Status of Citizens of the Freely 

Associated States of the Federated 

States of Micronesia and the 

Republic of the Marshall Islands

FACT SHEET

Background 

The Compact of Free Association (COFA) Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-239) approved a joint 

resolution between the United States, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the 

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), which terminated U.S. trusteeship over the former Trust 

Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). The resolution also established the FSM and the RMI as 

independent nations and established a special relationship between the United States and these 

nations. The COFA between the United States and the RMI took effect on Oct. 21, 1986, and the 

COFA between the United States and the FSM took effect on Nov. 3, 1986. 

The COFA Amendments Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-188) amended the Compacts in a number 

of significant ways, including changing the immigration provisions. The Compacts, as amended, 

became effective for the RMI on May 1, 2004, and for the FSM on June 30, 2004. 

Note: The United States also established a Compact of Free Association with the Republic of 

Palau effective on October 1, 1994. As the Compact with Palau has not been amended, this Fact 

Sheet applies only to the RMI and the FSM, and should not be used for any informational purpose 

regarding citizens of Palau. For information on Palau, see the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services (USCIS) Fact Sheet entitled “Status of Citizens of the Republic of Palau”.

Citizenship Status

Citizens of the RMI or FSM are not citizens or nationals of the United States.

Travel of Citizens of FSM OR RMI to the United States

Citizens of the FSM and RMI by birth and those citizens of the former TTPI who acquired 

FSM or RMI citizenship in 1986 are entitled under the Compacts to travel and apply for 

admission to the United States as nonimmigrants 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 Compacts, an FSM or RMI citizen may live, study, and 

work in the United States. The United States has the right to set terms and conditions on the 

nonimmigrant stay of FSM and RMI citizens. Currently, they are granted an unlimited length 

of stay. 

Types of Citizens Who May Exercise Compact Privileges

In addition to citizens born in the FSM or RMI (birth citizen) and former TTPI citizens, the 

following citizens of the FSM or RMI may exercise privileges under the Compacts:
Status of Citizens of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands

If determined admissible under the Compacts, an FSM or RMI citizen may live, study, and 

work in the United States. The United States has the right to set terms and conditions on the 

nonimmigrant stay of FSM and RMI citizens. Currently, they are granted an unlimited length 

of stay. 

Types of Citizens Who May Exercise Compact Privileges 

In addition to citizens born in the FSM or RMI (birth citizen) and former TTPI citizens, the 

following citizens of the FSM or RMI may exercise privileges under the Compacts:

• An immediate relative (spouse or unmarried son or daughter under 21 years of age) of a birth 

citizen or former TTPI citizen provided that the immediate relative:

o Is a naturalized FSM or RMI citizen,

o Has been an actual resident of the FSM or RMI (as applicable) for at least five years after 

naturalization and has a certificate of actual residence, and

o In the case of a spouse, has been married to the birth citizen or former TTPI citizen for at 

least five years and did not enter into the marriage primarily to obtain immigration benefits 

under the Compacts;

or

• A naturalized citizen of the FSM or RMI whose name is included on a list provided by the FSM or 

RMI governments that names people who have been residents for five years as of April 30, 2003, 

and who continues to be an actual resident with a certificate of actual residence.

Any person who obtained an FSM or RMI passport under any investment, passport sale, or 

similar program is not entitled to any immigration privileges under the Compacts.

For employment eligibility and other purposes, once admitted into the United States, it does not 

matter whether the person is a birth citizen, a former TTPI citizen, or has another basis of 

eligibility under the Compacts.

Special Provision for Certain Family Members of RMI or FSM Citizens Serving in the Armed 

Forces or Active Reserves

An immediate relative (spouse or unmarried son or daughter under 21 years of age) of one of the 

types of FSM and RMI citizens listed above is admissible to the United States, provided the FSM 

or RMI citizen is serving on active duty in any branch of the U.S. armed forces, or in the active 

reserves.

Note that this provision may apply to qualifying family members even if they are not citizens 

of the RMI or FSM. References in this Fact Sheet to FSM or RMI citizens admitted under the 

Compacts include these individuals. 

Adoptions – Bar on Admission 

Any FSM or MIS citizen who is coming to the United States based on an adoption outside 

the United States, or for the purpose of adoption in the United States, is ineligible for visafree admission as a nonimmigrant under the Compacts.
Status of Citizens of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands

This bar on visa-free admission as a nonimmigrant applies to FSM or MIS citizens who are 

seeking to come to the United States for the purpose of placing a child for adoption in the 

United States. This restriction applies whether or not the child has already been born when the 

FSM or MIS citizen seeks visa-free admission as a nonimmigrant.

