Micronesia

Micronesia is a rather arbitrary name given to an enormous slice of earth. Greek for ?small' and ?islands', Micronesia is neither small nor a cohesive group of island people and cultures. Micronesia is comprised of 8 different nation-states; the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a country within and is comprised of over 600 islands. The country is further divided into 4 states that have many unique histories and cultures.

While the FSM government received independence in 1986 it retained deep ties with the U.S. which it continues to rely on for defence and monetary aid. Ironically many in the U.S. military are citizens of the FSM.

The FSM can be a fascinating place to visit as the islands' prior isolation has provided modern day travellers an easy means to see many unique cultures. Much of FSM retains much of its older traditions. These vary drastically between islands which can lead to confused tourists and sometimes insulted locals.

The cultures are not the only unique aspects of the country as the volcanic process that dotted the area's waters with islands wasn't very consistent. Islands growing, falling and hardly pushing above water have created great lagoons and reefs.

Chuuk is a popular state to visit with divers. A Japanese fleet was sunk off its shores in WWII making it among the best shipwreck diving sites in the world. Yap Island has unique hill scenery in contrast to the volcanic formations and coral atolls that created the rest of the FSM. Pohnpei is the most populated of the states while Kosrae is the least. Both are welcoming to tourists.

Although the islands stretch for 1,800 miles (2,900 km) the FSM is largely off the tourist map. Thus, tourism infrastructure isn't yet very developed. Many of the islands are difficult to reach by either plane or ferry. For willing explorers this also means hundreds of secluded blue water beaches and little visited regions.

Passport Visa

All foreign passengers to Micronesia must hold return/onward tickets, the necessary travel documentation for their next destination, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country. Note that visa exemptions apply to visitors entering Micronesia for touristic purposes only, and that extensions to the period of visa-free stay are possible (at the discretion of the Immigration Office). NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 120 days beyond the period of intended stay in Micronesia. No visa is required, for touristic stays of up to 30 days. Note that US passport holders are exempt from the entry requirement of holding return/onward tickets.
• British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 120 days beyond the period of intended stay in Micronesia. No visa is required for British passport holders, irrespective of the endorsement regarding their national status contained therein, for touristic stays of up to 30 days.
• Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 120 days beyond the period of intended stay in Micronesia. No visa is required, for touristic stays of up to 30 days.
• Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 120 days beyond the period of intended stay in Micronesia. No visa is required, for touristic stays of up to 30 days.
• South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 120 days beyond the period of intended stay in Micronesia. No visa is required, for touristic stays of up to 30 days.
• Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 120 days beyond the period of intended stay in Micronesia. No visa is required, for touristic stays of up to 30 days.
• New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least 120 days beyond the period of intended stay in Micronesia. No visa is required, for touristic stays of up to 30 days.

Embassy Consulates

Foreign Embassies