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Marshall Islands
Country Specific Information
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September 14, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
The Republic of the Marshall Islands totals 70.5 square miles and is composed of two coral atoll chains in the Central
Pacific. The Marshall Islands is a parliamentary democracy and has signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
It has a developing agrarian and service-oriented economy. Tourist facilities are not widely available, but those that exist
are adequate. For general information, please visit the Marshall Islands' national tourist office website. The capital, Majuro, has three major hotels. Several other atolls have limited guest quarters. Read the Department of
State Background Notes on the Marshall Islands for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in the Marshall Islands are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Majuro. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Majuro does not have a street address. The U.S. Embassy is located on the ocean-side of the island's road, approximately 2 miles east of the airport. The mailing address is PO Box 1379, Majuro, MH 96960-1379. The telephone number is (692) 247-4011. The fax number is (692) 247-4012.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Visas are not required for U.S. citizens; U.S. citizens have liberal travel rights under the Compact of Free Association. There is a departure fee; diplomats are exempt. A health certificate is required for travelers arriving from an area that is currently experiencing an epidemic. For visits of over 30 days, an AIDS test may be required.
For further information on entry requirements for the Marshall Islands, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands , at 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008. The telephone number is (202) 234-5414.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' website , which contains current the Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. 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 U.S. 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 extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad .
CRIME: Travel around the Marshall Islands is, by most standards, considered safe. The Marshall Islands has a relatively low crime rate. The most common crimes are break-ins and thefts from homes, hotel rooms, and vehicles, as well as occasional random acts of vandalism. There have been a few recent but isolated incidents in which U.S. citizens and other foreigners were assaulted. Travelers are advised to keep their hotel rooms or residences locked at all times. Occasionally, fights and assaults do occur at nightclubs and bars. Visitors to those establishments, especially late in the evening, should be extra vigilant to ensure their personal security.
VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the U.S. Embassy in Majuro (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates ). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are 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 equivalent to the “911” emergency line in the Marshall Islands is: 911 or 1911.
Please see our information on Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
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 in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Marshall Islands’ laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Marshall Islands 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 .
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Currency: The Republic of the Marshall Islands uses U.S. currency. Most hotels and a few restaurants accept VISA, MasterCard and
American Express credit cards. Local telephone service as well as international long distance to anywhere worldwide is available
on Majuro and Ebeye. Internet service is also available but can be expensive and is usually dial-up.
Customs: Customs authorities of the Marshall Islands strictly prohibit the importation of firearms, ammunition, explosives and indecent publications. Certification from the Quarantine Division is required to import animals, plants and fruits. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Washington, D.C., or one of the Marshall Islands' Consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements, especially when dealing with the importation of animals into the Marshall Islands.
Communication: The Marshall Islands relies primarily on radio among the remote outer islands, which causes some communication problems.
Flights: Travelers should be aware that flights to outer islands are often cancelled, sometimes leaving visitors stranded.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Health facilities in the Marshall Islands are adequate for routine medical problems but are available only on Majuro and Ebeye. Majuro has a private clinic and a new public hospital. Ebeye has a public hospital. Most outer islands have medical dispensaries. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. However, medical restrictions generally do not apply to U.S. citizens entering the Marshall Islands. Please verify this information with the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands at www.rmiembassyus.org before you travel.
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 (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information .
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether their policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page .
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 the Marshall Islands is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Majuro atoll has only one road. The road is paved, but there are few traffic signs and no traffic lights. Drivers should be alert for animals roaming the streets and children darting into the road. Drinking and driving is common, especially on the weekends, so drivers should use caution. Walking beside the street can be dangerous due to poor lighting, absence of sidewalks and drivers who may have been drinking and driving.
Vehicle traffic proceeds slowly, rarely over 25 miles per hour. Some roads experience temporary flooding after heavy rains. Since there are few streetlights, visibility is poor and night driving requires special caution. For specific information concerning drivers’ permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Republic of the Marshall Islands' Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of the Marshall Islands' national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the Marshall Islands’ Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the Marshall Islands’ air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for the Marshall Islands dated March 3, 2009, without substantive changes.
