Photo Credit: Tomoaki INABA

No visa is required to enter Tuvalu by citizens of the US, Canada, the UK and most other European countries, Australia, and New Zealand. On arrival, you will be granted an automatic stay for a period of up to 30 days for tourism purposes, which you can then extend for up to three months by applying at the Tuvaluan Department of Immigration. You can gain a visa on entry provided that you have at least six months’ validity on your passport and an onward ticket.

Health and Safety

There is no prevalence of malaria in Tuvalu. However, dengue fever is prevalent, so every care should be taken to defend against insect bites by covering up exposed skin and applying insect repellent. There is only one hospital in Tuvalu, in the capital city. Elsewhere on the islands, healthcare is provided by nurses only. Facilities are adequate for routine treatment, but for more serious medical problems you will require evacuation to Fiji. It is therefore advisable to travel with full health insurance coverage. You should ensure the following vaccinations are up to date before you travel to Tuvalu: hepatitis A and B, rabies, tetanus, tuberculosis, and typhoid. If these immunizations are not current, you should seek the vaccine at least six weeks before travel.

The crime rate is extremely low in Tuvalu, although opportunistic theft takes place. You should take care of your belongings and be especially vigilant when walking around at night, particularly if you are alone. Homosexuality is illegal in Tuvalu, with consensual sex between adult males punishable by a minimum penalty of seven years in prison.

Tuvalu is at risk of tropical cyclones between November and April. At this time, there is a prevalence of strong winds and heavy rains which can cause flooding, landslides, and road closures which may interrupt transportation and logistics, and can be dangerous. You can seek weather warnings by visiting: www.wmo.ch.

Click here for the History and Culture of Tuvalu