Vanuatu - Consular Information Sheet
July 9, 1993

Country Description:  Vanuatu consists of 80 islands located in a Y-shaped 
archipelago, 1300 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia. It is an independent 
parliamentary democracy and member of the British Commonwealth, with a 
primarily agricultural economy.  The capital is Port Vila, located on the 
island of Efate.

Entry Requirements:  A passport and an onward/return ticket is required.  
Visas are not required for stays of up to 30 days. For further information, 
travelers may consult the British Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 462-1340 or British consulates in 
Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, New York, Cleveland and Houston.

Medical facilities: Medical facilities and services are adequate, but 
limited.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for 
health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the 
United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas 
coverage has proved useful.  Additional information on health matters can be 
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers 
hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Information on crime:  Major crime is rare in Vanuatu.  Petty crimes against 
property are fairly common.  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport 
should be reported immediately to the local police, and the nearest U.S. 
embassy or consulate.  Useful information on guarding valuables and 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the 
Department of State pamphlet   "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is available from 
the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington 
D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the 
country in which they travel.  Penalties for possession, use and trafficking 
in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail 
sentences and fines.

Registration:  Americans who register at the U.S. Embassy at Port Moresby in 
Papua New Guinea, or with the U.S. Consul in Honiara, Solomon Islands, may 
obtain updated information on travel and security in the area.

Embassy Location:  Because there is no U.S. embassy or other diplomatic post 
in Vanuatu, Americans seeking assistance may contact the U.S. Embassy in 
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, which is located on Armit Street.  There is 
also a U.S. Consul resident in Honiara, Solomon Islands.  The mailing 
address is c/o American Embassy, P.O. Box 561, Honiara, Solomon Islands, 
tel. (677) 23-890.

No. 93-196

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet issued on November 13, 1992 to 
include information on reporting the loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport.