Key Takeaways

  • Foreign nationals require a Work Permit from the Division of Immigration and Labour before commencing paid employment in the Marshall Islands; US citizens may enter freely under the Compact of Free Association but still require a Work Permit for employment.
  • The Marshall Islands uses the US Dollar (USD) as its official currency and has a Compact of Free Association with the United States providing defence guarantees and financial assistance.
  • Government and public sector employment, the shipping and ship registry sector, NGO and development programmes, and construction are the primary employers of foreign nationals.

The Marshall Islands is a Pacific island nation in Micronesia, comprising 29 atolls and 5 islands in the central Pacific Ocean. Majuro is the capital and main commercial centre. The Marshall Islands entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1986, providing US defence guarantees and significant financial assistance. The economy is heavily dependent on US Compact funding, the Republic of Marshall Islands Ship Registry (one of the world’s largest ship registries), tuna fishing licence fees, and subsistence agriculture. The Marshall Islands faces severe existential threats from sea-level rise. The Division of Immigration and Labour (within the Ministry of Resources and Development) administers work permits.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in the Marshall Islands?

Any non-Marshall Islands national intending to engage in paid employment must hold a valid Work Permit from the Division of Immigration and Labour. The requirement applies to:

  • Employees of Marshall Islands-registered businesses or government agencies
  • Technical specialists and development programme advisors
  • Ship registry and maritime sector professionals
  • Construction and infrastructure workers on government-funded projects
  • NGO, UN agency, and development sector workers

Types of Marshall Islands Work Visas and Permits

Work Permit

The Work Permit is issued by the Division of Immigration and Labour and is the primary employment authorisation. The employer must demonstrate a genuine need for a foreign worker and confirm that no suitably qualified Marshallese national is available. Permits are employer-tied, issued for one year, and renewable annually.

Entry Permit

Most nationalities, including US citizens, may enter the Marshall Islands without a prior visa for stays of up to 90 days under the Compact of Free Association or bilateral arrangements. For employment purposes, the Work Permit is required regardless of the entry visa status.

US Citizen Access

US citizens may enter the Marshall Islands freely under the Compact of Free Association and reside indefinitely. However, US citizens wishing to take up paid employment with a Marshallese employer must still obtain a Work Permit from the Division of Immigration and Labour in the same manner as other foreign nationals.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in the Marshall Islands

1

Employer Prepares the Work Permit Application

The employer prepares the Work Permit application for the Division of Immigration and Labour in Majuro. Required documents: company or government agency registration; signed employment contract; the applicant’s qualifications and CV; passport copy; police clearance; medical certificate.

2

Submit to the Division of Immigration and Labour

The application is submitted in person or by mail to the Division of Immigration and Labour. The employer pays the applicable fee. The Division reviews the application and may request additional information.

3

Await Processing

Processing takes 4–8 weeks. Given the Marshall Islands’s limited administrative capacity, timelines can vary. Applicants should not make binding travel arrangements until the permit is formally approved.

4

Enter the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands is accessible via United Airlines flights from Honolulu (Hawaii) and Guam, connecting Majuro and Kwajalein to the US aviation network. Accommodation should be arranged before departure as options in Majuro are limited.

5

Register on Arrival and Commence Work

On arrival, the foreign worker presents the Work Permit to immigration officials. The employer notifies the Division of Immigration and Labour of the commencement date within 14 days. Both employer and worker must comply with Marshall Islands employment law.

6

Annual Renewal

Work Permits must be renewed annually. The employer submits the renewal application with updated employment confirmation and a current medical certificate at least 30 days before expiry.

Marshall Islands Work Permit Costs and Fees

Marshall Islands work permit fees are denominated in USD:
Permit Type Cost
Work Permit (1 year) USD 50–200
Work Permit Renewal USD 50–200
Dependent Entry Permit USD 25–75 per dependant
Professional service fees add USD 300–800. Total first-year employer costs typically range from USD 400 to USD 1,200, excluding travel which can be significant.

Marshall Islands Work Visa Sponsorship

Marshall Islands Work Permits are employer-tied. Changes of employer require a new application. Employers must notify the Division of Immigration and Labour within 14 days if employment ends before the permit expires.

Employers must comply with Marshall Islands employment law, including minimum wage obligations (USD 2.00/hour) and applicable leave entitlements.

For international organisations without a Marshall Islands entity, an EOR with Pacific region presence and Marshall Islands registration can act as the sponsoring employer and manage the full work permit and compliance process.

Work in the Marshall Islands with Confidence

The Marshall Islands’s extreme remoteness, limited infrastructure, and very small economy mean that most foreign worker deployments are for specific technical, advisory, or development roles. Lead times for travel and accommodation must be built into project planning.

RemotePeople’s Pacific team can assist with work permit applications in the Marshall Islands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Compact of Free Association (COFA) is a political status agreement between the United States and three Pacific island nations: the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. Under COFA, the US provides defence guarantees, financial assistance, and access to US programmes. Citizens of COFA nations may live and work in the US without a visa; US citizens may enter COFA nations freely. Employment in Marshall Islands still requires a Work Permit for all foreign nationals.

The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Ship Registry is one of the world's largest ship registries by tonnage, administering vessel registration for thousands of ships globally. The registry generates significant revenue for the Marshall Islands government and employs a small number of maritime administration professionals. The registry office's global operations are managed from Reston, Virginia, USA.

The primary route to Majuro (the capital) is via United Airlines from Honolulu (Hawaii) or Guam. Flights operate a few times per week. Kwajalein (site of a US military base) has separate access arrangements. Internal island connections use small aircraft or boat. Total travel time from most of the world is 24–36 hours.

Yes. The Marshall Islands faces serious long-term habitability risks from sea-level rise and increased storm surge. The government has plans for land acquisition in other countries and discussions about legal continuity. These existential risks should factor into long-term workforce planning for organisations with sustained Marshall Islands operations.

Yes. An EOR with Marshall Islands registration and Division of Immigration and Labour standing can act as the sponsoring employer, manage Work Permit applications, payroll in USD, and Marshall Islands employment law compliance on behalf of an international organisation.

Relocate to Marshall Islands

RemotePeople provides EOR services across the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands. We manage Work Permit applications, employment contracts, payroll in USD, and Marshall Islands employment law compliance.

Contact RemotePeople to discuss your Marshall Islands workforce requirements.

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