Kiribati formalumai
Kiribati - Formalities
Clearance
No other island must be visited before clearing in or after clearing out.
Call the appropriate port Radio on VHF 16 on arrival in Kiribati waters (Tarawa Radio, Christmas Radio, Fanning Radio or Kanton Radio). It will be necessary to collect the officials in your own dinghy.
A cruising permit should be obtained when clearing in.
You must report to the local police on any island you visit after clearing in to the country; some atolls have a Quarantine officer who may wish to inspect the yacht.
To visit other islands during your stay in Kiribati you will need to write a letter to Principal Immigration Officer requesting permission - at least 3 days prior to intended departure. You will also need to clear with Customs to visit other islands. They will provide you with a letter of introduction to give to the local police on arrival, who will want to see your permit letter and crew passports.
Permission to visit one of the outer islands is granted for a fixed period, usually no more than 2 weeks.
It appears that the outward clearance policy has changed and it is no longer necessary for all yachts to return to Tarawa for final outward clearance. Yachts have reported being able to clear out of Christmas Island in 2015. Remember that yachts are not allowed to stop at any of the outer islands after making final outward clearance.
Before clearing out, yachts must pay their port dues of AUS$50 per month, payable at the KPA office (ports office). The receipt for which is required by Customs before the departure clearance document is issued.
Last updated November 2016.
Immigration
Passports must be valid for the length of the proposed stay.
No visa is required by citizens of very many countries.
A visitor's permit is normally issued on arrival, for one month, with extensions of one month at a time up to four months.
If a visa is required, it must be obtained BEFORE arrival.
Foreign nationals requiring a visa can apply to the Principal Immigration Officer in Tarawa.
Last updated November 2016.
Consulate of The Republic of Kiribati
95 Nakolo Place, Room 265 , Honolulu, HI 96819
Tel:(808) 834-6775
Immigration Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) , (Office located on Bairiki) , Tarawa
Tel:(+686) 21342
Apply here for extensions to visitor's permit.
Customs
Firearms must be declared on arrival. Firearms will be taken into custody by Customs until departure.
Prohibited imports include matches containing white or yellow phosphorous, narcotics and other illicit drugs, (but not including medicines generally found aboard a yacht), flick knives or imitation firearms.
Prohibited exports are artefacts over 30 years old, traditional swords, tools and dancing ornaments.
Last updated November 2016.
Health
Hepatitis is prevalent.
Drinking water should be boiled or treated.
Avoid eating local shellfish or lagoon fish on Tarawa.
Medical facilities at the general hospital in Tarawa are modest. Elsewhere, clinics are generally staffed by nurse practitioners.
There is no pharmacy on Kiribati.
There have been reports of visitors being bitten by stray dogs. Be vigilant, particularly on the beach. If you are approached by a dog, do not run. Reaching down as if to pick up something off the ground can be enough to scare dogs away. If you are bitten seek medical attention immediately.
Documents
In order to visit any other islands after clearing out, one needs to obtain an official letter from Customs and Immigration. A letter will be issued addressed to the relevant official at each island, stating, among other things, the duration of one's allowed stop. It is therefore essential not only to obtain this letter before clearing out, but also to ensure that one's visa covers the entire proposed stay.
Fees
Visa fees: free for the first month. A 3 month extension is available for AUD$60.
Clearance is free during working hours (8.15am to 4.15pm) Monday to Friday. Overtime is charged outside of these times.
There are port dues of AUS$50 per month, payable prior to departure.
The fee for taking on fuel at the wharf on Christmas Island is AUS$60 for use of the wharf.
Last updated June 2015.
Restrictions
The Phoenix Group of Islands are now aiming to become a “World Heritage Site”, so you now need a permit to sail there. Whilst permission is relatively straightforward to obtain, one of the requirementsis to carry and pay a local observer the whole time in the Phoenix Group – including paying for their airfare between Kiribati and Samoa!
Last updated September 2014.
Local Customs
Local laws forbid nudity and revealing swimming costumes
Posted on behalf of Alexandre Marques de Azevedo of SY Sargaço from Brazil:
AtsakytiPanaikintiA good tip is to anchor in front of the “copra” harbor and call our friends Timei & Tima (you pronounce it Simei and Sima because Ti = S).
You can call on channel 23, phone 95093, e-mail timeitima@gmail.com, or just look for them 300 meters north bound from the harbor (they agree to give their contact to all sailors).
They are wonderful people. They run a small hotel business named “Rainbow Entreprise”, but they are very happy to help boat people just for the pleasure to share time together and help people. They helped us very much with the authorities even though it is not their business, and it was very, very helpful. They helped us with internet, laundry, supermarket etc. I tried to pay for the service but they absolutely did not accept.
Timei & Tima have a kind of generosity and sympathy that we do not find very easily these days.
It is also a good idea to avoid arriving on weekends because the authorities try to charge 100% extra. And bring a “clear out” document (Zarpe) otherwise they will fine you. Yes, people are very nice but authorities are not nice at all!
We realy liked a place named Paris!
Enjoy!!!!