United States Visa RequirementsFor Palau passport holders
Palau is a Compact of Free Association (COFA) nation. Citizens of Palau can enter, reside, work, and study in the United States and its territories indefinitely without a visa. No ESTA or visa is required. Present a valid Palauan passport at any US port of entry.
Great news! Palau passport holders can enter United States without a visa for tourism or business purposes.
No visa, no ESTA, and no advance application are required for Palauan citizens entering the United States. Present a valid Palauan passport at any US port of entry. CBP officers will process your entry under the COFA framework. Palauan citizens may enter at any US port of entry including airports and land borders.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
Yes
Required Documents
Valid Passport
Your Palauan passport valid for the duration of your US visit. Note that Palau has a special relationship with the US under the Compact of Free Association.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of your planned departure from the United States.
Proof of Accommodation
Hotel bookings or confirmation of where you will stay.
Sufficient Funds
Evidence of adequate financial means for your stay.
Completed I-94 or CBP Form
Complete the required entry form at US Customs and Border Protection.
Current Travel Situation
Palau to United States: What You Need to Know
Palau (officially the Republic of Palau) is a sovereign island nation in the western Pacific with a unique relationship with the United States. Under the Compact of Free Association signed in 1994 and subsequently renewed, Palauan citizens have the right to freely enter, live, work, and study in the United States, its territories, and its possessions without a visa.
This arrangement is part of a broader agreement in which Palau cedes certain defense responsibilities to the United States in exchange for economic assistance and freedom of movement. It is not a visa waiver; it is a treaty-based right of entry that is more expansive than the Visa Waiver Program.
Palauan citizens do not need to apply for any advance authorization. They present their Palauan passport at the US port of entry and are admitted under the COFA framework. There is no maximum stay period enforced as with a tourist visa.
The COFA does not automatically lead to US permanent residence or citizenship, but Palauan citizens in the US may be eligible to apply for certain immigration benefits. The COFA applies to citizens of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
How to Get There
Palau is served by Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR) in Koror. Connections to the United States mainland typically go through Manila, Tokyo, or Guam. From Guam, onward flights to Honolulu and mainland US cities are available. Travel time from Palau to Los Angeles is approximately 14 to 18 hours with connections. United Airlines serves the Guam-US mainland route.
Money & Banking
The United States dollar (USD) is the official currency of Palau, so Palauan travelers face no currency conversion when arriving in the US. US bank cards work normally throughout the United States. Daily costs in US cities vary widely: approximately $100 to $150 in smaller cities, $150 to $300 in New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. Tipping 18 to 20 percent is expected in US restaurants.
Practical Tips
Palau uses the US dollar, so no currency conversion is needed. Palauan communities in the US are concentrated in Hawaii and Guam. Mainland US destinations popular with Pacific Islander communities include Hawaii, California, and Oregon. Emergency: 911. COFA citizens are eligible for some but not all US federal benefit programs; check with USCIS for current eligibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Palau citizens need a US visa?
No. Palau is a Compact of Free Association (COFA) nation, and its citizens have the treaty right to freely enter, live, work, and study in the United States without a visa. Palauan citizens present their valid Palauan passport at any US port of entry and are admitted under the COFA framework.
What is the Compact of Free Association and why does it give Palauans free US access?
The Compact of Free Association is a treaty between the United States and three Pacific island nations: Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Under the Compact, these nations cede certain defense and security responsibilities to the US in exchange for economic assistance and freedom of movement for their citizens. The arrangement was negotiated as the US ended its administration of these islands after World War II.
Can Palauan citizens work in the United States?
Yes. Palauan citizens can freely enter and work in the United States without a work visa or employer sponsorship. This is one of the most expansive labor access arrangements available to foreign nationals in the US.
Does COFA status lead to US permanent residence or citizenship?
No, not automatically. COFA status grants freedom of movement and work rights but does not automatically lead to US permanent residence (green card) or US citizenship. Palauan citizens who wish to become US permanent residents must apply through standard US immigration channels such as family sponsorship or employment sponsorship.
Can Palauan citizens access US government benefits?
COFA citizens have access to some US federal benefit programs but not all. Eligibility varies by program. Medicaid access for COFA citizens has been an evolving issue in US policy. The 2023 COFA renewals included improvements to federal benefit access. Check with USCIS or a benefits specialist for current eligibility.
How do Palauan citizens travel to the US given Palau's remote location?
From Palau's main airport (ROR in Koror), the typical route to the US mainland involves a connection through Manila, Tokyo, or Guam, then onward to Honolulu or a US mainland city. United Airlines is the primary carrier connecting Guam and the Pacific Islands to the US mainland. Total travel time from Palau to Los Angeles is approximately 14 to 18 hours.