Fiji

Capital: Suva

Language: English, Fijian (iTaukei) and Fiji Hindi (all official)

Currency: Fijian dollar (FJD)

Time zone: UTC+12:00

e-Visa — 120 days

Of the six Gulf nationalities, only the UAE is visa-exempt — entering on a visitor permit issued on arrival for up to 4 months (extendable by 2 more, 6 months maximum). The other five (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman) are NOT on Fiji's official exemption list and must apply for an advance e-visa via the government's IMMIHUB portal before travelling — there is no visa-on-arrival option for any of them. Two types exist: a Single Entry Visa (SEV, $93) valid 3 months for one trip, and a Multiple Entry Visa (MEV, $185) valid 12 months with each entry capped at 4 months. Processing takes about 14 working days — applications must be submitted in advance, not on arrival. Passports must be valid at least 6 months.

Official source ↗

⚠️ Guidance only — always verify with the official source before traveling.

🕓 Last officially verified: 14/07/2026

May–October (Fiji's dry season) is best — drier and relatively cooler (22–28°C), and it coincides with the Gulf summer, offering a genuine escape from its heat. November–April is humid and hot with cyclone potential, warranting schedule flexibility.

Halal food: Halal availability is moderate and geographically concentrated: Suva, Nadi and Lautoka (home to a sizeable Muslim Indo-Fijian community) offer declared halal restaurants and butchers, including a Kebab King chain at Denarau Marina and Suva's MHCC mall. Outside these three towns — on resort islands or in villages — declared halal is essentially absent, so advance planning or self-catering is necessary.

Prayer places: Mosques are concentrated in Suva (Al Haq, Nadera Jame, Samabula Jame), Nadi and Lautoka, serving a small but active Muslim community (~6–7% of the population, mostly Sunni Indo-Fijian). There are no mosques on the resort islands — use a prayer-times/qibla app rather than relying on local facilities.

Friday is an official holiday: No

The Muslim community is small but active around Suva's three mosques plus Nadi and Lautoka — local communal iftars are held there. Public life and tourism are entirely unaffected, but resort islands offer no special Ramadan arrangements — a fasting visitor there needs to plan meals independently.

Visiting any traditional village requires the sevusevu ceremony: presenting a bundle of yaqona (kava root, bought at markets) to the village chief before entering — skipping it is a real offence and you may be turned away. Modest dress is mandatory in villages (covering shoulders and knees, wrapping a 'sulu' around the waist), removing hats and sunglasses out of respect for elders, and avoiding touching anyone's head. 'Fiji time' means a slow, flexible rhythm — don't expect Western punctuality. The friendly 'Bula!' greeting is used everywhere.

Cards are widely accepted at resorts, hotels and city restaurants, but cash (Fijian dollars) is essential at local markets, villages, ferries and small-town shops. ATMs are abundant in Nadi, Suva and Lautoka but scarce or absent on remote islands — withdraw cash before heading out there.

There's no Uber — metered taxis and resort transfer arrangements are the norm. A tourist SIM from Vodafone Fiji or Digicel is available instantly at Nadi Airport's arrivals hall (24/7, passport required). Google Maps is reliable on the main islands but weakens on remote islands.

Left-hand driving, and an international driving permit is recognised. The coastal Queens Road (Suva–Nadi) is in good condition, but rural and other-island roads can be rough. Renting a car is practical for a Coral Coast trip but unnecessary for a resort-only stay.

Tipping isn't traditionally expected, though some resorts add an automatic service charge. Rounding up is appreciated but not required.

Vodafone and Digicel — tourist kiosks in Nadi Airport's arrivals hall run 24/7 (passport required). Vodafone has stronger coverage in the Yasawas and Vanua Levu, Digicel inland on Viti Levu. Data bundles are very cheap (tens of GB for under $25).

Fiji has no trains or metro. Domestic Fiji Link flights connect the main islands (Nadi–Suva ~45 minutes), and ferries (Yasawa Flyer, Blue Lagoon Cruises) reach the northern islands. Local buses are cheap on Viti Levu, and taxis are metered in town or negotiated for longer trips. Renting a car is practical for a Coral Coast road trip.

Generally moderate with sharp contrast: local guesthouses and meals are affordable ($5–10/meal, $20–40/night), while Denarau and private Yasawa resorts start at $200 and exceed $600/night. The Fijian dollar (~2.2 per USD in 2026) and activities (diving, cultural tours) add substantially to a budget.

ℹ️ Prices are approximate and subject to change

Fiji carries the US State Department's 'Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions' rating — the highest safety tier — and most visitors genuinely have a relaxed, friendly experience. But there are real caveats: pickpocketing and petty theft are common in downtown Suva's commercial district and Nadi's tourist areas, bag/phone-snatching incidents recur on the Colo-i-Suva forest trails near Suva, and reports of harassment and sexual assault against female tourists have notably increased. Gated resort islands (Denarau, Mamanuca, Yasawa) are inherently safer and more insulated than the real working towns.

• Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple (Nadi)
• Levuka's colonial town (UNESCO, Ovalau)
• Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park
• Beqa Lagoon shark diving
• The Yasawa Islands and Blue Lagoon
• Savusavu's hot springs