🇲🇭 Marshall Islands visa for Canada citizens

US citizens get 90 days visa-free. Most others need to apply ahead. Don't expect a simple tourist visa to cover remote work.

Who Walks In Visa-Free?

For US passport holders, the Marshall Islands is straightforward: 90 days visa-free entry. That’s it. If you're from Canada, Australia, the UK, or the EU, you’re also in luck. These nationalities generally receive 30 days visa-free entry.

Other nationalities fall into a few categories. Many Pacific Island nations can get 30 days visa-free on arrival. For the rest, you’ll need to apply for a visitor visa through the Marshall Islands Consulate or Embassy in your region. The application process usually requires a completed form, passport photos, a letter of invitation (often from a hotel or business in the Marshalls), and proof of onward travel. Processing times can vary, so don't leave this to the last minute.

How Long Can You Actually Stay?

The standard visa-free or tourist visa grants you 30 days in the Marshall Islands, extendable for another 30 days for a fee of $25 per extension. This extension process requires an application with immigration at their office in Majuro. You’ll need to show proof of sufficient funds and onward travel.

What trips people up? The exit stamp. Make sure you get one when you leave. Some nationalities have reported issues on re-entry if they don't have a clear exit record from their previous visit. While the official policy is often single-entry for standard visitor permits, immigration officers have some discretion. Overstaying is not advisable; penalties can include fines, detention, and deportation. While specific fines aren't always publicly stated, expect them to be significant, likely hundreds of USD, and certainly jeopardise future travel.

Working Remotely on a Tourist Stamp: What's the Real Deal?

Officially, working on a tourist visa or stamp is a grey area, leaning towards not allowed. The Marshall Islands isn't exactly set up for digital nomads, and there's no specific digital nomad visa. The authorities are generally more concerned with people entering to work without proper permits, rather than someone quietly typing away on their laptop in a cafe.

Enforcement is likely focused on large-scale or obvious employment. If you're discreet, purchase goods and services, and don't draw attention, you’ll probably be fine. However, you're technically violating the terms of your tourist entry. If questioned, the best approach is to state you are visiting friends or family, or on a prolonged holiday. Don't advertise your remote work status. The USD 25 fee for a 30-day extension indicates they want people to formalise longer stays, not necessarily to work.

What's New on the Immigration Front?

The Marshall Islands has been working to streamline its immigration processes. While an official eVisa system for general tourism hasn't been widely rolled out or advertised, there have been discussions and some moves towards digitisation. For the most part, you'll still be dealing with paper applications and in-person visits for extensions.

Fee structures for visas and extensions remain relatively stable, with the $25 visitor extension fee being the most common charge for longer stays. There haven't been major policy shifts suspending or expanding visa-free access in the last 12-18 months for the primary passport groups. The focus remains on traditional visitor entry and extensions. Always check with the nearest Marshall Islands consulate or the immigration office in Majuro for the most current requirements before your trip.