Micronesia Country Specific Information

September 22, 2008

 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:  The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is composed of four states spanning dozens of atolls scattered over a million square miles of the north central Pacific.  The four states are: Pohnpei (formerly Ponape), Kosrae (formerly Kusaie), Chuuk (formerly Truk) and Yap.  The federal capital is located at Palikir, on the island of Pohnpei, close to Pohnpei’s largest town, Kolonia.  The FSM is a constitutional democracy and is party to a Compact of Free Association with the United States.  Read the Department of State Background Notes on Micronesia for additional information.

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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  U.S. citizens require a U.S. passport, a completed FSM Immigration Arrival and Departure Record (FSM Form 5004) and a completed FSM Customs Form to enter the FSM.  The passport must be valid for at least 120 days beyond the date of entry into the FSM.  Air carriers distribute the FSM Immigration Arrival and Departure Record and Customs Form prior to passengers’ arrival at the point of entry.  There is no limit to the length of time U.S. citizens and nationals may remain in the FSM.  All states except Yap levy a departure fee.  A health certificate may be required if the traveler is arriving from an area experiencing an epidemic. 

Visit the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia web site at www.fsmembassydc.org for the most current visa information.  For more information about FSM entry requirements, travelers may consult the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia at 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20038, tel: (202) 223-4383 or the Embassy’s web site at http://www.visit-fsm.org/visitors/entry.html.  The FSM also has Consulates in Honolulu and Guam.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

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SAFETY AND SECURITY:   U.S. citizens in the FSM should review their own personal security practices, be alert to any unusual activity around their homes or businesses, and report any significant incidents to local police authorities.

In the state of Yap, divers and travelers should be aware that there are approximately a dozen World War II era aerial bombs in shallow depths located in the adjacent channels of Yap harbor.  While these devices have been in place for many decades, they nonetheless are considered live and dangerous and could possibly be detonated if a diver or other object were to collide with them.  Other unexploded ordnance remains from the heavy fighting and bombardment that occurred in and around the atolls and islands of Micronesia during World War II.  American citizens are advised to exercise caution when traveling or diving in the region, particularly in the waters surrounding Yap harbor and the adjacent channels.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.  For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

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CRIME:  On occasion, foreigners have been subject to, and possibly singled out for, theft and verbal and physical abuse.  Modern Western swimwear may be considered immodest by local standards, and persons wearing such clothing outside of hotels that cater to tourists could be subject to harassment.

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INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.  The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.  Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

The local equivalents to the “911” emergency line in the FSM are:  In Chuuk, Kosrae or Yap it is 911; in Pohnpei it is 320-221 (Police or Fire Department).

See our information on Victims of Crime.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  Health care facilities in the FSM consist of hospitals on each of the four major islands and a few scattered clinics.  These facilities sometimes lack basic supplies and medicines, and the quality of health care varies.  Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific coverage for overseas treatment and medical evacuation may prove useful.  Medical evacuation for non-ambulatory patients may not be immediately available and can be very expensive.  Scuba divers are advised that there are only two decompression chambers in the FSM (in Yap and Chuuk); their availability and staff experience in treating dive injuries varies.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en.  Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the Federated States of Micronesia. 

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MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.  Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:  While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  The information below concerning Micronesia is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

In the FSM, driving is on the right-hand side of the road, as in the United States.  However, unlike most cars in the United States, the majority of vehicles in FSM have the driver’s seat situated on the right side.  Traffic, particularly in the state capitals, is increasing.  Congestion may be a problem at the beginning and end of the workday.  Most roads are narrow and without sidewalks, creating a hazard for both drivers and pedestrians.  Many roads are in poor condition, with potholes and little or no shoulder.  Road conditions can worsen after heavy rains; coral surfaces are particularly likely to be slippery. There is no formal training in road safety; so many drivers are unaware of road safety rules. Drivers’ skills vary; drivers often make turns or stop to pick up pedestrians without warning.  Roads outside the towns are often unpaved, and are used by pedestrians, children playing, animals, and drivers alike.  Streetlights are rare.  Taxis are available in state capitals, but visitors are advised to be careful, since some taxi drivers are reckless.   Drunk drivers pose serious hazards, in particular on weekend evenings and holidays.  Drivers are required by law to report immediately to local police authorities all accidents involving property damage or personal injury.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Visit the web site of the FSM’s national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety at http://www.visit-fsm.org/.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:   As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Micronesia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Micronesia’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards.  For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

Continental Airlines is the only commercial carrier serving the FSM.  Flight schedules and routes are limited and subject to change.  There may be few alternatives if flights are canceled or missed.  Flights are usually 100% booked, and aircraft weight is an issue due to short runways and the type of aircraft used.  Because of these limitations and the numerous transit stops made (the typical routing to get to Kolonia would be via Honolulu with intermediate stops in Majuro, Kwajalein and Kosrae, or via Guam with a stop in Chuuk), with exiting and arriving passengers at each location, baggage sometimes may not be loaded at the departure point or may be off-loaded by mistake and left behind at an intermediate stop.  Americans are advised to keep these logistical challenges in mind when traveling in this region. Missing baggage should be reported immediately to Continental Airlines ground personnel before onward flight departure.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:   Micronesian customs authorities assess import taxes on cigarettes, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, gasoline, and other personal items that exceed specified amounts.  All imports are subject to physical inspection by customs officials.  There are strict quarantine regulations restricting entry of plant and animal products.  It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Micronesia in Washington or one of Micronesia's consulates in Honolulu or Guam for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Please see our Customs Information.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.  Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than those in the United States for similar offenses.  Persons violating Micronesian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.  Penalties for possession or use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Micronesia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.  Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.  Please see our information on Criminal Penalties. 

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CHILDREN'S ISSUES:  For information, see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction. 

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REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION:   Americans living or traveling in the Federated States of Micronesia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Micronesia.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. 

The U.S. Embassy in Kolonia does not issue U.S. passports; it accepts passport applications from persons living or traveling in the FSM and forwards them to the Honolulu Passport Agency in Hawaii for processing.  The U.S. Passport Office in Guam does not issue U.S. passports, but it does accept passport applications and forwards them to Hawaii for processing.

The U.S. Embassy is located on Kaselehlie Street (the main downtown street) across from the Pohnpei Botanical Gardens.  The mailing address is PO Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941. The telephone number is (691) 320-2187.  The Duty Officer phone number is (691) 920-2369.  The fax number is (691) 320-2186.  The U.S. Embassy’s web site can be accessed at http://kolonia.usembassy.gov/.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Micronesia dated March 14, 2008, to update the section on Information on Victims of Crime and Medical Facilities and Health Information.

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