Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Petty crime, such as theft from hotel rooms and purse snatching, is common.

Theft and assault, including armed and sexual assault, may occur.

• Be particularly vigilant at night in urban areas
• Do not show signs of affluence, and be cautious when exchanging money at hotels or withdrawing money from ATMs or banks
• Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times

Unregulated alcohol

Several foreigners in southern Fiji have been victims of suspected methanol-adulterated alcohol poisoning.

• Be vigilant if you choose to drink alcohol
• Seek medical assistance if you begin to feel sick

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country.

Roads are adequate in major cities but poor in rural areas.

Stay on main roads; avoid secondary roads.

Roadside assistance is not widely available. Avoid driving outside of major cities after dark.

Road hazards may include pedestrians, domestic or wild animals, lack of signage and poor lighting. Vehicles are generally poorly maintained.

Public transportation

Use taxis and minibuses with yellow registration plates, which denote compliance with Land Transport Authority regulations. Unlicensed minibuses may not be insured. Do not share taxis with strangers.

Travel by boat or ferry on coastal waters and inter-island trips should be undertaken only with a reputable tour company. If you are contemplating sea journeys, check weather reports before heading out.

Latest local weather reports - Fiji Meteorological Service

General safety information

• Do not walk alone after dark
• Avoid large gatherings, demonstrations of any size
• Always avoid military installations and personnel
• Follow the instructions of local authorities

Hiking

If you intend on hiking:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to be back to camp
• know the symptoms of acute altitude sickness, which can be fatal
• obtain detailed information on trekking routes before setting out and do not venture off marked trails

Swimming

Riptides can be dangerous along the reefs and river estuaries. Seek local advice, as several drownings have occurred. If you participate in water-based activities, use a reputable company and ensure that its equipment meets safety requirements.

Water safety abroad

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Fijian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Fiji.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: issued upon arrival for stays of up to 4 months
Business visa: required
Work visa: required

Other requirements

An onward or return ticket is required to visit Fiji.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•  washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Good medical services and facilities are limited in availability. Quality of care varies greatly throughout the country. Medical services and facilities are adequate in major cities, but not in more remote areas. Avoid older medical clinics, as they often lack basic drugs and equipment, and have poor hygiene standards. Private hospitals and clinics located in cities are often better staffed and equipped than public or rural facilities. Medical evacuation may be necessary in the case of serious injury or illness.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Child sex tourism

It's a serious criminal offence to have sex with minors in Fiji.

Conviction may result in a lengthy prison sentence.

Child Sex Tourism: It’s a Crime

Imports and exports

Fiji has strict import restrictions and customs regulations, especially for food, plants, weapons, pets, drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Before travelling, make sure you are aware of the customs process, allowances and restrictions.    

• Customs arrival information - Fiji Revenue & Customs Service   
• Prohibited and restricted imports - Fiji Revenue & Customs Service

Driving

Traffic drives on the left.

There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol.

You should carry an International Driving Permit.

International Driving Permit

Culture

Dress conservatively outside tourist areas to avoid offending local sensitivities.

2SLGBTQI+ persons

Fijian law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Homosexuality, however, is not socially tolerated in rural areas.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Fiji.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Fiji, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Fiji.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Fiji, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Fijian court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Fiji to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Money

The currency is the Fijian dollar (FJD).

Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and shops. ATMs are widely available in main centres and some rural areas.

Possession of currency equivalent to more than FJ$10,000 must be declared upon entering or exiting the country.

Natural disasters and climate

Climate change

Climate change is affecting Fiji. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local news to stay informed on the current situation.

Cyclones and monsoon

The rainy (or monsoon) and cyclone seasons in the South Pacific are from November to April. Severe storms can cause flooding and landslides, which result in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure, and hamper the provision of essential services.

• Keep informed of regional weather forecasts
• Avoid disaster areas
• Follow the advice of local authorities

• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Fiji Meteorological Service

Seismic activity

Fiji is located in an active seismic zone and is prone to earthquakes. Tsunamis may occur after a strong earthquake and can travel long distances across the Pacific Ocean.