Nauru tourist visa on arrival

Hi there,

I will be in Fiji soon and then I would like to visit any nearby island country for a week or less. So far I have shortlisted Vanuatu and Nauru but final decision will take some time.

I have visited world's largest country Russia few months back and so my preference will be to visit Nauru - World's smallest independent country :)

Our Airline has irregular flights between Nadi and Nauru. However it says visitors need to apply for a visa before their arrival, through one of the government's overseas offices [http://www.ourairline.com.au/content/destinations/nauru/tourism-info]

Now what's that exactly ? I am an Indian national and as per websites of reputed airlines I am eligible to get VoA provided holding a confirmed hotel reservation and return / onward ticket.

Is it possible to get Nauru tourist visa from Nauru High Commission in Suva, Fiji ? Has anyone done it recently ?

Thank you in advance.

Nauru - World's smallest independent country :)

World's smallest independent country is the Vatican City and World's second smallest independent country is Monaco...

I'm sorry but I can't help you with visa requirements for Indians visiting Nauru. However, as you seem to have several infos that doesn't agree among them, I recomend you to confirm the requirements with an Embassy/Consulate/High Comission of Nauru. I didn't see any info regarding visas for visitors on the web of the Government of Nauru.

Thanx,

I am surprised that Nauru is NOT world's smallest. I got previous information at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauru] . I didn't read properly it seems.

Nauru is smallest island nation and smallest republic in the world. Now these two points are enough for me to visit Nauru.

Hopefully trip to Vatican City as well as Monaco will be planned soon :)

The web of Our Airline provides the contact details of the Nauruan High Commission in Fiji here. You can try to contact them to get all the relevant info. That web also offers the contact details of the Consulate of Nauru in Brisbane if it's better for you.

Thanx,

I have received an e-mail from Our Airline that advance visa is required by all foreigners. Really strange ! But I will try to get correct idea from their high commission in suva, Fiji.

Additionally return flights to Nauru cost more than A$ 1500. Such a huge amount if you compare all angles. I am seriously considering Vanuatu instead of Nauru.

That web also offers the contact details of the Consulate of Nauru in Brisbane if it's better for you.

I will be in Australia next year. Hopefully will visit Brisbane for 2/3 days but not to meet consulate of Nauru :)

Our Airline also flies to Nauru from Brisbane - may be cheaper than from Nadi.

Nauru is about as independent as a refugee camp in the middle of nowhere. If you are going only for that reason, you'd probably do well to reconsider.

Thanks,

Not interested in Nauru anymore after considering various points. Also who wants to see those refugees ! I am sure some refugees should be from India since India is such an (In)famous country for illegal activities.

Do you think one week each in Vanuatu and Samoa is good to visit in second half of March ? I mean weather wise.

Air Pacific has few weekly flights from Nadi to both these Island countries. Just to get few tourist visas in passport since I may not re-visit South Pacific region in near future :)

There aren't any refugees there any more!

Recently met an old Aussie in Argentina. While discussing many things I told him about my ex-plan to visit Nauru and his first comment was Nauru is for refugees.

Maybe he's been in South America for too long. There haven't been any there for about 5 years, since the change of Government in Austrlaia.
The ones that were there were people who arrived in Australian waters by boat, mainly Middle eastern, via Malaysia and Indonesia, and a few Sri Lankans.

I don't think anyone means that there are only refugees in Nauru, its that, given the country's 90% unemployement rate and 100% dependence on aid from other countries, the whole country's population might as well be refugees stuck on a lone island in the middle of nowhere.

The ones that were there were people who arrived in Australian waters by boat, mainly Middle eastern, via Malaysia and Indonesia, and a few Sri Lankans.

No one from India ? I am surprised :)

given the country's 90% unemployement rate and 100% dependence on aid from other countries,

But still they need tourist visa in advance by all foreigners. As information I got from our airline. Very strange.

Was there anything happening in India that would cause people to fear for their lives? I haven't heard of anthing like the Tamil Tigers.

Regarding Nauru, if you haven't been there I would strongly recommend it. It's unlike anywhere else you're likely to go. I guess it does come down to why you would actually want to go there though. If it's to tick a box, then I'll leave that decision to you, but if it's to see somewhere unique...

The perceptions about refugees are outdated (although Australian immigration policy may change that). It is one of the world's most challenged countries in terms of isolation, development, poverty lack of natural resources, etc, etc. However, the people are truly charming and engaging. There's a fair bit to do if you are interested in what Nauru has to offer (fishing, diving or 2nd World War history - not my thing, but people go there specifically for that) and enjoy a gentle, laid-back diversion from the rest of the world. In the space of 90 minutes I caught over 50kg of fish and saw sharks and turtles snorkeling (not to mention the myriad of fish and coral).

If you do go though, there may be no power for periods (which also means no water as the country relies almost totally on desalination - get a local cultural experience by joining the queue for water at the desalination plant), there's one of the world's most fascinating landscapes (about 80% of the country is mined), a choice of Chinese food or Chinese food from the 23 restaurants in the country (all Chinese), a choice of 3 hotels, chronic obesity and malnutrition (reflecting the lack of fruit and vegetables in the country, but the high reliance on imported rice), decaying infrastructure and a smile from just about everyone. For a peaceful people, you might also get to see one of the most violent ball sports - Australian rules football (reflecting the strong Australian influence as someone else pointed out), played Nauruan style (violently and on a hard earth/gravel field - blood is mandatory). You might also see several Presidents (they had 3 in a week last year) and you can attend Parliament if they're sitting (fascinating, particularly if they're changing Government again).

Personally I love Nauru and Nauruans (I'm not Nauruan), although I accept that it's not everyone's ideal place to visit.

Oh, and they've just got the flights from Nadi working again (political tensions between Fiji and Nauru). Check the Our Arline website for links

One last thing - there are beaches, but don't expect your typical Pacific Island beach. There are coral pinnacles threaded through the beaches. Still fine to swim, but a bit of care needed.

Edited by: Ageckoatemybaby

Great to have a first-hand view of Nauru, Gecko (I hope you don't mind me shortening your handle).

for Ageckoatemybaby -

I am not going to shorten your name.

Thnx for update. I am a laid back traveller so Nauru should not be a problem. btw where and how did you get Nauru tourist visa ?

Last month I was in SP and visited Fiji and Vanuatu. Hopefully I will visit SP after few months. I wonder why Nauru wants all foreigners visa in advance (As per Our Airline website) ?