U.S. residents wishing to adopt an FSM or MIS citizen, or FSM or MIS citizens thinking of 

coming to the United States for any adoption-related purpose, should seek more information on 

the requirements of U.S. immigration law from a U.S. Embassy and U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (USCIS).

Anyone seeking to adopt a child abroad can find more information about the intercountry 

adoption process for particular countries at the U.S. Department of State’s Intercountry Adoption 

webpage. 

Travel Documentation 

To gain admission to the United States under the Compacts, a citizen of the FSM or the RMI 

must possess a valid, unexpired FSM or RMI passport. Those applying or admission under the 

Compacts do not need a U.S. visa or any other travel documentation. 

Individuals seeking admission under the Compacts (particularly those who are not birth citizens or 

former TTPI citizens) should bring copies of a marriage certificate, certificate of residency, a 

spouse’s military orders, or other documents to demonstrate eligibility at the port of entry.

Documentation of Admission to the United States

After arriving at a U.S. port of entry, FSM and RMI citizens will receive admission stamps in 

their passports upon admission by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to the United 

States under the Compacts. The admission stamp will reflect that the admission relates to the 

Compacts.

The exact notation may vary and is subject to change, but at the present time it typically states 

“CFA/FSM” for an FSM citizen and “CFA/MIS” for an RMI citizen. Some older versions may 

be marked “CFA/RMI” for an RMI citizen.

CBP also issues Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, to nonimmigrants, such as FSM and RMI 

citizens, upon their admission to the United States. Form I-94 is created electronically upon 

arrival to an air or sea port of entry. FSM and RMI travelers can obtain a paper version of their 

Form I-94 by logging on to CBP’s I-94 website using identifying information and then printing 

the form. Both initial and replacement Forms I-94 may be obtained through CBP’s website. 

CBP will still issue paper versions of Form I-94 at air and sea ports of entry to those travelers 

who request paper versions when they arrive in the United States. These paper Forms I-94 will 

contain an admission stamp, but will not have an “admit until” date.
Status of Citizens of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands

However, Forms I-94 printed from the CBP website will show an “admitted until” date of D/S 

(duration of status). 1

The 11 alphanumeric admission/departure characters on Form I-94 takes the place of the alien 

registration number (A-number) for those admitted under the Compacts who are not otherwise 

assigned an A- number. A person admitted under the Compacts should provide this Form I-94 

number in place of an A-number in response to any official requests. 

Either a printed Form I-94 or the admission stamp in the FSM or RMI passport is evidence of 

alien registration. All foreign visitors to the United States over the age of 18 (including FSM and 

RMI citizens) are required under penalty of law to have this evidence in their personal 

possession at all times.

Terms and Conditions of Admission

Persons admitted under the Compacts must abide by any terms and conditions of admission 

prescribed by the Department of Homeland Security, and must obey the laws of the United States 

and of the state and locality in which they reside or are present.

People who, following admission to the United States under the Compacts, cannot show that they 

have sufficient means of support in the United States may be deportable. Other grounds of 

deportability, such as conviction for an aggravated felony, also apply to persons admitted under 

the Compacts. 

Admission Under the INA and Lawful Permanent Residence

FSM and RMI citizens admitted to the United States under the Compacts may reside, work, 

and study in the United States. They do not have the status of lawful permanent residents (also 

known as Green Card holders) under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). 

FSM and RMI citizens admitted to the United States under the Compacts may become lawful 

permanent residents, however, if they are otherwise eligible under immigration laws, either 

through the immigrant visa process or by adjustment of status within the United States. People 

generally must be granted lawful permanent resident status in the United States before they can 

apply for naturalization as a U.S. citizen. 

In certain circumstances, FSM and RMI citizens or residents who are not eligible for admission 

without a visa as nonimmigrants under the Compacts may be able to apply for a nonimmigrant or 

immigrant visa under the immigration laws generally applicable to all foreign nationals. A U.S. 

Embassy or U.S. Consulate can provide visa information. Visa information is also available from 

the U.S. Department of State's U.S. Visas webpage. 

