Surinam

Passport validity requirements 

To enter Suriname, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Arrival Report

All travellers to and from Suriname are required to complete an Immigration and Customs Form [ICF] up to three days before arrival and departure.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements 

You can visit Suriname without a visa for tourism for up to 90 days. You must pay an entry fee of 54 US dollars before you travel. 

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must get a visa and meet the Suriname government’s entry requirements. 

It’s illegal to overstay the entry period or to work without a work permit. 

Vaccine requirements  

To enter Suriname, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. 

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Suriname guide.  

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Suriname. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into Suriname 

If you’re bringing currency with you, bring US dollars or euros. You cannot exchange British pounds. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Suriname. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Taking money into Suriname 

If you’re bringing currency with you, bring US dollars or euros. You cannot exchange British pounds. 

Emergency services in Suriname 

Telephone: 115 (ambulance, fire, police) 

or 

Ambulance: 113 

Fire: 110 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers and funeral directors in Suriname 
• dealing with a death in Suriname 
• being arrested or imprisoned in Suriname 
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime 
• what to do if you’re in hospital 
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies 

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Suriname on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences  

Illegal drugs penalties 

There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else. 

Money 

Credit cards are not widely accepted outside major hotels. Check with your hotel whether it accepts credit cards. Some cash machines in Paramaribo will accept international credit and debit cards and dispense Surinamese dollars.