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Updated to reflect information on election-related civil unrest.
Exercise increase caution in Comoros due to crime and civil unrest.
Protests occur spontaneously in Comoros and are typically motivated by political factors.
Most protests occur in Moroni, and some have turned violent. Protesters have also engaged in the destruction of property.
The U.S. Government requires its personnel to obtain prior approval for travel to Comoros, and special permission is also required for U.S. officials to travel by boat or air between any of the country’s three islands. The U.S. embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar has no ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Comoros.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Comoros.
If you decide to travel to Comoros:
Must be valid at time of entry
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Yes, available upon arrival
None
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Lot 207 A, Point Liberty
Andranoro, Antehiroka
105 Antananarivo
Madagascar
Telephone: +( 261) (20) 23-480-00
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: (261) (20) 23-480-00
Fax: +(261) (20) 22-584-06
Email: AntanACS@state.gov or AntanVISA@state.gov
Requirements for Entry:
Visas: Visas are available upon arrival. Visit the Mission of the Union of the Comoros to the United Nations website for the most current visa information.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Comoros.
Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.
Comoros has experienced occasional strikes and civil unrest, resulting in violent clashes between police and demonstrators.
Precautions:
Piracy: Small craft on the open seas are vulnerable to attack. See MARAD's page for advisories.
Marine hazards: Be aware of jellyfish, coral, and sea urchins when swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving. Currents can be strong in the Mozambique channel and riptides exist on some beaches.
Crime: The most commonly reported crimes are petty crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing.
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.
Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy.
Report crimes to the local police at 17, 18 for the Gendarmerie; and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(261) (20) 23-480-00.
Remember local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
We can:
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
For further information:
Tourism: No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs result in a mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence and heavy fines. You may be fined or possibly imprisoned for public intoxication. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Photography: It is illegal to take pictures of government buildings, military installations, and other key infrastructure such as ports, train stations, and airports. You could be fined, have your photographic equipment confiscated, and risk detention and arrest. Do not take photos of Comorians without permission.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information. The U.S. Embassy in Madagascar provides consular assistance; there is no full-time official U.S. presence in Comoros.
Clothing: Comorians dress conservatively. Shorts or short sleeves should be avoided, except at the beach.
Phone Service: Cellular phones are the norm, as other telephone service is unreliable and landlines are nearly non-existent. It may be possible to purchase a SIM card locally and use a GSM-compatible cell phone. Cellular data packages, at 2G or 3G speeds, are also available for purchase.
Currency: The Comorian Franc (KMF) is the official currency. This is a cash society; credit cards are not widely accepted. There are three banks on the island to exchange currency.
Utilities Outages:
Faith-Based Travelers: Reports of religious-based violence are rare. Proselytizing or the public practice of non-Sunni Muslim religious ceremonies is against the law in the Comoros. See our following webpages for details:
LGBTI Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in the Union of the Comoros and are punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to 2,300 USD. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Persons with disabilities face limited access to transportation, communication, accommodations, and public buildings. There are few sidewalks and no curb-cuts, and most buildings lack functioning elevators.
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: Sexual harassment is illegal and punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Such harassment is a common problem, and the government does not effectively enforce penalties against it. Rape is illegal and punishable by imprisonment for five to 10 years or up to 15 years if the victim is younger than 15 years of age. The government enforces the laws on rape with some effectiveness if survivors pursue charges.
See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
Consult the CDC website for the Comoros prior to travel.
Medical care is limited on all three islands, including Grande Comore. There are private facilties requiring advance membership.
Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.
We do not pay medical bills. You are responsible for all medical costs.
Medical Insurance: If your health insurance plan does not provide coverage overseas, we strongly recommend supplemental medical insurance and medical evacuation plans.
The following diseases are prevelant:
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Further health information:
Road Conditions and Safety: Some urban roads are paved, but most, including rural roads, are not and are poorly maintained. Roads are very narrow, poorly lit, full of potholes, and have dangerous curves. Do not drive more than 30 miles an hour. Pedestrians and drivers should exercise extreme caution after dark. Professional roadside assistance service is not available.
Traffic Laws: You will need an international driving permit to drive in Comoros. Drivers and front seat passengers are required to wear seat belts.
Public Transportation: Taxi or a rental car with driver are preferable to public transportation.
See our Road Safety page for more information.
Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Comoros, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Comoros’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Comoros should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the Maritime Security Communications with Industry Web Portal. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and as a broadcast warning on the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s website.
Travel between the islands by boat is common but is poorly regulated. Boats may be overcrowded and lack safety equipment resulting is capsized vessels and fatalities. Death by drowning is common. Use only commercially licensed ferry services which are equipped with adequate safety devices, and ship-to-shore communications.
Port Security: The Commandant of the Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Comoros ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Comoros. Mariners and passengers on commercial vessels traveling through the ports of Comoros should exercise increased caution.
Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.
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