Moving to Marshall Islands: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

77,917

Population Growth Rate

1.79%

Urban Population

71.800000

Population in Major Urban Areas

MAJURO (capital) 31,000

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Age Structure

35.480000

Median Age

22.400000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

27

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

4.27

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

3.29

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

44.6%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

44.6%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-5

Ethnic Groups

Micronesian

Nationality Noun

Marshallese (singular and plural)

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Literacy - total population

93.7%

Literacy - male

93.6%

Literacy - female

93.7%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

12.2%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

12.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

72.310000

Infant Mortality Rate

22.150000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

22.150000

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.44

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

2.7

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

16.5%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

45.4%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

93.400000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

84.200000

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Economic Overview

US assistance and lease payments for the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base are the mainstay of this small island country.

Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit.

Industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra.

Tourism holds some potential.

The islands and atolls have few natural resources, and imports exceed exports.

The Marshall Islands received roughly $1 billion in aid from the US during the period 1986-2001 under the original Compact of Free Association (Compact).

In 2002 and 2003, the US and the Marshall Islands renegotiated the Compact's financial package for a 20-year period, 2004 to 2024.

Under the amended Compact, the Marshall Islands will receive roughly $1.5 billion in direct US assistance.

Under the amended Compact, the US and Marshall Islands are also jointly funding a Trust Fund for the people of the Marshall Islands that will provide an income stream beyond 2024, when direct Compact aid ends.

Industries

copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.7%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$240,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$3,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.7%

GDP - official exchange rate

$195,000,000 (USD)

GDP by Sector- agriculture

4.4%

GDP by Sector- Industry

9.9%

GDP by Sector- services

85.7%

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Inflation Rate

12.9%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

US dollar (USD)

Currency Name and Code

US Dollar (USD)

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

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Labor Force

14,680

Unemployment Rate

36%

Major Industries

copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls

Agriculture Products

coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

11%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

16.3%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

72.7%

Annual Budget

$123,300,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

0.4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

54.6%

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Full Country Name

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Country Name

Marshall Islands

Local - Long

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Local - Short

Marshall Islands

Abbreviation

RMI

Former Name

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District

Etymology- history of name

named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788

Independence

21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

National Holiday

Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)

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Government Type

mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US

Constitution

• history: effective 1 May 1979
• amendments: proposed by the National Parliament or by a constitutional convention; passage by Parliament requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership in each of two readings and approval by a majority of votes in a referendum; amendments submitted by a constitutional convention require approval of at least two thirds of votes in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2018

Legal System:

mixed legal system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• head of government: President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023)
• cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president from among members of the Nitijela, appointed by Nitijela speaker
• elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Nitijela from among its members for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 January 2023 (next to be held in 2027)
• election results: 2023: Hilda C. HEINE elected president; National Parliament vote - Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 17, David KABUA (independent) 16 2020: David KABUA elected president; National Parliament vote - David KABUA (independent) 20, Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 12

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral National Parliament consists of: Nitijela (33 seats; members in 19 single- and 5 multi-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms);
• Note: the Council of Iroij, a 12-member group of tribal leaders advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice); members appointed to serve 1-year terms
• Elections: last held on 20 November 2023 (next to be held in November 2027)
• Election Results: 2023: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by part - independents 33;
• Composition: men 29, women 4, percent of women 12.1% 2019: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 33;
• Composition: men 31, women 2, percent of women 6.1%

Judicial Branch:

• office: judges appointed by the Cabinet upon the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (consists of the chief justice of the High Court, the attorney general and a private citizen selected by the Cabinet) and upon approval of the Nitijela; the current chief justice, appointed in 2013, serves for 10 years; Marshallese citizens appointed as justices serve until retirement at age 72
• subordinate courts: High Court; District Courts; Traditional Rights Court; Community Courts

Regions or States:

24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje

Political Parties and Leaders:

• traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties
• what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

Capital Name

• Majuro
• note - the capital is an atoll of 64 islands
• governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap

Capital - geographic coordinate

7 06 N, 171 23 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• ADB
• AOSIS
• FAO
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICCt
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• IMSO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• ITU
• OPCW
• PIF
• Sparteca
• SPC
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNHRC
• WHO

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Lance POSEY (since 18 August 2023)
• Embassy: Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro
• Mailing Address: 4380 Majuro Place, Washington DC 20521-4380
• Telephone: [692] 247-4011
• FAX: [692] 247-4012
• Email: MAJConsular@state.gov
• Website: https://mh.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Charles Rudolph PAUL (since 27 February 2024)
• Chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414
• FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236
• Email: info@rmiembassyus.org
• Consulate(s) General: Honolulu, Springdale (AR)

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Geographic Location

Oceania

Geographic Coordinates

9 00 N, 168 00 E

Total Area

70 Square Miles 181 Square Kilometers

Land Area

70 Square Miles 181 Square Kilometers

Coastline

230 Miles 370 Kilometers

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Terrain

low coral limestone and sand islands

Highest Point

10 Meters

Highest Point Location

unnamed location on Likiep 10 m

Lowest Point Location

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals

Time Zone

UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

The climate of the Marshall Islands is tropical, with high humidity, and an average year‑round temperature of 81°F.

Trade winds pick up in October or November and blow strongly from January through April, with winds varying from 12 to 22 knots.

The trades, often bringing overcast skies, have a cooling effect, although the lagoon can become rough, compared to the placid days of glassy water, so frequent in summer.

Typhoon (tropical hurricane) season is from December through March.

