterCard or Visa. A small number of places accept debit cards. Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted outside Stanley. Check when making bookings and bring some cash in pounds Sterling (or US Dollars). There are no ATM cash machines on the Islands, but a cash advance facility is available at the bank using Visa or Mastercard.

 

 

 Consular Assistance:

 

The Falkland Islands Government maintains an office in London that can provide further information for visitors:

 

Falkland Islands Government Office

 

Falkland House

14 Broadway

Westminster

LONDON

SW1H OBH

 

Telephone: 020 7222 2542

 

Fax: 020 7222 2375

 

Email: representative@falklands.gov.fk

 

 

 

US citizens:

 

The United States has no embassy in the Falklands. Use the following contact:

 

3100 Massachusetts Av. NW

DC 20008

Washington

United States

 

Phone

+1-202-5886500

+1-202-5887800

+1-202-5887830

 

Fax

+1-202-5887870

+1-202-5887850

 

Email

britishembassyenquiries@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

Canadian Citizens:

 

Canadian Consulate does not exist in the Falkland islands. Contact the High Comission of Canada in London for advice:

 

Macdonald House

1 Grosvenor Square

London 

W1K 4AB

020 7258 6600

 

 

 

Norwegian Citizens:

 

Norwegian Consulate does not exist in the Falkland Islands. Contact the High Comission of Norway in London for advice:

 

Royal Norwegian Embassy 

25 Belgrave Square 

London SW1X 8QD 

 

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7591 5500

E-mail: emb.london@mfa.no

 

Embassy Opening hours

Monday - Friday 09:00 - 16:00

 

Swedish Citizens:

 

Swedish Consulate does not exist in the Falkland islands. Contact the High Comission of Sweden in London for advice.

 

11 Montagu Place

London

 

Postal address

Embassy of Sweden

11 Montagu Place

London W1H 2AL

United Kingdom

 

Phone, fax, email:

Tel: +44 20 7917 6400 

Fax: +44 20 7724 4174

E-mail: ambassaden.london@gov.se

 

Reception

Monday - Friday 9-12 noon, 2-4pm

No collection of passports from reception

 

Switchboard 

Monday - Friday 9-12:30pm, 2-4pm

Tel: 020 7917 6400

 

Passport Section

Appointments and collection only:

Mon 9-12 and 2-3, Tues 9-12, Wed 2-4, Thurs 9-12, Fri 9-12

Emergency passports:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9-11 am. Wednesday 2-3pm.

Telephone only: Tuesday, Friday 2-3pm on 020 7917 6410

We often have many callers and you might prefer to e mail your query. 

E mail:ambassaden.london-pass@gov.se

 

Visa Section

Open: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9 - 11

Telefon only: Tues, Thurs 2 - 3 pm on 020 7917 6418

Email: ambassaden.london-visum@gov.se

 

During 2014 the Embassy is closed:

18, 21 April, 5, 26 May, 6, 9, 20 June, 25 August, 24, 25, 26, 31 December.

On 17 April the Embassy will close at 3 pm.