Moving to Kiribati: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

111,796

Population Growth Rate

1.21%

Urban Population

43.900000

Population in Major Urban Areas

TARAWA (capital) 44,000

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Age Structure

30.160000

Median Age

23.200000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

22

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

7.24

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.63

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

22.3%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

22.3%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-2.86

Ethnic Groups

predominantly Micronesian with some Polynesian

Nationality Noun

I-Kiribati (singular and plural)

Literacy Definition

NA

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

12%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

12.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

65.110000

Infant Mortality Rate

36.500000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

36.500000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

9

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.38

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.3

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

10.1%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

46%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

87.400000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

51.200000

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Economic Overview

A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries.

Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted by the time of independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.

Earnings from fishing licenses and seafarer remittances are important sources of income.

Although the number of seafarers employed declined due to changes in global shipping demands, remittances are expected to improve with more overseas temporary and seasonal work opportunities for Kiribati nationals.

Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets.

The public sector dominates economic activity, with ongoing capital projects in infrastructure including road rehabilitation, water and sanitation projects, and renovations to the international airport, spurring some growth.

Public debt increased from 23% of GDP at the end of 2015 to 25.8% in 2016.

Kiribati is dependent on foreign aid, which was estimated to have contributed over 32.7% in 2016 to the government’s finances.

The country’s sovereign fund, the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), which is held offshore, had an estimated balance of $855.5 million in late July 2016.

The RERF seeks to avoid exchange rate risk by holding investments in more than 20 currencies, including the Australian dollar, US dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Euro.

Drawdowns from the RERF helped finance the government’s annual budget.

Industries

fishing, handicrafts

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.8%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$270,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$2,200.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.8%

GDP - official exchange rate

$164,000,000 (USD)

GDP by Sector- agriculture

26.3%

GDP by Sector- Industry

9.2%

GDP by Sector- services

64.5%

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Inflation Rate

0.2%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Australian dollar (AUD)

Currency Name and Code

Australian Dollar (AUD)

Fiscal Year

NA

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Labor Force

7,870

Unemployment Rate

2%

Major Industries

fishing, handicrafts

Agriculture Products

copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

2.7%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

32%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

65.3%

Annual Budget

$55,520,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-29.8%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

32.1%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Kiribati note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss

Country Name

Kiribati

Local - Long

Republic of Kiribati

Local - Short

Kiribati

Pronunciation

keer-ree-bahss

Former Name

Gilbert Islands

Etymology- history of name

the name is the local pronunciation of "Gilberts," the former designation of the islands; originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788

Independence

12 July 1979 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 12 July (1979)

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Government Type

presidential republic

Constitution

• history: The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975 (preindependence); latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence)
• amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; passage of amendments affecting the constitutional section on amendment procedures and parts of the constitutional chapter on citizenship requires deferral of the proposal to the next Assembly meeting where approval is required by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and support of the nominated or elected Banaban member of the Assembly; amendments affecting the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms also requires approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2018

Legal System:

English common law supplemented by customary law

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• head of government: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among House of Assembly members
• elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote following nomination of candidates from among House of Assembly members for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 22 June 2020 (next to be held in 2024); vice president appointed by the president
• election results: 2020: Taneti MAAMAU reelected president; percent of vote - Taneti MAAMAU (TKB) 59.3%, Banuera BERINA (BKM) 40.7%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two-rounds if needed; 1 member appointed by the Rabi Council of Leaders - representing Banaba Island, and 1 ex officio member - the attorney general; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: legislative elections originally scheduled to be held in two rounds on 7 and 15 April 2020 but rescheduled for 14 and 21 April (next to be held in 2024)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party (second round) - NA; seats by party (second round) - TKB 21, BKM 21, 2 independents;
• Composition: 42 men, 3 women; percentage of women 6.7%

Judicial Branch:

• office: chief justice appointed by the president on the advice of the cabinet in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC); other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice along with the PSC
• subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; magistrates' courts

Regions or States:

3 geographical units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions, but there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party (Supporting Kiribati First) or BKM [Tessie LAMBOURNE]
• Tobwaan Kiribati Party (Embracing Kiribati) or TKP [Taneti MAAMAU]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Kiribati dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 7 years

Capital Name

Tarawa

Capital - geographic coordinate

1 21 N, 173 02 E

Capital Time Difference

• note: Kiribati has three time
• zones: the Gilbert Islands group at UTC+12, the Phoenix Islands at UTC+13, and the Line Islands at UTC+14

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International Organization Participation:

• ABEDA
• ACP
• ADB
• AOSIS
• FAO
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IOC
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• OPCW
• PIF
• Sparteca
• SPC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNDP
• UNESCO
• UPU
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Teburoro TITO (since 24 January 2018)
• Chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1109, New York, NY 10017
• Telephone: [1] (212) 867-3310
• FAX: [1] (212) 867-3320
• Email: Kimission.newyork@mfa.gov.ki

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Geographic Location

Oceania

Geographic Coordinates

1 25 N, 173 00 E

Total Area

313 Square Miles 811 Square Kilometers

Land Area

313 Square Miles 811 Square Kilometers

Coastline

710 Miles 1,143 Kilometers

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Terrain

mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs

Highest Point

81 Meters

Highest Point Location

unnamed location on Banaba 81 m

Lowest Point Location

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)

Time Zone

• note: Kiribati has three time
• zones: the Gilbert Islands group at UTC+12, the Phoenix Islands at UTC+13, and the Line Islands at UTC+14

