Reunion — Visas and Healthcare
Passports and Visas
Passports must be valid for length of intended stay. Travelers must have proof of return or onward tickets, sufficient funds or lodging certificate and all travel documents needed for onward journey. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Americans
US nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required.
UK Nationals
UK nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport endorsed as a British Citizen, British National (Overseas), or British Overseas Territories Citizen with Right to Abode is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Schengen visa is also valid for Reunion.
Canadians
Canadian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required. A Schengen visa is also valid for Reunion.
Australians
Australian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to one month; a valid passport is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Schengen visa is also valid for Reunion.
South Africans
South African nationals require a visa to travel to French Overseas Departments, including Reunion; a valid passport is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Schengen visa is also valid for Reunion.
Irish Nationals
Irish nationals do not require a visa; a valid passport is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Schengen visa is also valid for Reunion.
New Zealanders
New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Schengen visa is also valid for Reunion.
Healthcare
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.Visitors to Réunion should take precautions against mosquito bites due to illnesses such as dengue fever and the Chikungunya virus. A yellow fever certificate is required from travelers arriving from an infected area. Réunion's medical and sanitary facilities are very good. Most towns have doctors and clinics, while the principal hospital is in Saint-Denis. Tap water is usually safe for drinking. Public water sources are unsafe if labelled 'Eau non potable'. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to low-cost emergency medical treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Safety
As when traveling to any foreign destination, visitors should be vigilant of their personal belongings, not display signs of wealth (e.g. mobile phones, money, expensive jewelry) or walk around alone in an unknown area at night. Réunion is, however, relatively safe. Swimmers should be aware of currents and riptides, if unsure, ask the locals. The cyclone season is from December to April. The Piton de la Fournaise volcano is considered likely to erupt at some point in the near future.
