Overview

The Basics

The Marshall Islands are two archipelagic chains of over 1,000 islands and 30 atolls located in Oceania about half way between Australia and Hawaii.

The Marshall Islands have a tropical climate and the average daily temperature is 27 degrees Celsius. Cool trade winds and regularly rainfall cool the high temperatures.

The environment on and around the islands is perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, and sports fishing. There are also a number of sunken ships from World War II around the islands that attract wreck sightseers and scuba divers alike.

It is possible to access nearly all of the atolls by small plain. It is possible to catch regular flights to Guam, Hawaii, and Fiji on the Majuro and Kwajalein, which are also the two major population centers.

The first people to settle the Marshall Islands were ethnically Mayo/Polynesian; they arrived on the islands about 1,000 B.C. During the 16th Century, Spanish navigators in search of a westerly route to the Spice Islands became the first Europeans to visit the area. Spain maintained control over the islands from 1500 until the Germans took over in 1885. Nevertheless, the islands got their name from British naval explorer John Marshall in 1788. Germany continued to control the islands until World War I, and Japan took control of the islands in 1917. In 1944, after the end of World War II, the Marshall Islands became a United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and were administered by the United States.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands was established in 1979 and became independent in 1986 having signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The Republic of the Marshall Islands has been a full member of the United Nations since 1991 and has diplomatic relationships with major maritime and industrial nations around the world.

Both of the nation’s official languages, English and Marshallese, are taught in school.

As of July 2006, roughly 60,000 people live on the Marshall Islands. The capital of the Marshall Islands is Majuro atoll, which is also the most development atoll. It is home to nearly 30,000 people and has a flourishing commercial and political center.

Government and Economy

The government of the Marshall Islands is modeled after New Zealand’s government with only a few changes for example the chief minister and head of state is given the title of president.

The unicameral Parliament has 33 members who are elected by popular vote for four-year terms. In addition, there is a 12-member Council of Chiefs who offer advice on issues that relate to customary law and practice. The President, who is chief of state and head of government, is responsible for appointing a Cabinet, whose members are selected from Parliament. The Judicial Branch is made up of the Supreme Court, High Court, and a number of district and community courts as well as a traditional rights court. Trials are either by judge or jury.

The business environment of the Marshall Islands is stable and it has a well-developed infrastructure that facilitates economic growth.

Fishing, aquaculture farming, copra (dried coconut), and tourisms are just a few of the islands’ commercial activities.

Foreign Affairs

Anyone wishing to enter the Marshall Islands must have a passport that is valid for one year from the arrival date. Citizens of the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau do not have to get Visas to enter the Marshall Islands. Visitors from all other countries are currently required to purchase either a $25 USD tourist visa, which is valid for three months, or a $50 USD business visa. Both types of visas will be issued upon arrival.

With the exception of cruise ship passengers, all US passport holders are allowed to stay up to 30 days without a visa, but they must obtain a permit before entering the country.

All visitors must prove that they have sufficient funds for their stay and possess an onward or return air or sea ticket or sufficient funds for such ticket for stays up to 30 days. Stays may be extended for up to 90 days from date of entry). The Marshall Islands levies a departure fee of $15 US, but visitors over the age of 60 are exempt from this fee.

All travelers that come from infected areas must provide yellow fever certificates and proof of cholera vaccinations. It is advisable to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus and diphtheria before traveling to the Marshall Islands. An AIDS certificate is required for anyone planning to stay for more than 30 days.

The Attorney General of the Marshall Islands is responsible for issuing temporary residence permits.

Non-resident workers must obtain a work permit regardless of the terms of their employment. Employers are required by the government to adhere to the following three-stage process to obtain work permits for non-resident workers.

• First, the Chief of Labor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be notified by letter of their desire to employ a non-resident worker for a certain position.

• Second, an attempt to hire a citizen for the position, including advertising the position in a local newspaper and on the radio must be made.

• Third, only after completing the first two steps and if they are unable to hire a citizen worker, can they apply, using a form dictated by the government, to the Chief of Labor requesting a specific non-resident worker be allowed to fill the position. The application cannot be submitted until at least 30 after the initial advertisement for the position. It is necessary for the investor must show evidence of their efforts to hire a citizen worker in their application. They also must demonstrate that the proposed non-resident worker is fully qualified to fill the position and does not have any communicable diseases or a criminal record \\. Every effort is made to relay the government’s decision regarding an application within two weeks of its submission.

A work permit is issued for a specific non-resident worker for a period of one year. It is necessary to renew the permit at the end of the calendar year. It is possible to renew work permits for a total of two years. The Cabinet has the power to extend permits for a third year. The Government requires all employers with non-resident workers to promise, in writing, to cover the cost of repatriating non-resident workers to the place from which they were hired.

Non-citizen investors issued with a foreign investment business license are not required to obtain a work permit for themselves. Moreover, citizens of the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau do not have to obtain work permits to be employed in the Marshall Islands. However, Non-citizen investors and nationals of the above-mentioned countries alike must register with the Labor Office.