 FSM adopts new Immigration RegulationPALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): November 22, 2005 - The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia has adopted a new immigration regulation, which went into effect October 2005. To be consistent with immigration laws and the Compact, as amended, the new regulations supersede the 1986 version with changes to the provisions on: (a) the procedure for change in entry permit status (b) the immigration requirements of US citizens (c) the immigration requirements of citizens of the RMI and Palau (d) the procedure by which to appeal Immigration actions (e) citations for violations of immigration laws and (f) entry permit fees. Pursuant to the Compact, as amended, a significant change in the new regulation is that citizens of the US are exempt from all entry permit fees and have the right to reside, work and do business in the FSM without any additional immigration related documents and are not required to register their presence in the FSM. Title 50, as amended by Public Law 12-65, made changes to the Immigration laws which were put into practice after the law was amended and are now included in the new regulations. The changes include requirements for how a non-citizen may change their entry permit status, some exemptions to the immigration requirements for citizens of the RMI and Palau and a requirement that non-citizens pay fees for entry permits. In addition, the regulations also set forth the procedure by which to appeal Immigration actions and permit Immigration to issue citations for violations of immigration laws. In addition, salespersons' permits, previously issued for one year at a time, will now only be issued for a maximum of six months per permit. The new Immigration Regulation has been submitted to all four states. |