Visitor Information:

Fiji Visitors Bureau
Thomson Street
PO Box 92, Suva
Tel: (679) 3302433
Fax: (679) 3300970/3302751
E-mail: infodesk@fijifvb.gov.fj

Entry Requitements/Customs:

Fiji welcomes visitors and to facilitate easy entry, everything has been done to make the process as pleasant as possible. A valid passport for at least three months beyond the intended period of stay and a ticket for return or onward travel is required. Entry visas are granted on arrival for a stay of 4 month for nationals of:

Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Australia,Austria,Bahamas,Bangladesh,Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, The Federal Republic of Germany, The, Federated States of Micronesia, Finland, France, The Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldovia, Monaco, Nauru, New Zealand, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Romania, Russia, Samoa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad, Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Nationals of other countries require prearranged visas, which can be applied for at the nearest Fiji High Commission in their respective country. Visas may be extended on application to the Department of Immigration in Suva, Lautoka or Nadi. It is necessary to have an onward or return ticket and sufficient funds. Those wishing to stay more than six months should consult the Department of Immigration.

Those wishing to reside and work in Fiji, even on a temporary basis, require proper authority to do so before arrival. In most cases, prospective employers who make the necessary arrangements sponsor such people.

Fiji is noted as one of the friendliest places in the world, but visitors who intend to reside, or to reside and work, must make certain they have satisfied immigration requirements.

Fiji Customs operates a Dual Channel System - the Red and Green Channels - for expeditious clearance of air travellers.

• If you have any prohibited or restricted goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your duty/VAT free concessions, you should seek Customs Clearance at the Red Channel.
• If you do not have any prohibited, restricted or commercial goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your Duty/VAT concessions, you should proceed through the Green Channel.

Note: Your baggage may be examined by Customs whether you take the Red or Green Channels. If this occurs, you will be required to open and repack your baggage.

Dutiable Goods:

Fiscal duty and VAT are levied on all goods in excess of concessions. Fiscal duty rates vary depending on the goods, whereas VAT is uniformly applied at 10%. VAT is applied on a base which includes the value of the goods plus any fiscal duty payable.

Duty/VAT Free Concessions:

A bona fide passenger finally disembarking in Fiji is entitled to the following DUTY and VAT free concessions:
• Dutiable goods accompanying passengers (other than alcohol and tobacco products ) not exceeding $F400 in value
• The following goods which are owned by passengers and are not intended as gifts or for sale:

Personal Effects :
• Household effects for returning residents ( must be used for 12 months prior to departure ) or intending residents.
• Articles taken out of Fiji on departure on which duty and tax have been paid

The goods should not be for sale and must be accompanied at the time of final disembarkation by the passenger. Alternatively, the passenger purchases the goods immediately after final disembarkation in Fiji.

Each passenger of 17 years or more may also bring the following goods into Fiji, duty and VAT free, provided they are accompanied and are not for sale:
• Alcohol - 2 litres of alcohol liquor, or 4 litres of wine, or 4 litres of beer, or any combination that does not exceed the prescribed limit for any one item.
• Tobacco products - 500 cigarettes, or any combination of tobacco products up to 500 grams net weight.

A Baggage Declaration Form is to be filled and signed by the bona fide passenger in the case of unaccompanied luggage.

Departure Tax:

Visitors to Fiji are required to pay $20.00 departure tax in Fijian currency following check-in. Children under 12 are exempt.

Currency:

The Fijian dollar is the basic unit of currency, available in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50. Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1. There is no limit to the amount of money to be brought in. Visitors are allowed to take out currency up to the amount imported.

Major credit cards are welcomed by most hotels, restaurants, shops, rental car agencies, tours, cruises and travel agents. American Express, Diners Club, Visa, JCB International and Mastercard, are represented in Suva. American Express and VISA can replace lost credit cards and travellers cheques.

Fiji is well represented by banking groups. These include: The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), Bank of Baroda, Habib Bank, Colonial National Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation and Bank of Baroda..

All groups have head offices in Suva with branches and agencies throughout Fiji.

