Arrival in Kiribati

Choose the destination island or island group before booking travel. Bonriki International Airport connects South Tarawa with the Gilbert Islands, while Cassidy International Airport serves Banana, also called Kiritimati, and the Line Islands. Air Kiribati provides scheduled services from Tarawa to 16 outer Gilbert locations and from Kiritimati to Fanning and Washington islands. Ferry services also connect South Tarawa with North Tarawa and some nearby islands, but schedules depend on the tide and weather. A daily North Tarawa service generally operates except on Saturday, and services from Betio connect with Abaiang, Maiana and Marakei. Confirm current schedules before relying on an onward connection. The entry permission depends on the purpose of the stay. Visitor visas cover tourism and family visits, work visas cover employment, student visas cover study or research, and transit visas cover onward travel. A work visa requires an approved job offer and may also require evidence of qualifications or experience, financial means or employer support, and accommodation arrangements. Visitor status does not authorize employment. The current Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration (MFAI) Visa Exemption Order 2023 has applied since 1 September 2023 and allows listed nationalities to enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 12-month period. Nationals outside the exemption list should apply in advance. Current MFAI fees are AUD 40 for a visitor visa, AUD 60 for an extension, AUD 150 for a new work or student visa, AUD 90 for renewal, and AUD 1,000 for permanent residence. MFAI does not state a standard visa processing time, so written confirmation is sensible before making non-refundable arrangements. Carry a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure, a confirmed return or onward ticket, evidence of sufficient funds and an ICAO-compliant passport. Complete the arrival card accurately and keep the passport, visa or visa-waiver evidence available for inspection. Immigration officers may request proof of onward travel, funds or sponsorship and may collect biometrics. If someone arrives outside an Immigration control area, the person must report within 72 hours. False or misleading information on the arrival card and non-compliance with immigration instructions can lead to prosecution. Biosecurity checks incoming aircraft, vessels, passengers, baggage and cargo. Do not bring unverified food, plants, animals, animal products, regulated plant products, second-hand goods or sand and gravel. Some items require an import permit or other risk conditions. Phytosanitary certificates mainly support exports and do not by themselves authorize the import of an item. Kiribati Customs Administration and Enforcement, including its Bonriki Airport Branch, handles separate goods-clearance procedures. MFAI headquarters in Bairiki, Tarawa, handles immigration, visa and residency matters from Monday to Friday, generally 9:00 to 17:15 at UTC+12. The Kiritimati Branch in London operates Monday to Friday, generally 9:00 to 17:00 at UTC+14. The Immigration Division monitors the status of foreign nationals. Kiribati has no evidenced nationwide registration procedure equivalent to a general local address registration. Hotel or Island Council records do not replace immigration status monitoring or any reporting requirement that applies to the stay. South Tarawa has buses and vans. On outer islands, motorbike or truck hire may be arranged through a hotel or an Island Council, but availability is local and should be confirmed before travel. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). ANZ is the only commercial bank, and banking, ATMs and EFTPOS are concentrated in South Tarawa and Kiritimati. North Tarawa and the outer islands may have no ATM or EFTPOS access, so carry enough cash for transport, accommodation, food and an unplanned delay before leaving a banking centre. The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) is responsible for national health delivery. The official service profile identifies Tungaru Central Hospital and Betio Hospital in South Tarawa, Kiritimati Hospital and health centres and clinics, while access on outer islands is more limited. Verify current opening hours and capacity when medical care is a significant concern. The wet season, Auu-Meang, runs from 1 November to 30 April and can bring high swells, storm surge and coastal inundation. Check updates from the Kiribati Meteorological Service through met.gov.ki or local radio on 1055.