23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call your nearest hospital:
Call your nearest police:
Do not travel to the Federated States of Micronesia.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
The crime rate is low. Petty crime happens, including house break-ins.
Travellers have reported sexual assault and other physical assaults.
The risk of crime is higher:
To protect yourself from crime:
Civil unrest is rare.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Avoid protests and demonstrations.
Monitor the news and other sources for advice of possible unrest. Avoid affected areas.
More information:
Dangerous currents are a risk to swimmers and surfers.
Ask locals about danger spots before swimming.
FSM experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:
To protect yourself in case of a natural disaster:
Tropical storms and typhoons may happen at any time of year. They mostly occur July to November. They typically peak in August and September.
Severe weather can cause flooding and landslides.
Severe weather can also disrupt essential services, such as water, electricity and telecommunications.
The direction and strength of typhoons can change suddenly.
If there's a typhoon or severe tropical storm:
To protect yourself during a typhoon or severe tropical storm:
More information:
Earthquakes and tremors happen regularly in FSM.
Ask your host or hotel about what to do if there's an earthquake.
To protect yourself during an earthquake:
After an earthquake:
Tsunamis can happen.
Register for tsunami alerts:
Move immediately to high ground if you:
Don't wait for official warnings, such as alarms or sirens.
Move to higher ground straight away if advised by local authorities.
Once on high ground, monitor local media.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in FSM. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
While there are no reported cases, COVID-19 remains a risk in FSM.
For information on FSM's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the Department of Health and Social Affairs website. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information:
There have been no recent reports of Zika virus in FSM. However, serious outbreaks of Zika virus and dengue sometimes happen.
If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
Mumps is steadily increasing in FSM.
To protect yourself from mumps, seek medical advice and get vaccinated before you travel.
Leptospirosis is common, including in Pohnpei.
To protect yourself from leptospirosis:
STIs are common in the FSM. Take precautions.
More information:
Hospital and medical facilities are limited. Basic supplies and medication can also be limited.
You may need to be evacuated if you become seriously ill or injured. FSM has no dedicated medical evacuation planes. They usually take at least 24 hours to arrive. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Evacuation can be delayed if you use commercial airlines due to infrequent flights.
Doctors and hospitals may ask you to pay before they'll treat you.
Facilities are limited for scuba-diving injuries. FSM has decompression chambers in:
Access to services and trained staff varies widely.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences are severe, and include long jail sentences and heavy fines.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Federated State of Micronesia does not recognise dual nationality.
Dress and behaviour codes are conservative. Take care not to offend. If you're a woman, wear clothing that covers your knees when you're outside of resorts.
No laws restrict the rights of LGBTI people or groups. However, social and cultural attitudes to same-sex relationships can be conservative.
Open affection between same-sex partners may attract negative attention and offend.
More information:
You can get a tourist visa on arrival. It's valid for 30 days. You'll need to show an onward or return ticket.
In other situations, you'll need an entry permit to:
Rules affecting your visit can change at short notice.
Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the Division of Immigration in Pohnpei for details about visas and entry permits, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Phone: (+691) 320 5844 or (+691) 320 2605
Fax: (+691) 320 7250 or (+691) 320 6240
Email: imhq@mail.fm
If you’re travelling through the US, you must also meet US entry or transit requirements. This includes transit through Hawaii and Guam.
Contact your nearest US embassy or consulate for travel advice.
FSM authorities have new entry measures due to COVID-19. Check with your airline or tour operator to confirm you meet all entry requirements.
Entry to the FSM has been suspended until further notice.
Contact your travel provider for details and follow the Australian Embassy in the FSM Australia in Micronesia for updates.
*The following information will only apply once COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted*
You must pay a cash departure fee in US dollars at domestic and international airports.
Carry cash with you. ATMs aren't available at most airports.
Each island has its own customs and immigration procedures.
More information:
If you're travelling with a child who isn't your own, you must carry a letter of travel permission from the child's legal guardian.
For you to travel legally, your letter must:
All vessels must have an entry permit.
If you're on a private vessel or yacht, you must contact the Division of Immigration at least 72 hours before you arrive.
Phone: (+691) 320 5844 or (+691) 320 2605
Email: imhq@mail.fm
More information:
The official currency is the US Dollar.
Credit cards are accepted in most hotels. ATMs are limited.
Contact your bank to make sure your cards will work overseas.
Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is valuable. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport.
Always keep your passport in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
Transport and tour operators may not follow safety precautions or maintain their equipment. This includes adventure activities, such as diving and yachting.
If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity:
If you aren't given safety equipment, or it's not in good condition, use another provider.
If you plan to dive, check you have insurance cover for:
Remnants of war are still present in FSM. Take extra care when boating or diving around Yap harbour and channels next to it.
It's dangerous and illegal to remove objects from sunken World War II wrecks.
You can use your Australian driver's licence for 1 month after you arrive. After that, you must apply for a local licence.
Driving can be hazardous.
Hazards include:
If you plan to drive:
More information:
Check that your insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike.
Always wear a helmet.
Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines.
Book through your hotel.
Public transport options are limited on the larger islands. In more remote areas, there's no public transport.
In some places, you can hire vehicles.
More information:
Sea travel can be dangerous in rain and storms.
To protect yourself while at sea:
Tell someone you trust when you expect to depart and return.
More information:
DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check FSM's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call your nearest police:
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
The Foreign Minister has decided to direct departures of all remaining non-essential staff and dependants from the Australian Embassy. This will not affect the provision of services to Australians.
For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Pohnpei.
H & E Building
Kolonia, Pohnpei
PO Box S
Federated States of Micronesia
Phone: (+691) 320 5448
Fax: (+691) 320 5449
Email: phpi.mail@dfat.gov.au
Website: fsm.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Micronesia
Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.