Marshall Islands
MHLThe Marshall Islands is a sovereign Pacific nation in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), granting Marshallese citizens the right to live and work in the US without a visa—an exceptional migration benefit rarely matched by other small-nation passports. The country uses the US dollar as its sole currency, eliminating currency risk for American-linked businesses and expatriates.
It operates as an internationally recognised ship and corporate registry, making it one of the world's top flag-of-convenience states. Low-lying atolls face acute climate-change vulnerability, with sea-level rise threatening long-term habitability. Healthcare and infrastructure remain limited, and most residents rely on remittances and US federal assistance.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Majuro
- Region
- oceania
- Population
- 42,000
- Cost-of-living
- 72 /100
Passport Rank
#84
Visa-Free
107
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Marshall Islands passport has visa-free access to 107 destinations. See the full Marshall Islands passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Marshall Islands without a prior visa (109)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Country Details
- Capital
- Majuro
- Currency
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Languages
- Marshallese, English
- Population
- 42,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Tropical oceanic; consistently warm and humid with a wet season from May to November
- GDP per capita
- $8,489
- Life expectancy
- 67.08 yrs
- Population growth
- -3.43%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
72
Safety
55
Healthcare
28
Quality of Life
32
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Majuro | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ebeye | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jaluit | — | — | — | — | — |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Visitor
- Work Permit
- Investor
- Family
- Student
- Authority
- Attorney General's Office - Immigration
- Official Portal
- www.rmiembassyus.org
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- Language Test
- No
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- No
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- —
- Processing
- —
Safety
GPI Rank
—
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Sources & last verified
- Last verified