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Marshall Islands
Country Specific Information
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August 13, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
The Republic of the Marshall Islands totals 70.5 square miles and is composed of two coral atoll chains in the Central Pacific.
The Marshall Islands is a parliamentary democracy, and has signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States. It
has a developing agrarian and service-oriented economy. Tourist facilities are not widely available, but those that exist
are adequate. The capital, Majuro, has three major hotels. Several other atolls have limited guest quarters. Read the Department
of State Background Notes on the Marshall Islands for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Visas are not required for U.S. citizens; U.S. citizens have liberal travel rights under the Compact of Free Association.
There is a departure fee; diplomats are exempt. A health certificate is required if you are arriving from an area that is
currently experiencing an epidemic. For visits of over 30 days, an AIDS test may be required.
For further information on entry requirements for the Marshall Islands, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, at 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008. The telephone number is (202) 234-5414.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Travel around the Marshall Islands is, by most standards, considered safe. Travelers should be aware that flights to outer
islands are often cancelled, sometimes leaving visitors stranded. The Marshall Islands’ reliance primarily on radio for communication
among the remote outer islands causes some communication problems.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of
Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or for
callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: The Marshall Islands has a relatively low crime rate. The most common crimes are break-ins and thefts from homes, hotel
rooms, and vehicles, as well as occasional random acts of vandalism. There have been a few recent but isolated incidents
in which U.S. citizens and other foreigners were assaulted. Travelers are advised to keep their hotel rooms or residences
locked at all times. Occasionally fights and assaults do occur at nightclubs and bars. Visitors to those establishments,
especially late in the evening, should be extra vigilant to ensure their personal security.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation
and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand
the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney, if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line for Police, Fire or Medical in the Marshall Islands is: 911 or 1911
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Health facilities in the Marshall Islands are adequate for routine medical problems, but they are available only on Majuro
and Ebeye. Majuro has a private clinic and a new public hospital. Ebeye has a public hospital. Most outer islands have
medical dispensaries. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can
cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.
Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. However,
medical restrictions generally do not apply to U.S. citizens entering the Marshall Islands under Free Association status.
Please verify this information with the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands at www.rmiembassyus.org before you travel.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning the Marshall Islands is provided for general reference only, and it may not be totally
accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Majuro atoll has only one road. The road is paved, but there are few traffic signs and no traffic lights. Drivers should
be alert for animals roaming the streets and children darting into the road. Drinking and driving is common, especially on
the weekends, so drivers should use caution. Walking beside the street can be dangerous due to poor lighting, absence of
sidewalks and drivers who may have been drinking and driving.
Vehicle traffic proceeds slowly, rarely over 25 miles per hour. Some roads experience temporary flooding after heavy rains.
Since there are few streetlights, visibility is poor, and night driving requires special caution. For specific information
concerning drivers’ permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the Republic of the Marshall
Islands' Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of the Marshall Islands’ Civil Aviation Authority
as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the
Marshall Islands’ air carrier operations. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Currency: The Republic of the Marshall Islands uses U.S. currency. Most hotels and a few restaurants accept VISA, MasterCard and American
Express credit cards. Local telephone service as well as international long distance to anywhere worldwide is available on
Majuro and Ebeye. Internet service is also available but can be expensive and it is usually dial up.
Customs: Customs authorities of the Marshall Islands strictly prohibit the importation of firearms, ammunition, explosives and indecent
publications. Certification from the Quarantine Division is required to import animals, plants and fruits. It is advisable
to contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Washington, D.C., or one of the Marshall Islands' Consulates
in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements, especially when dealing with the importation
of animals into the Marshall Islands.
Please see our Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties
for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Marshall Islands’
laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession or use of, or trafficking in illegal
drugs in the Marshall Islands are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging
in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable
in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living in or visiting the Marshall Islands are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Majuro through
the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Marshall Islands. Americans without Internet access
may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the
Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy does not have a street address in Majuro. The
Embassy is located on the ocean-side of the island's road, approximately 2 miles east of the airport. The U.S. Embassy's
mailing address is PO Box 1379, Majuro, MH 96960-1379. The telephone number is (692) 247-4011. The fax number is (692) 247-4012.
The U.S. Embassy web site is http://majuro.usembassy.gov/.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for the Marshall Islands dated January 22, 2008, to update sections on Information
for Victims of Crime and Medical Facilities and Health Information.
