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Nauru
Country Specific Information
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August 20, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Nauru, a small single-island nation in the South Pacific, is located about 25 miles south of the equator. It is a constitutional
republic with a parliamentary system of government. Tourist facilities are available on a limited basis. Yaren, the capital,
has an international airport. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Nauru for additional information.
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 a valid ticket for an 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 Republic of Nauru Permanent Mission
to the United Nations in New York at 212-937-0074, or by fax at 212-937-0079. The address is: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400A
New York, NY 10017. E-mail addresses are: nauru@onecommonwealth.org and/or Nauru@un.int.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau
of Consular Affairs’ Internet site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 tollfree in the U.S. and Canada or, for
callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
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CRIME: Nauru has a low crime rate. However, visitors should not be complacent regarding personal safety or the protection of valuables.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: 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. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation
and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand
the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney, if needed.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Health care facilities in the Republic of Nauru are adequate for routine medical problems, but very limited in availability.
Emergency response capability is extremely limited. 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.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
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); or via the CDC's web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Nauru.
However, the Ministry of Health of Nauru is currently considering whether to put restrictions in place. Please inquire directly
with Republic of Nauru Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Please see the Entry/Exit Requirements section for contact
information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please
see our information on medical insurance overseas.
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.
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, although there are a number of mechanics and car repair facilities on the island. Animals
and pedestrians walking in the road make night driving hazardous. For specific information concerning Nauru driving permits,
vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Nauru Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia at telephone
(613) 9653-5709, fax (613) 9654-4738.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Nauru’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being
in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Nauru’s air
carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In Nauru, the Australian dollar is the legal currency. Travelers’ checks and all major currencies are accepted by banks
and may also be exchanged for local currency at some local hotels.
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.
Please see our information on Customs Information.
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.
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 those in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Nauru law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web pages.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: There is no U.S. embassy or diplomatic post in Nauru. The U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji, provides assistance for U.S. citizens
in Nauru. Americans living or traveling in Nauru are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Suva through the State Department’s travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Nauru. Americans without Internet access may register directly
with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Embassy in Fiji is located at 31 Loftus Street in Fiji’s capital city
of Suva. The telephone number is (679) 331-4-466; the fax number is (679) 330-2-267. Information may also be obtained by
visiting the Embassy’s home page at http://suva.usembassy.gov/. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information dated February 11, 2008 with updates in the sections on Entry/Exit Requirements,
Information for Victims of Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information, and Aviation Safety Oversight.
