Genvisec advises that all business and leisure travel should continue to Kiribati 

  

Road travel

 

You can hire a car using a full, clean EU driving licence. Residents should obtain a Kiribati driving licence. Road conditions are poor on Tarawa, but driving standards are reasonable. Minibuses can be dangerously overloaded at times.

 

Inter-island travel

 

It’s not always possible to travel directly from one part of Kiribati to another. If you need to get to Kiritimati (Line Islands) from Tarawa (Gilbert Islands) you have to fly via Nadi, Fiji.

 

Swimming

 

Don’t swim in the lagoon in south Tarawa as it is highly polluted. Take great care when swimming in the sea around Kiribati, as there are very strong rip tides along coast and reef areas. You should wear safety equipment at all times during boating trips. Squalls can occur at very short notice. Some people have drowned in recent years.

 

Political situation

 

The Republic of Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) is an independent republic within the Commonwealth. It is a full member of the United Nations and Pacific Islands Forum. Politics are stable. Current President, Anote Tong, was elected for his third and final term in January 2012.

 

Telecommunications

 

Internet and mobile phone services are available in some parts of Kiribati. Not all of the outer islands are connected however. Telecoms services can be unreliable and expensive due to the country’s remote location.

 

Local laws and customs

Possession or trafficking of drugs is a serious offence under the Kiribati penal code and prison sentences may be heavy.

 

Homosexual relations are illegal.

 

Local laws forbid nudity and revealing swimming costumes.

 

Kiribati operates a strict quarantine regime for the import of food, plants and animal (including fish) products. Further information on restricted or prohibited imports can be obtained from:-

 

Biosecurity Services

SPC-Plant Protection Service

Private Mail Bag

Suva, Fiji Islands.

Tel: (679) 3370 733

Fax: (679) 3370 021

Email:  pps@spc.int

 

Some local handicrafts (including straw products and shells) may be subject to strict Australian or New Zealand import regulations. Phyto-sanitary Certificates should be obtained in Kiribati, but items may nevertheless be confiscated.

 

Money

Credit cards have very limited acceptance in Kiribati. There are ATMs at branches of the Bank of Kiribati and ANZ in Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu (all on Tarawa atoll). Kiribati uses the Australian dollar.

 

Health

 

Medical facilities at the general hospital in Tarawa are modest. Elsewhere, clinics are generally staffed by nurse practitioners. Pharmaceuticals and prescription medicines are generally not available. You should bring any medicines you need for existing medical conditions with you. Medical evacuation from Kiribati is required for most non-basic medical problems. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation/evacuation by air ambulance.

 

Dengue Fever, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, occurs in Kiribati.

 

There have been several reported cases of Tuberculosis.

 

Drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Avoid eating local shellfish or lagoon fish on Tarawa.

 

There have been reports of visitors being bitten by stray dogs. Be vigilant, particularly on the beach. If you are approached by a dog, do not run. Reaching down as if to pick up something off the ground can be enough to scare dogs away. If you are bitten seek medical attention immediately.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 994 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Natural disasters

Being so close to the equator, Kiribati does not experience tropical cyclones. However, during the wet season, which normally runs from November to April, strong winds and sea swells are sometimes experienced.

 

You should monitor regional and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation, the Fiji Meteorological Service, and local newspapers.

 

Kiribati is subject to periodic spells of drought. These can be severe, and water restrictions may be put in place.

 

Visas

 

Visas aren’t required from visiting EU passport holders provided you hold a return/onward ticket and sufficient funds for your stay. You’ll normally be granted a 1 month stay. This can be extended on application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in Bairiki, for additional 1 month periods for a maximum 3 additional months, provided your passport remains valid. If you’re arriving for employment you should obtain a visa in advance by arrangement with your employer.

 

Passport validity

 

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

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Kiribati

 

Yellow fever

 

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

 

Departure tax

 

Departure Tax of AU$20 is applicable for both adults and children.