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Nauru - Consular Information Sheet
April 11, 2000
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Nauru, a small single-island nation
in the South Pacific, is about 25 miles south of the equator.
It is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of
government. Its economy is based on the export of phosphates.
Tourist facilities are available on a limited basis. Yaren, the
capital, has an international airport.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, visa, onward/return
ticket, and proof of hotel bookings (or sponsorship from a resident
of Nauru) are required for tourists. Tourist visas are issued
for a maximum of thirty days. Travelers transiting with valid
ticket/onward destination do not require a visa, provided that
the first connecting flight departs within three days of arrival
in Nauru. Business visitors must have a visa and a local sponsor.
Nauru collects a departure tax that must be paid in cash and in
Australian dollars. For more information on entry/exit requirements,
travelers may wish to contact the Nauru Consulate General in Melbourne,
Australia at telephone (613) 9653-5709, fax (613) 9654-4738.
CRIME INFORMATION: Nauru has a low crime rate. The loss
or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State’s pamphlet
A Safe Trip Abroad for ways
to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs
or via the Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health care facilities in the Republic
of Nauru are adequate for routine medical problems. Serious medical
conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation
to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and
hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always
valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs
do not provide payment for medical services outside the United
States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas
may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company
to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision
for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made
to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed
later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include
coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains
in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies
abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in
the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure
Medical Information for Americans
Traveling Abroad, available via the Consular Affairs homepage
at http://travel.state.gov.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations
and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international
travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299), or via CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign
country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ
significantly from those in the United States. The information
below concerning Nauru is provided for general reference only,
and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: No Public Transportation
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Limited
Traffic moves on the left in Nauru. The main road circling the
island is paved, but the remaining roads are unpaved. There is
no organized roadside assistance though there are a number of
mechanics and car repair facilities on the island. Animals and
pedestrians walking in the road make night driving on unlit secondary
roads hazardous.
AVIATION OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has assessed the Government of Nauru's civil aviation authority
as Category 2 - not in compliance with international aviation
safety standards for oversight of Nauru’s air carrier operations.
While consultations to correct the deficiencies are ongoing, Nauru’s
air carriers are permitted to conduct limited operations to the
U.S. subject to heightened FAA surveillance. For further information,
travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within
the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet homepage
at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some
foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of
air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific
carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Nauru’s customs authorities may enforce
strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export
from Nauru of items such as foodstuffs, animals, and pornographic
materials. It is advisable to contact the Nauru Consulate General
in Melbourne, Australia for specific information regarding customs
requirements.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S.
citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States
and may not afford the protections available to the individual
under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe
than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Nauru law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs
are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences
and fines.
CONSULAR ACCESS: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry
a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that,
if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship
are readily available. If detained, U.S. citizens are encouraged
to request that a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Suva,
Fiji be notified.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES: For information on international adoption
of children and international parental child abduction please
refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
or telephone (202) 736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: There is no U.S. Embassy
or diplomatic post in Nauru. Assistance for U.S. citizens in Nauru
is provided by the U.S. Embassy in Fiji, which is located at 31
Loftus Street in Fiji’s capital city of Suva. The telephone number
is (679) 314-466; the fax number is (679)300-081. Americans may
register with the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji and obtain up-to-date
information on travel and security in Nauru from the Embassy.
Information may also be obtained by visiting the Embassy’s home
page at http://www.amembassy-fiji.gov.
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