Micronesia-USA

Bilateral in force

INTRODUCTION

Located in the Pacific Ocean, the Federated States of Micronesia is an island nation that maintains a unique political, economic, and military relationship with the United States through a bilateral Compact of Free Association (COFA). For over 40 years, the COFA has facilitated free movement between Micronesia and the United States. Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia can travel to the United States without a visa or additional permit authorisation to work, live, or study. Similarly, U.S. citizens can travel, live, study, and invest in Micronesia with no visa restrictions, although work authorisation is subject to local regulations. These provisions have remained unchanged since the COFA's implementation.

In 1947, the United Nations assigned the United States as the administering authority over the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which included the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The FSM became self-governing in 1979 and achieved full independence in 1986 upon the implementation of the Compact of Free Association (COFA). Signed in 1982 and in force since 1986, the COFA outlined a fifteen-year framework for U.S. economic assistance in exchange for military strategic access to the FSM territory. In 2003, amendments for extended economic assistance to the compact were enacted for an additional twenty years (2004-2023). The extension of the compact mainly focused on economic assistance, with minor changes to the immigration provisions. Under the “Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024,” the agreement was further renewed for another twenty years (2024-2044) under the Biden Administration.

Under the COFA, citizens of the FSM can lawfully enter, reside, work, and enlist in the military in the United States as nonimmigrants (visa-free) for an unlimited period. Family members and spouses of COFA migrants are also granted this benefit, provided they meet certain exemptions under regular U.S. immigration law. U.S. citizens may also reside and work in the FSM visa-free under the terms of the agreement. Individuals who obtained FSM citizenship through investment or similar programs are ineligible for COFA benefits.

STATE PARTIES

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
UNITED STATES

TIMELINE

1982	The Federated States of Micronesia and the United States signed the Compact of Free Association (COFA) on 1 October.
1986	The US Congress adopted legislation regarding the Compact and signed it into law, allowing it to take full effect on 13 November.
2003	The economic provisions of the Compact were amended and signed into law by Congress on 17 December.
2004	The FSM and U.S. governments signed documents to officially implement the Compact, as amended, on 25 June.
2024	The Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024 of 9 March renews funding and updates federal services for another twenty years (2024–2043).

KEY LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States. Signed, 1 October 1982 – Entry into Force 13 November 1986.

Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States. Signed, 1 October 1982 – Entry into Force 13 November 1986. Full text as amended in Palikir, 14 May 2003.

Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, Public Law 108-188.

Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024, Public Law 118-42.