---

Policy on passport validity requirement for FSM Citizens to travel to the United States

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): January 13, 2010 - According the website of the Department of Homeland Security on US Citizenship and Immigration, citizens of the FSM by birth and those citizens of the former TTPI who acquired FSM citizenship in 1986 are entitled under the Compact to travel and apply for admission to the United States as non-immigrants without visas. However, admission is not guaranteed. Most grounds of inadmissibility under U.S. immigration laws, such as criminal convictions, are applicable.

If determined admissible under the Compact, an FSM citizen may live, study and work in the United States. The United States has the right to set terms and conditions on the non-immigrant stay of FSM citizens. At the present time, they are granted an unlimited length of stay, and their I-94 noted as "CFA/FSM" (Compact of Free Association/Federated States of Micronesia).

In order to seek admission to the United States under the amended Compact, a citizen of the FSM must possess an unexpired FSM passport that has at least 6 months validity. This is a new requirement, which did not apply under the original Compact. An FSM citizen applying for admission under the Compact does not need a U.S. visa, or any other travel documentation.

This requirement is also enforced by Continental Micronesia when they screen travel documents at the airport, so it is important for FSM citizens to make sure their FSM passport is valid for at least 6 months before they plan on travelling to the United States. Continental Micronesia will not let anyone with a non-US passport travel to the United States unless they meet this requirement.