June 29, 2004

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, constitutionally in 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. Both the capital of Majuro and Ebeye, the country's second most populous island, have hotels. Several other atolls have limited guest quarters.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Visas are not required for U.S. citizens. A valid passport, sufficient funds for a stay, and an onward/return ticket are required for stays up to 30 days (visas may be extended for up to 90 days from the date of entry). There is a departure fee. A health certificate is required if you are arriving from an area that is currently experiencing an epidemic. For visits 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, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. The telephone number is (202) 234-5414 and their web site is http://www.rmiembassyus.org/.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

DUAL NATIONALITY: In addition to being subject to all of the Marshall Islands' laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on citizens of the Marshall Islands. U.S. citizens may obtain dual nationality at the discretion of the Cabinet of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. For more information, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. For additional information on Dual Nationality, consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site, http://travel.state.gov, for our Dual Nationality flyer.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Overall, travel around the Marshall Islands is safe. There is no political violence nor have any terrorist or insurgency threats been identified. Travelers should be aware that flights are often cancelled, sometimes leaving visitors stranded on outlying islands. The Marshall Islands’ primary reliance on radio for communication among the islands causes some communication problems.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov/ where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

CRIME: The Marshall Islands has a relatively low crime rate. The most common crimes are break-ins and thefts from homes, hotel rooms, and vehicles. There are occasional random acts of vandalism.

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, to 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.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad” for ways to promote a trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health facilities in the Marshall Islands are adequate for routine medical problems, but they are available only on Majuro and Ebeye. Majuro has a private clinic and a public hospital. Ebeye has a new 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.

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 if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the United States may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure,“Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page: http://travel.state.gov

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: 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); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

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 it may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Majuro atoll has a paved road, but there are few traffic signs and no traffic lights. Drivers should be alert for animals roaming the streets and children darting onto the roads. 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 and drivers who have been drinking and driving.

After heavy rains, some roads experience temporary flooding. Vehicle traffic proceeds slowly, rarely over 25 miles per hour. Since visibility is poor with few streetlights, night driving requires special caution. For specific information concerning driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Republic of the Marshall Islands' Embassy in Washington, D.C.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ civil aviation authority as Category 1 –- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA’s Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: The Marshall Islands customs authorities strictly prohibit the importation of firearms, ammunition, explosives and indecent publications. Certification from the Quarantine Division is required for importing 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.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003/special301.htm.

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 the 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 possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in the Marshall Islands are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to going abroad.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of 16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things, the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime to use any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of 16.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The Republic of the Marshall Islands uses U.S. currency. Most hotels and a few restaurants accept VISA and MasterCard.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone the Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747. The OCS call center can answer general inquiries regarding international adoptions and will forward calls to the appropriate country officer in the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Operators are available at this number from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting the Marshall Islands are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Majuro. The U.S. Embassy does not have a street address in Majuro. The Embassy is located on the ocean-side of the island's road approximately 2 mile east of the airport. The U.S. Embassy's mailing address is P.O. Box 1379, Majuro, MH 96960-1379. The telephone number is (692) 247-4011. The fax number is (692) 247-4012. The U.S. Embassy webpage is http://usembassy.state.gov/majuro/.

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 2, 2003, to update the sections on Country Description, Safety and Security, Crime, Children’s Issues and Registration/Embassy Location.

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