Marshall Islands Visa Guide 2026: Visa-Free Rules and On-Arrival Access

(MARSHALL ISLANDS) Visitors heading to the Marshall Islands in 2026 face few surprises: Americans still get visa-free entry for short trips, while many others receive a visa on arrival at Majuro International Airport or approved ports. The main shift is stricter checks at the counter, especially for funds, onward travel, and health papers.

Travelers who arrive unprepared risk delays, extra questioning, or being refused entry on the spot. Families, divers, aid workers, and business visitors all feel the impact because flights are limited and rebooking can be expensive. Getting your documents right before you fly matters more than ever.

Entry lanes: nationality and trip length

The Republic of the Marshall Islands keeps three main lanes for visitors:

• Lane 1 — Visa-free: Citizens of the United States (US), Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia, generally for stays up to 90 days.
• Lane 2 — Visa on arrival: Many partners, including Australia, Canada, the EU, the UK, and New Zealand, usually for 30 days.
• Lane 3 — Advance visa: Required for everyone else (apply before travel).

No e-visa system operates as of early 2026, so plan for paper forms and in-person checks. VisaVerge.com reports that the biggest delays come from missing documents at arrival, not from long government processing. You’ll save stress by building a file before you fly.

Passport, pages, and transit pitfalls (before you book)

• Passport validity: Must be valid for at least six months beyond arrival.
• Blank pages: Officials expect at least two blank visa pages. Amendment pages at the back don’t count.
• If you’re short on pages, renew before travel, because airlines often refuse boarding when entry rules are not met.

Many travelers reach Majuro via Guam or Hawaii. If your routing transits the United States and you are not a U.S. citizen, you may need authorization before boarding. Use the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection portal to apply for ESTA travel authorization for Visa Waiver Program transit and tourism.

The 2026 entry file: what to carry in your hand

Whether you qualify for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival, the inspection desk is where most trips succeed or fail. Connectivity can be weak, so bring printed copies. Officers often ask for these items, and they expect them quickly.

• Passport meeting the six-month and blank-page rules.
• Proof of onward or return travel.
• Proof of funds to cover your stay; immigration officers increasingly look for roughly US$100 per day.
• Accommodation details and a simple itinerary.
• Health paperwork if your stay exceeds 30 days or if asked, including a certificate showing you are free from HIV, TB, and other communicable diseases.
• Police clearance certificate dated within the last three months, if requested.

Important: Officers work from physical documents at the desk. Relying on phone screenshots risks delay if batteries fail or connectivity is poor.

Visa-free entry: steps for U.S. citizens and Micronesian partners

1. Before departure (1–2 weeks out): Check passport validity and print your return ticket and hotel booking.
2. Arrival day (15–30 minutes): Expect questions about your purpose and funds, plus biometric scans at the airport.
3. During your stay (up to 90 days): Tourist and short business visits are allowed, but paid work is not.
4. If plans change: Visit the Immigration Office in Majuro to request extra time or a status change before day 90.

Americans traveling under the Compact of Free Association have a different pathway for longer-term living and working; that is separate from short visitor stays.

Visa on arrival: procedure for Australia, Canada, EU/UK, New Zealand

The visa on arrival program remains in place as of January 2026 and is issued at Majuro’s counter. Plan for 15–30 minutes in light traffic and longer waits in June–August and December. You usually receive a visitor stamp for 30 days once officers are satisfied with your documents.

Step-by-step:

1. At the counter: Complete the arrival form, present two passport photos, and state your purpose in a short cover letter if asked.
2. Pay the fee: US$100 for a visitor visa or US$300 for a business visa.
3. Answer screening questions: Officers can request a police clearance and a health certificate, and they will check your onward ticket and funds.
4. Receive the stamp: Confirm the permitted stay dates before you leave the desk, then keep a copy with your passport.
5. Depart properly: Pay the US$20 departure tax if you are aged 13–59, unless you hold diplomatic status.

Applying in advance: the 14-working-day lane

Nationals who are not eligible for visa on arrival must apply before travel through the Director of Immigration in Majuro.

• Processing time: Government quotes up to 14 working days; peak months may extend waits.
• Paper-based: Build in mailing time and keep copies of everything you submit.
• Documentation: Same core evidence as airport applicants, plus any supporting letters explaining the trip.

Immigration tightened checks in 2025 after cases where people entered as tourists but worked. A clear itinerary and proof of accommodation reduce questioning at arrival.

Business, work, and enforcement

• Business visa: For meetings, conferences, and market visits. Does not allow paid employment. Fee: US$300. Applicants should carry an invitation letter from a Marshallese company listing activities and dates. Officials screen for “remote work” attempts that function like local employment.
• Work authorization: Requires a job offer and local sponsorship through the Labor Department, along with a medical exam and police clearance. Processing often runs beyond 30 days. Employers should start early—shortages reported in tourism and fisheries increase demand.

Extensions, overstays, and longer residence options

• Extensions: Visitor stays can be extended at the Immigration Office in Majuro. Standard extension adds 60 days for US$10. Visitor time is capped at 90 days total.
• Overstay fines: Start at US$10 per day; repeated violations can lead to deportation.
• If you miss your flight: Act before permission expires—late extension requests begin the case with a strike against you. Keep receipts for any fees paid.

For residence beyond visitor limits, authorities point applicants toward residence permits, and investor or retiree pathways:

• Guideposts include US$50,000+ in investment proof for some long-stay categories, and US$100,000 in approved sectors for residence permits tied to projects.
• These tracks involve deeper background checks and are not handled at the airport.

Health screening and arrival-day realities in 2026

COVID-era entry rules ended in 2024, but health screening continues.

• Travelers arriving from cholera-infected areas must show vaccination proof.
• Yellow fever certificates apply when arriving from endemic zones.
• For longer stays, TB and HIV testing has become routine, reflecting public health priorities in small island communities.

At the desk, officials may take biometric scans and ask direct questions about where you will stay, who you will meet, and how you will pay. Answer plainly and provide physical documents when possible.

Practical timeline from planning to departure

Most travelers do best with a simple schedule. Start early if you need an advance visa; less lead time is needed for visa-free or visa-on-arrival travelers.

• T-6 weeks: Confirm eligibility, collect police and health certificates, and book flights.
• T-2 weeks: Print tickets, lodging proof, and funds evidence; check you have two blank passport pages.
• Departure day: Carry cash for fees and taxes, and keep documents in your carry-on, not checked baggage.

Warning: Limited flights to Majuro make rebooking expensive. Arrive prepared to avoid delays and unexpected costs.