Micronesia: visa and entry rules

Micronesia's borders: every crossing point

The country has no land borders — these are islands.

All entry is by air or by sea. The airports of Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae; the main flow comes on flights via Guam.

There are few flights, and they shape a trip more than the visa rules do. Most countries in the region are reached via Fiji, Australia or New Zealand, and connections come round only once every few days.

Movement between the islands within the country is by light aircraft and boat, with no border formalities involved.

The Island Hopper flight via the Marshall Islands and Guam is the main way of getting here, and it operates several times a week.

Bringing a car into Micronesia

You cannot drive here overland — there are no land borders.

Tourists get around in rental cars, and the fleet is small: it is worth booking ahead.

Traffic drives on the right.

A local temporary driving permit is often required — it is issued on the spot for a small fee.

Ask customs directly how temporary import into Micronesia is handled. The procedure changes, and reference sources do not keep up with it.

Travelling to Micronesia with a pet

The rules are strict: island states protect their own ecosystems, and biosecurity here is tougher than immigration control.

The import permit is arranged in advance, and the requirements depend on the country the animal is coming from.

The rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry.

Quarantine is applied.

Start the import paperwork for Micronesia a month ahead. Find out the timescales and requirements straight away — there is no catching up just before the flight.

Overstaying your visa in Micronesia

A fine is charged for exceeding your permitted stay and is paid on departure.

You will have to pay at the border, and that is also where you will be told how much. The sum cannot be established in Micronesia in advance, so do not book a tight connection and keep cash on you.

An extension is arranged in advance, before your permitted stay expires.

Infrequent flights are a risk in themselves. Overstays here happen not through bad intent but because the next plane is in four days: plan your departure with a margin.