Tropical depressions form in the Marshall Islands and increase to typhoon strength as they move further west with the prevailing trade winds, making the Marshall Islands less susceptible to a full strength typhoon than most islands in the Pacific.

In Majuro, January, February, and March are traditionally the driest months, with rainfall averaging 6-8 inches a month.

September through December are the wettest months, with 12-14 inches of average monthly rainfall.

The temperature remains stable year-round, averaging 84°F in the day and 76°F at night.

The Marshall Islands enjoy clean air, clear ocean water, sunshine, and adequate amounts of rainfall, with the exception of the heavily populated areas of Majuro and Ebeye, where city living has taken its toll on the environment.

Water shortages occur at any time when rainfall has been below normal, but in Majuro, shortages will occur most toward the end of the dry season in March.

The use of water catchment devices is being promoted throughout the Marshall Islands.

The outer islands rely more on a subsistence economy, occasionally experiencing food shortages due to seasonal variation.

Terrain

low coral limestone and sand islands

Location

Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia

Total Area

70 Square Miles 181 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

inadequate supplies of potable water

pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$19,400,000 (USD)

Imports

$79,400,000 (USD)

Major Exports

copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish

Major Imports

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco

Top Export Partners

US, Japan, Australia, China

Top Import Partners

US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines

Export Partners

US, Japan, Australia, China

Import Partners

US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Fiji, China, Philippines

Country Description

With a population of approximately 53,000, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) covers a land area of only 70.5 square miles but includes one of the largest maritime zones in the Pacific Ocean.

The country consists of 29 atolls and five islands.

The Marshall Islands is a parliamentary democracy, and its close relationship with the United States is reflected in the Compact of Free Association that binds our two nations.

The RMI has a developing agrarian and service-oriented economy.

Limited tourist facilities exist, including three major hotels in Majuro, while most other areas have limited guest quarters.

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Crime

Travel around the Marshall Islands is, by most standards, considered safe.

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 non-U.S. foreigners were assaulted.

It is recommended that visitors dress conservatively; skin showing above the knee, especially for females, may be considered offensive to some Marshallese citizens.

Keep your hotel room or residence locked at all times.

Occasionally, fights and assaults occur at nightclubs and bars.

If you visit those establishments, especially late in the evening, be extra vigilant to ensure your personal security.

Don’t buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Marshall Islands, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in the Marshall Islands, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case.

To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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Medical Facilities

Health facilities in Majuro and Ebeye are adequate for routine medical problems.

There are few or no health facilities available elsewhere in the Marshall Islands.

Majuro has a private clinic and a public hospital.

Ebeye also 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 tens of thousands of dollars.

Prescription and over the counter medicine may not be available.

We recommend that you bring a supply of your prescription medication when you visit.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

However, the local cost for service is quite minimal.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in the Marshall Islands.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions While in the Marshall Islands, you 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 may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Majuro atoll has only one main road.

The road is paved, but there are few traffic signs and no traffic lights.

While driving, you should be alert for dogs, chickens, and pigs roaming the streets and children darting into the road.

Children frequently play dangerous games with vehicles, running in front of or behind vehicles.

Drinking and driving is common, especially on the weekends, so use caution.

Walking beside the street can be dangerous due to poor lighting, absence of sidewalks, and drivers who may have been drinking.

Vehicle traffic proceeds slowly, rarely over 25 miles per hour.

Roads experience temporary flooding after heavy rains and during especially high tides.

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 Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Traffic Safety

While in the Marshall Islands, you 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 may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Majuro atoll has only one main road.

The road is paved, but there are few traffic signs and no traffic lights.

While driving, you should be alert for dogs, chickens, and pigs roaming the streets and children darting into the road.

Children frequently play dangerous games with vehicles, running in front of or behind vehicles.

Drinking and driving is common, especially on the weekends, so use caution.

Walking beside the street can be dangerous due to poor lighting, absence of sidewalks, and drivers who may have been drinking.

Vehicle traffic proceeds slowly, rarely over 25 miles per hour.

Roads experience temporary flooding after heavy rains and during especially high tides.

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

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Airports - total

15

Airports with Paved Runways

4

Roadways- total

1,260 Miles 2,028 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Majuro

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Telephones

4,400

Cell Phones

700

Internet Users

2,200

Internet Country Code

.mh

Internet Hosts

3

Broadcast Media

• no TV broadcast station
• a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays
• 4 radio broadcast stations
• American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and television service to Kwajalein Atoll

Telephone System

• assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits
• domestic: Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones
• international: country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein

Anthem History

Forever Marshall Islands" (music and lyrics by President Amata Kabua)

Anthem Lyrics

• Forever Marshall Islands Ae-lon eo ao ion lo---me-to
• Einwot wut ko loti ion dren e-lae
• Kin me-ram in Me-kar jen ijo---i-lan
• Erreo an romak ioir kin me---ram---in mour
• Iltan pein A---nij ewel-eo---sim woj
• Kejolit kij kin ijin ji-kir e-mol
• Ijja-min I-lok jen in ao-le-mo ran
• Anij an ro je-mem wo-nak-ke im kej ram-mon Ae-lin kein am.

Anthem Lyrics English

My island lies o'er the o-cean; Like a wreath of flowers upon the sea; With a light of Mekar from far a-bove; Shining with the brilliance of rays of life;.

Our Fa-ther's wondrous cre-a-tion; Bequeathed to us, our Motherland; I'll never leave my dear home sweet home; God of our forefathers protect and bless forever Marshall Islands.