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Last Updated:
November 7, 2007 14:23
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:48 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Travel Report have been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country.
Following a military coup that took place in December 2006, an interim prime minister was sworn in on The state of emergency (Public Emergency Regulations) that was imposed on OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Robbery and assault have increased, particularly at night in urban areas. Petty crime such as theft from hotel rooms and purse snatching is prevalent. Armed assaults occur, even in hotels. You should exercise caution at all times, and pay particular attention when exchanging money at hotels or withdrawing money from automatic banking machines or banks. Do not show signs of affluence. Do not share taxis with strangers. Ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times. Do not walk alone after dark. Do not hike alone. The terrain can be hazardous. Consult with local guides before setting out and stay on marked paths. Riptides can be dangerous along the reefs and river estuaries. Several drownings have occurred. Sharks are present. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of Fiji and was valid on April 13, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Fiji and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Fiji. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of an onward or return ticket. Tourist visas are issued upon arrival for stays up to four months. A renewal or replacement of a Canadian passport in Proof of yellow fever immunization is required for those arriving from infected areas. A FJD$30 departure tax must be paid in Fijian currency upon departure. Children under 12 are exempt. Tourist Visa: Required Business Visa: Required Work Visa: Required A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Fiji - NADI, Consulate of Canada Address: Nadi Airport, Nadi Postal Address: P.O. Box 10690, Nadi, Tel.: 679 6722 400 or 679 9924 999 (mobile) Fax: 679 672 1936 or 679 672 4489 E-Mail: vyases@connect.com.fj New Zealand - WELLINGTON, High Commission of Canada Address: 125 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand Postal Address: P.O. Box 8047, Wellington, New Zealand, Tel.: 64 (4) 473-9577 Fax: 64 (4) 471-2082 E-Mail: wlgtn@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/newzealand For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Wellington, New Zealand, and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 00800-7089. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Possession of any amount of marijuana will lead to a three-month prison sentence. Pedophiliac activity is also severely punished. Topless bathing and nudity in public is forbidden. Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment for up to 14 years. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Roads outside cities are unpaved. Driving can be hazardous, particularly after dark, due to potholes and stray animals. Travel by boat on coastal waters and inter-islands trips should be undertaken only with a reputable tour company. The maximum speed limit is 50 mph (80 km/h). Use taxis with a yellow registration plate, which denotes recent compliance with Land Transport Authority (LTA) regulations. Unlicensed minibuses may not be insured. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The currency is the Fijian dollar. Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants, and shops. Automated banking machines are available in Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori, Sigatoka, and Suva. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Fiji is located in an active seismic zone. You should know the address and telephone number of the Consulate of Canada in Nadi or the High Commission of Canada in Wellington, New Zealand, in the event of an emergency. The cyclone season extends from November to April. Heavy rains occasionally result in localized flash flooding. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Travellers contemplating sea journeys should contact the Meteorological Office (tel.: 23401) or consult the Met Web site (www.met.gov.fj) for weather reports. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities are adequate. Serious medical problems may require evacuation to New Zealand, Australia, or Canada. Emergency evacuations may cost tens of thousands of dollars. There are two decompression chambers in Suva. Many popular diving sites are located away from Suva. Divers visiting Fiji should buy travel insurance that includes decompression and medical evacuation services. Cases of dengue fever have been reported. Residents and travellers are advised to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from contracting dengue fever by using mosquito repellent (containing DEET), and avoiding swampy or low lying areas where mosquitoes are more prevalent. People experiencing flu-like symptoms are advised to seek medical attention immediately. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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