Nauru
Country Specific Information
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January 13, 2012

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’s Background Notes on Nauru for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Nauru, please take the time to tell our Embassy in Fiji about your trip. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

There is no U.S. Embassy or diplomatic post in Nauru. The U.S. Embassy in Fiji provides assistance for U.S. citizens in Nauru. 

U.S. Embassy Suva
158 Princes Road, Suva, Fiji
(679) 331-4466
Emergency after-hours telephone: (679) 772-8049
Facsimile: (679) 330-2267

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: All tourists will need a passport, visa, onward/return ticket, and proof of hotel bookings (or sponsorship from a resident of Nauru) to enter Nauru. You can get a tourist visa for a maximum stay of thirty days. You do not need a visa to transit through Nauru if your first connecting flight leaves within three days of your arrival in Nauru, and if you have a valid ticket for an onward destination. Business visitors must have a visa and a local sponsor. Nauru collects a departure tax that is included in the cost of airfare. 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.

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 in New York.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY:

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CRIME: Nauru has a low crime rate, but petty theft can occur almost anywhere. You should always exercise caution for your personal safety or the protection of your valuables when traveling abroad.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law. 

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we can contact family members or friend.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalents to the “911” emergency phone numbers in Nauru are as follows:

  Service Short code numbers
  Police Emergency Service 110
  Fire Emergency Service 112
  Ambulance Emergency Service 111
  Customer Care 123
  Directory Enquiries 192

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Nauru, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. Foreigners should carry photo identification with them at all times. Respect any sites that for cultural or security reasons have warnings posted against photography. The country enforces driving under the influence of alcohol laws, and offenders may be taken to jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Nauru, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. 

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Nauru is a small, remote tropical island. Access to and from Nauru is limited to a small number of commercial air flights each week. Transportation may be interrupted due to weather, political or labor disputes, economic difficulties, and other reasons. If you travel to Nauru and an emergency arises, you should be prepared to remain in Nauru until the emergency passes or to arrange for a private air or sea charter from the island, which may cost tens of thousands of dollars. The U.S. Government only arranges evacuation transportation in crises that pose a potential for loss of life or an imminent physical danger to the safety and security of U.S. citizens, and when commercial options are not possible. The U.S. Government is required to seek reimbursement for government organized evacuations in an amount equal to the average cost of a one-way ticket on a commercial carrier at the time commercial services are stopped.

Currency: In Nauru, the Australian dollar is the legal currency. Travelers’ checks and all major currencies are accepted by banks and may be exchanged for local currency at some local hotels. Credit card services on the island are limited to non-existent.

Customs: 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. Please contact the Consulate General of Nauru in Melbourne, Australia, for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Please see our information on Customs Information.

Citizenship Documents: Please carry a copy of your U.S. passport with you at all times, so that you will have proof of identity and U.S. citizenship readily available if questioned by local officials. If you are detained or arrested, please request that local authorities notify a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Suva, Fiji, of your detention.

Accessibility: While in Nauru, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Local law does not specifically prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities. No legislation mandates services for persons with disabilities or access to public buildings. There is no government agency with specific responsibility for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. There are no formal mechanisms to protect persons with mental disabilities.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: There are few health care facilities available in the Republic of Nauru. Medical care for routine problems is adequate, but not up to the standards of industrialized countries. On occasion, basic medications can be difficult to obtain. 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.

You can find detailed information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Nauru, you 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 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, or via email.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

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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. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Nauru dated June 30, 2010, to update sections on the Embassy Location, Special Circumstances, and Criminal Penalties.

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