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Last Updated: November 5, 2007 12:46 EST
Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:21 EST
TRAVEL REPORT
Micronesia (FSM) 		 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
 RECENT UPDATES
2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
12. ANNEX

1. RECENT UPDATES

Sections 1, 2, 3, of this Travel Report have been updated.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Micronesia
Exercise normal security precautionsExercise high degree of cautionAvoid non-essential travelAvoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Micronesia do not experience problems. There are no serious security or safety concerns.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

There are no serious security or safety concerns. Petty crime is prevalent. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings and passports are secure.

Tourist facilities and services are limited.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the authorities of the Federated States of Micronesia and was valid on March 24, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

For further information, contact the Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia, 1725 N Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20036, U.S.A. (tel.: 202-223-4383/ fax: 202-223-4391/ e-mail: admin@fsmembassydc.org/ Web site: www.fsmembassydc.org).

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit FSM. The passport should be valid for at least four months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a return or onward airline ticket. Entry permits are issued upon arrival.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 30 days)
Business Visa: Not required
Student Visa: Not required

There is a departure fee of US$10 from Pohnpei and Kosrae, and US$15 from Chuuk.


A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

There is no resident Canadian government office in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Canadians in FSM can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Australian Embassy in Pohnpei (under the Canada-Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement) at the following address:

Micronesia (FSM) - POHNPEI, Australian Embassy
Address: H & E Enterprises Building, Kolonia, Pohnpei, Micronesia
Postal Address: P.O. Box S, Kolonia, Pohnpei,
Tel.: 691 320-5448
Fax: 691 320-5449

The High Commission of Canada in Canberra, Australia, has consular responsibility for FSM. The address is as follows:

Australia - CANBERRA, High Commission of Canada
Address: Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra ACT, Australia 2600
Tel.: 61 (2) 6270-4000
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 0011-800-2326-6831
Fax: 61 (2) 6270-4081
E-Mail: cnbra@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/australia

For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Canberra, Australia, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict.  Homosexuality is illegal.

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7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Most roads are in poor condition. Roads outside towns are often unpaved. Streetlights are rare. Many drivers do not follow safe driving practices. There is a public bus system on the island of Yap. Travel between islands is done by boat.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.


The currency is the U.S. dollar (USD). Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels and tourist facilities. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machines in other countries.

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine (ABM) services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The typhoon season extends from June to December. Resulting damage, such as landslides, can be severe. Heavy rainfalls are common, particularly in the eastern islands. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

See our Current Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons.

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9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

All public medical services are provided from the local hospital. There are few medical clinics. Services are limited and should be used only in an emergency. Specialist services are extremely limited. Medical evacuation to Guam, Hawaii, or Australia is necessary for cases of serious illness.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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Date modified: 2007-11-05
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