1 D/S indicates that the individual is authorized to remain in the United States as long they maintain a valid 

status.
Status of Citizens of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands

Employment Authorization – Documentation 

FSM and RMI citizens admitted under the Compacts may freely seek employment in the United 

States. However, like other employees working in the United States, must complete for their 

employers at the time of hire an attestation regarding their employment authorization and present 

document(s) showing identity and employment authorization for completing Form I-9, 

Employment Eligibility Verification. To satisfy the document presentation requirement, 

employees may choose a document or combination of documents listed on Form I-9, in the 

section “Lists of Acceptable Documents.”

While FSM and RMI citizens may have been issued a number of documents that are in the section 

“Lists of Acceptable Documents,” one option is specific to FSM and RMI citizens: the 

combination of FSM or RMI passport and Form I-94 reflecting the FSM or RMI citizens’ 

admission under the Compacts. This document combination is a “List A” document that shows 

both identity and employment authorization and satisfies the document presentation requirement 

for Form I-9. An RMI or FSM passport with a passport stamp is not acceptable for Form I-9 

purposes; the Form I-94 must be printed and presented with the passport. 

Another document listed in the section “Lists of Acceptable Documents” available to citizens of 

the RMI and FSM upon request from USCIS is Form I-766, Employment Authorization 

Document (EAD). While under the Compacts, citizens of the RMI and the FSM do not need to 

apply for, possess, or renew an EAD, USCIS encourages them to apply for one by completing 

Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. 

USCIS will issue an EAD with a category code of A08 to them free of charge. Applicants 

properly filing EAD renewal applications under category A08 may receive automatic extensions 

of an expiring or expired EAD for up to 180 days. The extension begins on the date the EAD 

expires and continues for up to 180 days unless the renewal application is denied.

In addition to serving as evidence of both identity and employment authorization, the EAD is 

very useful in applying for a driver’s license or other situations where secure U.S. governmentissued evidence of identity or immigration status may be requested.

All other requirements and procedures relating to Form I-9 and the employer sanctions laws 

apply to RMI and FSM citizens in the same manner as to other employees in the United States. 

Social Security Card

A person admitted under the Compacts may obtain a Social Security number (SSN) and Social 

Security card from the Social Security Administration. An FSM or RMI citizen who has been 

admitted under the Compacts is issued a Social Security card without the statement, “Valid for 

Work Only with DHS Authorization.” For Form I-9 purposes, this is a “List C” document that an 

FSM or RMI citizen can show his or her employer as evidence of employment authorization, but 

not identity.
 

Status of Citizens of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands

The Social Security card must be obtained in the United States from the Social Security 

Administration. It cannot be issued by the U.S. Embassy in the FSM or RMI. 

Study

FSM and RMI citizens admitted under the Compacts may study at any school in the United 

States. A school enrolling an FSM or RMI citizen admitted under the Compacts should not 

register the student with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), and the student does 

not need to present a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. 

Rights of Persons Seeking to Come to the United States Under a Labor Recruitment 

Arrangement

The Compacts and related agreements provide FSM or RMI citizens who seek to come to the 

United States under a labor recruitment arrangement with certain rights, including a full 

disclosure of the terms and conditions of the arrangement. These individuals should contact their 

respective embassy or other appropriate FSM or RMI government office for information about 

their rights to full disclosure before entering into any such agreement and departing for the United

States.

Military Service

Under section 341 of the Compacts, FSM and RMI citizens entitled to admission to the United 

States under the Compacts are eligible to volunteer for service in the U.S. armed forces.

Visa Requirements for FSM And RMI Diplomats

FSM and RMI citizens coming to the United States to assume diplomatic duties or to work at an 

international organization must obtain the appropriate nonimmigrant visa in “A” or “G” 

classification in order for their official status to be recognized by the United States. The 

Department of State also strongly encourages other FSM and RMI citizens to have a visa if they 

are coming to the United States to engage in official activities on behalf of their government.

U.S. Consular Assistance Abroad 

Under section 126 of the Compacts, the United States extends consular assistance to citizens of the 

FSM and RMI in foreign countries on the same basis as for U.S. citizens, subject to the consent of 

the foreign country. 

U.S. Consular officers also help FSM and RMI citizens extend and renew their FSM and RMI 

passports. These services are available when the FSM or RMI has no diplomatic or consular 

representation in a foreign country. 

For more information on SAVE, please visit www.uscis.gov/save. September 2020