Normal banking hours are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday and to 4:00pm on Friday. All banks are closed on Public Holidays. ANZ operates a 24 hour service at Nadi International Airport’s Arrivals Concourse.

ANZ offers ATM services in Suva, Nausori, Nadi, Nadi Airport, Lautoka, and Labasa. National Bank and Westpac offer EFTPOS services in Suva, Nausori, Sigatoka, Nadi, and Lautoka.

Electricity:

The electrical current in Fiji is 240 volts AC 50 Hz. Fiji has three pin power outlets identical to Australia and New Zealand. If your applications are 110v check for a 110/240v switch; if there is none you will need a voltage converter. Leading hotels and resorts offer universal outlets for 240v or 110v shavers, hair dryers, etc.

Language:

Almost everyone in Fiji speaks English - as it is the official language, but the Fijian language is preserved and widely spoken in many different dialects. Almost everyone is bilingual and many Fijian terms are included in everyday English usage. It is handy to know some of the more common words and phrases, and the Fijians will be delighted to know you picked up some of their language.

Fijian pronunciation is similar to English, but with a few changes to the phonetic alphabet. Below is a brief guide which will bring you close to the correct pronunciations. The best way to learn, since there are many subtleties, is to have a Fijian instruct you and then listen closely.

Health:

Fiji is a country which carefully guards itself against human, animal and vegetable pests and diseases. It is free of all the serious plant and animal pests and diseases and it wants to maintain this privileged state. The importation of vegetable matter, seeds, or any animal product is prohibited without the relevant import permits from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.

A permit is required also for the importation of cats, dogs and other live animals. Such animals will require to be kept in quarantine isolation on arrival. The length of such isolation periods will depend on the country of origin of these animals. Quarantine officers are stationed at the international airports at Nadi and Nausori and the ports of entry for vessels.

Fiji is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna ( CITES ). Tourists are required to obtain an export permit and CITES certificate from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests to enable them to take the following aquatic products out of the country: coral of any species, turtle shells of any species, shell of any species of giant clams, whales tooth.

Further enquiries regarding the importation of animals or animal products can be made at the office of the Director of Animal Health and Production, GPO Box 15829, Suva. Telephone +679 3315322, Fax +679 3301368. Enquiries related to the imports of vegetable and plant matter are to be directed to the Principal Quarantine Officer, Private Mail Bag, Raiwaqa, Suva. Telephone +679 3312512 Fax +679 3305043.

Health Quarantine:

Fiji is free from malaria, yellow fever and major tropical diseases that are endemic to most tropical countries. It has an effective medical system in place although local people still believe in the efficacy of age-old herbal remedies. Fresh water reticulated in Suva, Lautoka and the other major towns has been treated and is safe to drink from the tap. This also applies to hotels and resorts. Some resorts use artesian water for bathing, but provide drinking water separately. If this is the case, visitors will be advised.

Vaccinations:

Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccinations are only required if coming from an infected area as designated by the World Health Organisation. Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over I year of age coming from an infected area.

Time:

When it is 9am in Fiji, it is:
4pm New York previous day
1pm Los Angles previous day

When the United States is on daylight saving add one hour to the above time. Between November and February, Fiji time moves forward one hour with daylight saving.

Climate: Fiji enjoys an ideal South Sea tropical climate. It is thus a perfect holiday destination, especially for those trying to escape the severe Northern Hemisphere winters. Maximum summer temperatures average 31 Degrees Celsius (88 Degrees F) and the mean minimum is 22 Degrees Celsius (72 Degrees F) The winter average maximum is 29 Degrees Celsius (84 Degrees Celsius F) and the mean minimum is 19 Degrees Celsius (66 Degrees Celsius F). These are much cooler in the uplands of the interior of the large islands.

A cooling trade wind blows from the east southeast of most of the year. It usually drops to a whisper in the evening and picks up again by midmorning. Fiji has a climate ideally suited for the outdoors, the beach and surf, for light cotton dresses, barbecues and water sports.