United States Compact of Free Association

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau may enter, live and work in the United States as nonimmigrants without a visa, under the Compacts of Free Association. ^{1 2 3 4}

Requirements

• The applicant is a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands or Palau, born a citizen or a former Trust Territory citizen. ^{1 2}
• Some long-term naturalised citizens of these states also qualify, if they lived there at least 5 years and hold a certificate of actual residence. ^{1 2}
• People who take a step to keep or acquire another citizenship (Palau) or hold citizenship bought through an investment programme (Micronesia) do not qualify. ^{1 2}
• Admitted persons must be able to show sufficient means of support in the United States, or they may be deportable. ¹
• A valid Micronesian or Marshallese passport with a Form I-94 showing admission under the Compact proves identity and work authorisation. ^{4 1}
• Admission is without regard to the labour certification and nonimmigrant visa requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. ^{1 2}
• The Immigration and Nationality Act otherwise applies, including the grounds of inadmissibility and deportability. ¹
• The Compact does not give the right to the residence needed for naturalisation, but it does not stop an application for permanent resident status. ^{1 2}

Stay

• Admitted as a nonimmigrant with no fixed end date set in the Compact; the time of admission is set by US regulations.

Nationality

Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. Open to: FM, MH, PW.

Work

Persons admitted under the Compact are treated as having permission to accept employment in the United States.

Family

Under the Micronesia and Marshall Islands compacts, immediate relatives (a spouse or unmarried child under 21) of covered citizens can be admitted in set cases.

Checked 2026-10-10

Official sources

1. Public Law 108-188 - Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (Compacts with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, Section 141) · U.S. Government Publishing Office · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2003-12-17
2. Public Law 99-658 - Palau Compact of Free Association (Section 141) · U.S. Government Publishing Office · checked 2026-10-10 · published 1986-11-14
3. Public Law 118-42 - Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 · U.S. Government Publishing Office · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2024-03-09
4. Handbook for Employers M-274: Acceptable documents for verifying employment authorization and identity · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-10