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Climate

tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds

Terrain

mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs

Location

Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator, as well as the International Date Line

the capital Tarawa is about half way between Hawaii and Australia

Total Area

313 Square Miles 811 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping

ground water at risk

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$17,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$62,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish

Major Imports

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel

Top Export Partners

Japan 54.3%, South Korea 17.1%, Thailand 17.1%

Top Import Partners

France 30.1%, Australia 27.7%, Fiji 13.3%, Japan 9.6%, US 4.8%

Export Partners

Japan 54.3%, South Korea 17.1%, Thailand 17.1%

Import Partners

France 30.1%, Australia 27.7%, Fiji 13.3%, Japan 9.6%, US 4.8%

Country Description

The Republic of Kiribati (pronounced kir-ree-bas) is an island group in the Western Pacific Ocean.

It consists of three archipelagos totaling 33 mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs, with a total land area of 800 square kilometers.

Kiribati gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979.

Kiribati has an elected president and a legislative assembly.

The capital city is Tarawa.

Kiribati has few natural resources, and its economy is very small.

Kiribati does have small but growing niche markets for fishing, especially at Christmas Island, diving, surfing and bird watching.

Tourist facilities are not widely available.

Safety & Security

Emergency numbers in Kiribati: The general emergency equivalent to “911” is 999.

You can also reach individual emergency services by directly dialing 992 for police, 993 for fire, and 994 for ambulance.

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Crime

Although the crime rate in Kiribati is low, visitors should not be complacent regarding their personal safety or protecting valuables.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Kiribati, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In Kiribati, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

It is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Kiribati, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

Health care throughout Kiribati, including Tarawa, is substandard.

Medication and supplies are limited and hospital accommodations are inadequate throughout the country.

Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization or evacuation to the United States or elsewhere may cost thousands of dollars.

If a person dies in Kiribati, there are no funeral homes with embalming or cremation services.

If a relative wishes to return their deceased family member to the United States, there will be additional requirements needed to prepare the deceased member for travel.

These requirements depend on the cause of death.

The only international air connections in Kiribati are a weekly flight connecting Kiritimati (Christmas) Island to Honolulu and two weekly connections between Tarawa and Fiji.

Air Kiribati provides rare flights between the islands of Kiribati.

A serious medical condition could require an expensive medical evacuation.

All water should be regarded as a potential health risk.

Visitors should refrain from drinking any water that is not bottled, boiled, or otherwise sterilized.

Vegetables should be cooked and fruit should be peeled before being eaten.

Traffic Safety

While in Kiribati, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Traffic moves on the left side of the road in Kiribati.

Roads in urban Tarawa and Christmas Island, while satisfactory in some areas, are generally in need of repair.

After heavy rains, some road sections experience temporary flooding.

Vehicle traffic proceeds at a relatively slow rate.

Drinking and driving is a common practice, especially on the weekends.

Since visibility is poor with no streetlights, drivers should be especially careful when driving at night.

For specific information concerning Kiribati drivers’ permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Consulate of the Republic of Kiribati in Honolulu, Hawaii at (808) 834-6775.

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Airports - total

19

Airports with Paved Runways

4

Roadways- total

416 Miles 670 Kilometers

Waterways

3 Miles 5 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Banaba, Betio, English Harbour, Kanton

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Telephones

4,000

Cell Phones

700

Internet Users

2,000

Internet Country Code

.ki

Internet Hosts

31

Broadcast Media

• 1 TV broadcast station that provides about 1 hour of local programming Monday-Friday
• multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations
• 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave

Telephone System

• assessment: generally good quality national and international service
• domestic: wire line service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; wireless service available in Tarawa since 1999
• international: country code - 686; Kiribati is being linked to the Pacific Ocean Cooperative Telecommunications Network, which should improve telephone service; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

13,020,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

14,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

300

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Anthem History

"Teirake kaini Kiribati", adopted upon 1979 independence from Great Britian. Words and Music by: Urium Tamuera Ioteba

Anthem Lyrics

Teirake kaini Kiribati Teirake kaini Kiribati, Anene ma te kakatonga, Tauraoi nakon te nwioko, Ma ni buokia aomata.

Tauaninne n te raoiroi, Tangiria aoma ta nako.

Tauaninne n te raoiroi, Tangiria aomata.

Reken te kabaia ma te rau Ibuakoia kaain abara Bon reken abara Bon reken te nano ae banin Ma te i-tangitangiri naba.

Ma ni wakina te kab'aia, Ma n neboa abara.

Ma ni wakina te kab'aia, Ma n neboa abara.

Ti butiko ngkoe Atuara Kawakinira ao kairika Nakon taai aika i maira.

Buokira ni baim ae akoi.

Kakabaia ara Tautaeka Ma ake a makuri iai.

Kakabaia ara Tautaeka Ma aomata ni bane.

Anthem Lyrics English

Stand up, Kiribati!

Sing with jubilation!

Prepare to accept responsibility And to help each other!

Be steadfastly righteous!

Love all our people!

Be steadfastly righteous!

Love all our people!

The attainment of contentment And peace by our people Will be achieved when all Our hearts beat as one, Love one another!

Promote happiness and unity!

Love one another!

Promote happiness and unity!

We beseech You, O God, To protect and lead us In the days to come.

Help us with Your loving hand.

Bless our Government And all our people!

Bless our Government And all our people!