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Montserrat
Country Specific Information
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April 01, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Montserrat is a British overseas territory and part of the British West Indies. The island rises in a series of mountain
slopes to a high point of over 3,000 feet at the Soufriere Volcano in the exclusion zone. Montserrat is a highly active volcanic
island. The Government of Montserrat has issued several recent proclamations and warnings urging residents and visitors to
be vigilant and to be prepared to move at short notice. It last erupted in January 2009, requiring the large-scale evacuation
of residents. Read the Department of State Background Notes on the United Kingdom for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:All Americans traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This requirement will be extended to sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service, on June 1, 2009. Until then, U.S. citizens traveling by sea may present government-issued photo identification and a document showing their U.S. citizenship (for example, a birth certificate or certificate of nationalization). Starting June 1, 2009, all travelers must present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements.
A passport if arriving by air, and a passport or passport card if arriving by sea, is required for entry to Montserrat. You will also have to provide proof of an onward/return ticket and sufficient funds to cover the expected stay. There is a departure tax payable upon leaving Montserrat.
For further information, travelers may contact the British Embassy, 19 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 588-7800; or the nearest consulate of the United Kingdom in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Seattle, or San Francisco. Visit the British Embassy's web site for the most current visa information.
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’ web site, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free 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 A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: The crime rate in Montserrat is low. However, travelers should take normal, common sense precautions. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and displaying expensive jewelry. Use hotel safety deposit facilities to safeguard valuables and travel documents.
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, 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.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Montserrat is: 911 for an ambulance and 999 for the police.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: St. John’s Hospital (telephone (664) 491-2843), Montserrat’s main hospital, can handle most routine and surgical emergencies. However, there is no hyperbaric chamber in Montserrat. Doctors in private practice are also available. Arrangements can be made quickly to transfer more serious problems off island by helicopter to Antigua or Guadeloupe.
Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Montserrat. Anyone who does not appear to be in good health may be required to undergo a medical exam (including HIV test) prior to being granted or denied entry. Please verify this information with the Embassy of the United Kingdom before traveling.
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. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site. Further health information for travelers is available from the WHO.
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 whether 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 Montserrat is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
In Montserrat, vehicles are operated on the left-hand (British) side of the road. There is no organized government roadside assistance, but local residents are often willing to aid those with car trouble. Roads are narrow, winding and steep. For specific information concerning Montserrat driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Montserrat Tourist Board in Montserrat at tel. 1 (664) 491-2230 or 491-8730. You may visit the web site for the Tourist Board for more information.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the web site of Montserrat Tourist Board and national authority responsible for road safety.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Civil aviation operations in Montserrat fall under the jurisdiction of British authorities. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the UK’s air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s website.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Since 1995, ongoing volcanic activity in the south of the island has led to the evacuation and relocation of residents of the so called ‘exclusion zone'. Additionally, access to all areas on the southern flanks of the Belham Valley east of the Belham Bridge and areas south is prohibited, as is south of Jack Boy Hill to Bramble Airport and beyond. The most recent evacuation took place in January 2009. Additional evacuations may occur when volcanic activity increases. Because the volcano is still active and dangerous, access to the southern part of the island is restricted. Persons entering restricted areas without authorization are subject to fine and/or imprisonment.
When in Montserrat, citizens are advised to monitor Radio Montserrat (Radio ZJB) for the latest official guidance. The official Montserrat Volcano Observatory web site is also helpful for updates on volcanic activity. Updates on volcano activity can also be found on the web site of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency.
In addition to the hazards posed by the Soufriere Hills Volcano as outlined above, Montserrat can be affected by hurricanes. The hurricane season normally runs from June to the end of November, but there have been hurricanes in December in recent years. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Please see our Customs Information.
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 Montserrat laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Montserrat are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy 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 see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Montserrat are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Montserrat. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Barbados, which has jurisdiction over Montserrat. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Wildey Business Park in St. Michael, Barbados. The Consular Section is open for American Citizens Services from 8:30am to 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, except Barbados and U.S. holidays. For after-hours service, American citizens may contact the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, telephone 1-246-436-4950. Assistance may also be provided by the U.S. Consular Agent, Rebecca Simon, in Antigua. Her office is located in Suite #2, Jasmine Court, Friars Hill Rd, St. John’s, Antigua. Contact information is as follows: telephone 1-268-463-6531, cellular 1-268-726-6531. The mailing address is P.O. Box W-1562, St. John’s, Antigua. The Consular Agent is available by appointment only. The office is closed for local and U.S. Holidays.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Montserrat dated April 2, 2008, to update sections on Entry/Exit Requirements, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Aviation Safety Oversight, and Special Circumstances.
