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THE CITIZENSHIP DESK
FM flag

Federated States of Micronesia

FSM

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a sovereign island nation in the western Pacific comprising four states: Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Yap. FSM operates under the Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States, granting Micronesian citizens the unrestricted right to live, work, and study in the US without a visa — and reciprocally, US citizens may reside in FSM indefinitely.

The economy is heavily aid-dependent, with the US providing substantial direct assistance under the Compact. There is no income tax on foreign-sourced income for non-residents, but limited infrastructure and geographic remoteness constrain economic development. Healthcare and higher education are limited locally, driving many residents to seek services in the US or Guam.

Naturalisation
5 years
Tax system
Residence Based
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Capital
Palikir
Region
oceania
Population
115,000
Cost-of-living
58 /100
→ If you hold a Federated States of Micronesia passport, see the Federated States of Micronesia nationality guide

Passport Rank

#62

Visa-Free

101

destinations

Visa-free travel

A Federated States of Micronesia passport has visa-free access to 101 destinations. See the full Federated States of Micronesia passport breakdown →

Passports that enter Federated States of Micronesia without a prior visa (194)

Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.

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Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.

Immigrating to Canada from Federated States of Micronesia

Current IRCC processing times for Federated States of Micronesia nationals, by application type.

Visitor visa (outside Canada)No processing time available
Super visaNo processing time available
Study permitNo processing time available
Work permitNo processing time available
Sponsor a dependent childNo processing time available
Adopted child (citizenship)Not enough data
Government-assisted refugeesNot enough data
Privately sponsored refugeessponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data

Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.

As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.

Sources & last verified

Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)

Country Details

Capital
Palikir
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Languages
English, Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, Yapese
Population
115,000
Tax System
Residence Based
Dual Citizenship
Allowed
Naturalisation
5 years
Schengen / EU
No
Climate
Tropical oceanic; warm and humid year-round with a pronounced wet season
GDP per capita
$4,414
Life expectancy
67.36 yrs
Population growth
0.46%/yr

GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).

Indices

Cost of Living

58

Safety

68

Healthcare

33

Quality of Life

42

Tax Summary

Tax System
Residence Based
Territorial Taxation
No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation
5 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship
Allowed

Cost of Living by City

← scroll the table →

Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
CityRent 1BR centreRent outsideGroceriesUtilitiesTransit pass
Palikir—————
Kolonia—————
Weno—————

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

  • Visitor
  • Work Permit
  • Investor
  • Family
  • Student
  • COFA US Compact
Authority
Division of Immigration FSM Department of Justice
Official Portal
www.fsmlaw.org

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years
Language Test
No
Civic Test
No
Oath Required
No
Dual Allowed
No
Fee
—
Processing
—

Safety

GPI Rank

—

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Regulators & official sources

Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Federated States of Micronesia, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.

FSM Legal Information System

FSM Law

Official legal information system for the Federated States of Micronesia Code, including immigration, labor, foreign investment and citizenship source material.

FSM Legal Information System

FSM Code Title 50 - Immigration Act

Immigration Act

Official legal basis for FSM entry permits, visitor, student, salesperson, alien worker, foreign investor, researcher, missionary, spouse, dependent, registration, fees and enforcement rules.

FSM Code Title 50 - Immigration Act

FSM Code Title 51 - Labor

Labor

Official labor law source for resident-worker preference, nonresident-worker hiring, nonresident employment agreements and worker identification certificate context.

FSM Code Title 51 - Labor

FSM Code Title 32 - Foreign Investment

Foreign Investment

Official foreign investment law source for noncitizen business activity and Foreign Investment Permit requirements.

FSM Code Title 32 - Foreign Investment

Sources & last verified

Index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-20.

Related Guides

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.

Related on The Citizenship Desk

Life logistics

Reference tables

Visa routes

Official visa and residence routes for Federated States of Micronesia, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.

Residence

Missionary's Entry Permit

Residence

FSM missionary permit for duly ordained, licensed and certified ministers or clergymen.

Sponsor requiredSpecified by the permit and ministry basis; confirm validity and renewal handling with FSM authorities.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Researcher's Entry Permit

Residence

FSM researcher entry permit for research considered in the best interest and well-being of FSM citizens.

Sponsor requiredSpecified by the permit and research conditions; confirm the issued period directly with FSM authorities.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Short-term / business

Salesperson's Entry Permit

Short-term / business

FSM salesperson entry permit for noncitizens entering to sell, take orders, or provide goods or services without establishing habitation or a place of business.

Specified by the permit and purpose; confirm the issued period and any renewal conditions with FSM authorities.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Visitor Entry Permit

Short-term / business

FSM visitor entry-permit route for lawful temporary visits, based on the Immigration Act.

Specified duration reflecting the lawful visitor purpose; confirm the period issued and any renewal limit with FSM Immigration.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Work (sponsored)

Alien Worker's Entry Permit

Work (sponsored)

FSM alien worker entry permit tied to authorized private or governmental employment and resident-worker protection rules.

Sponsor requiredFor the period the employment is authorized by contract; renewal follows extension or renewal of lawful employment status.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Family

Citizen Spouse or Dependent Entry Permit

Family

FSM family entry permit for a lawful spouse of a citizen and certain dependent children.

Sponsor requiredLinked to spouse, dependent or principal status; hardship cases may be treated differently by the President or designee.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Study

Student Entry Permit

Study

FSM student permit for enrollment in a school or educational program.

Sponsor requiredSpecified duration reflecting enrollment in the school or educational program.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Investor

Foreign Investor's Entry Permit

Investor

FSM foreign investor entry permit linked to a valid foreign investment permit under the Immigration Act and Foreign Investment Act.

Specified duration; renewal follows renewal or extension of the foreign investor business permit.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-08-18

Citizenship by descent

Citizenship Naturalization

Citizenship by descent

FSM citizenship and naturalization route under the Citizenship and Naturalization Act.

Authority-dependent; confirm current petition, evidence and decision timing with the President or designee.
Federated States of Micronesia Legal Information System · reviewed 2026-06-30

Sources & last verified

Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.

Sources & last verified

  • Last verified