Fiji
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of Fiji
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have an embassy in Fiji. Bulgarian nationals staying on the territory of Fiji can find assistance from our embassy in Canberra, Australia.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Australia
Address: 29 Pindari Crescent str, O’Malley, Canberra, ACT 2606
Postal Address: P.O. Box 6096 Mawson, ACT 2607 Canberra, Australia
Telephone: +612 62869711; +612 62869700
Fax: +612 62869600
Office hours: 09.00 am – 5.30 pm
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/australia
General information
general information
All prohibited or restricted goods should be declared at entering. Please find below a list of the prohibited or restricted goods HERE.
Upon arrival inFiji, one is required to fill in a travelling declaration in accordance with the provided form. Please note that the consequences from incorrect, wrong or inaccurate information can be severe penalties, prison or both.
The customs of Fiji have two corridors– red and green. The red one is used when you are carrying prohibited or restricted goods or goods subject to taxation, exceeding the quantities which you can bring in free. The green corridor is used in all other cases. Your luggage may be inspected by the customs authorities, regardless of using the red or the green corridor– in such case you should open your luggage for inspection.
You can bring in unlimited quantities of foreign currency, which shall be declared in all cases, as well as personal use items as follows:
- up to 500 cigarettes or combination of tobacco products with weight up to 500 g
- 2 litersofalcohol/hardliquor/ or4 litersofwineorbeeroracombinationthereof, without exceeding the limit for each separate product.
Gifts for up to 500 Fijian dollars may be imported free.
Export: free export of goods (different from alcohol and cigarettes), which should not exceed the amount of 400 Fijian dollars. It is allowed to take out foreign currency up to the amount declared at entering. When leaving Fiji, visitors, except the children below 12, should pay a “leaving” charge of 20 Fijian dollars.
Specifics of legislation
The attitude towards homosexual acts is complex, considering them illegal. Homosexuality is discriminated since 1 February 2010. Unisexual marriages or co-habitation are not recognized by the state.
According to Fijian legislation, it is illegal if a person is found to be under the influence of alcohol at the airports and in the airplanes. Intoxicated travellers, arriving by air, may be detained by the police even at the airport.
Traffic
The traffic is in the left lane. The roads are in the process of reconstruction, being very narrow and with lots of turns. It is not advisable to drive during the night. You should strictly observe the speed limits. In the towns and villages, the maximum speed is 50 km/h, and outside – 80 km/h. You should be extra careful when driving near populated areas, because natives walk extremely close to motor vehicles and sometimes sit alone or in groups on the road. Seatbelts are compulsory.
Healthcare
The hospitals and the medical services do not correspond to the level in West Europe. Since January 2008, there are periodic outbreaks of epidemic typhus, including lethal outcomes. Frequent diseases in Fiji are typhus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, measles and parotitis. To prevent infection, it is advisable to boil drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice-cubes, raw or semi-cooked food. Be extremely cautious when eating fish– ciguatera/poisoning caused by eating reef fish/ is dangerous in Fiji. You should take the respective measures against mosquitoes (sprays, lotions, mosquito nets).
Climate
The climate is tropical, oceanic and humid. The average monthly temperatures are about 25 degrees in wintertime (from May until November) and about 31 degrees in summertime (December – April). The rainy season in Fiji lasts from November until March, which usually coincides with the hurricane season (November – April). The temperature of the water is about 26 degrees throughout the year.
Local currency
The local currency is Fijian dollar.
1 Fijian dollar = 0.8484 BGN
1 Fijian dollar = 0.4338 EUR
1 Fijian dollar = 0.5657 USD
Safety
On 5 December 2006, a bloodless military coup took place against the legal President and currently, the state is under military dictatorship. On 10 April 2009, the Constitution of Fiji from 1997 was abrogated. The military officers and the law enforcement bodies are entitled to use armed forces for dispersing meetings and they have detained people without bringing any charges against them. When traveling, you should keep well informed about the news in the daily papers, avoid demonstrations and gatherings of people, and not go close to military sites.
Customs requirements
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian nationals can travel to Fiji with international passport, valid at least 6 months from the date of leaving the country. When claiming tickets to be returned or continuing the flight, and in case of proving adequate financial resources upon arrival, you are granted a permission of entry with a maximum term of validity up to four months. As a rule, it is possible to extend your permission to stay with two more months, provided that you have filed the application for extending your stay before the expiry of the allowed time to stay.
It is advisable to take with you your certificate of marriage (when traveling with your spouse) and certificates of birth of your children.
Vaccination against hepatitis A and B, typhus, yellow fever, measles, parotitis and rubella, and against tetanus-diphtheria is recommended.
Competitive service
Emergency travel Document
In emergency situations – damaged, lost or stolen passport, Bulgarian nationals staying on the territory of Fiji can apply to be issued an Emergency travel document before the diplomatic mission of an EU member state in Fiji.