Dominica - Consular Information Sheet - September 14, 1999

Country Description: Dominica is a developing island nation. The tourist industry is not highly developed.

Entry Requirements: U.S. citizens may enter Dominica without a passport for tourist stays up to three months, but must carry an original document proving U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, photo identification, and a return/onward ticket. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Dominica, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015, telephone (202) 364-6781, or the Consulate of the Commonwealth of Dominica in New York.

Medical Facilities: Medical care is limited. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the U.S. In some cases, supplementary medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proved useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-888-232-3228, or the CDC's toll-free autofax service, 1-888-232-3299, or via the Internet http://www.cdc.gov.

Crime Information: Petty street crime occurs. Valuables left unattended on beaches are subject to theft. Availability and use of illegal drugs are increasing.

The loss or theft of a U.S. passport overseas should be reported to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Lost or stolen U.S. birth certificates and/or driver's licenses used as entry documents generally cannot be replaced outside the United States. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, which provides useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad. Both this pamphlet and Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Criminal penalties for possession, use, and dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines.

Traffic Safety/Road Conditions: Vehicles travel on the left, and traffic approaches from the right. Roads are narrow with steep inclines/declines throughout the island. Road conditions vary from fair to poor with few guardrails in areas that have precipitous drop-offs from the road.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Dominica's civil aviation authority as Category 2 -- not in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Dominica's air carrier operations. While consultations to correct the deficiencies are ongoing, Dominica's air carriers are permitted to conduct limited operations in the U.S. subject to heightened FAA surveillance. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at telephone 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) does not permit its personnel to use air carriers from Category 2 countries for official business except for flights originating from or terminating in the U.S., or in extenuating circumstances. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.

CHILDREN’S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/chidren’s issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.

EMBASSY LOCATION/REGISTRATION: The U.S. does not maintain an embassy in Dominica. U.S. citizens requiring assistance can contact the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados; telephone (246) 436-4950. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located in the American Life Insurance Company (ALICO) Building, Cheapside, Bridgetown; telephone (246) 431-0225. Americans may register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown and obtain updated information on travel and security in Dominica and in the region.

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 14, 1998, to include a section on children’s issues.

Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings