A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call your nearest hospital:
Chuuk State Hospital (+691) 330 2216
Arthur Sigrah Memorial Hospital, Kosrae (+691) 370 3199
Yap State Hospital (+691) 350 2115 or (+691) 350 3446
Pohnpei State Hospital (+691) 320 3805 or (+691) 320 2213
Call your nearest police:
Chuuk (+691) 330 2223
Kosrae (+691) 370 3214
Yap (+691) 350 2415
Pohnpei - Emergency call 911 or (+691) 320 8633
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
The crime rate is low, but travellers have reported sexual and other physical assaults. Avoid walking alone at isolated locations and beaches, and walking alone at night.
Beach and sea conditions can be dangerous. Ask locals before swimming or surfing. When travelling by sea, take appropriate safety precautions.
Natural disasters including tropical storms, flooding, typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis can occur. Monitor local media or the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System for updates.
Tropical storms and typhoons are common from July to November. Be prepared for impacts to essential services, including food and water availability.
Full travel advice: Safety
There have been no recent reports of Zika virus. However, serious outbreaks of this and dengue can happen. If you're pregnant, discuss the risks with your doctor. Use insect repellent.
Mumps is steadily increasing. Get vaccinated before you leave.
Leptospirosis is common. Avoid contact with muddy water and local rivers. Store food in closed containers.
Hospital and medical facilities are limited. Medical evacuation planes for serious illness or injuries can take at least 24 hours to arrive. Get adequate travel insurance.
Full travel advice: Health
Dress and behaviour standards are conservative. If you're a woman, wear clothing that covers your knees outside of resorts.
Anti-LGBTI sentiment exists. Public displays of affection between same-sex partners may attract negative attention.
Full travel advice: Local laws
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days. Get a tourist visa when you arrive.
ATMs aren't available at most airports. Carry cash with you. You must pay a cash departure fee in US dollars when you leave.
A child cannot enter or exit FSM without a parent or legal guardian, or their written permission. If you're travelling with a child who is not your own, get a certified letter.
Unexploded remnants of war still exist. Take extra care boating or diving around Yap harbour and nearby channels.
Full travel advice: Travel
Our Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
The Australian Embassy in Pohnpei can provide consular assistance to Australians in the Federated States of Micronesia.
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:
at night
when alcohol is consumed
in the state of Chuuk
To protect yourself from crime:
keep windows, doors and gates locked
keep your vehicle locked
avoid going out alone after dark or in the early morning
avoid being alone in isolated locations, including beaches
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:
tropical storms
To protect yourself in case of a natural disaster:
secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
monitor local media or the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
follow the advice of local authorities
keep in touch with your friends and family
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:
you may get stuck in the area
flights could be unsafe, delayed or suspended
available flights may fill quickly
adequate shelter may not be available
ports may close
To protect yourself during a typhoon or severe tropical storm:
know the evacuation plan for your hotel or cruise ship
identify your local shelter
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:
consider tsunami risks
monitor earthquake information via the United States Geological Survey
After an earthquake:
expect aftershocks
be ready for delays and to adjust your travel plans
ask your tour operator if tourist services at your destination have been affected
Tsunamis can happen.
Register for tsunami alerts:
Move immediately to high ground if you:
feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
hear loud and unusual noises from the sea
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. 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:
what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need
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:
what the medication is
how much you'll take
that it's for personal use
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:
discuss travel plans with your doctor
consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas
To protect yourself from disease:
monitor local media for health advice
make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
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:
wear closed-toed shoes when walking along the water's edge
avoid contact with muddy water or local rivers
store food in closed containers
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:
Yap
Chuuk
Pohnpei
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:
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can’t help you.
You can get a tourist visa on arrival. It's valid for 30 days. You will need to show an onward or return ticket.
In other situations, you'll need an entry permit to:
work
study
stay for more than 30 days
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.
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:
If you're in Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you’re overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate.
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:
be certified
state that you're allowed to travel with the child
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:
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:
check that your insurance policy covers it
ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
always use the safety equipment, such as life jackets and seatbelts, even if others don't
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:
the depth of your planned dive
hyperbaric chamber treatment
medical evacuation costs
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:
poorly maintained roads
drivers not following traffic laws
unlit roads
bad road conditions after heavy rain
If you plan to drive:
stay on the right-hand side of the road
keep under the 40km/h (25mph) speed limit
in school zones, stay under the 24km/h (15mph) speed limit
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:
use your own life jacket
carry an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)
take a satellite phone
avoid single-engine boats
travel in a convoy with boats at half capacity or less
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:
family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider
employer
airline
Call your nearest hospital:
Chuuk State Hospital (+691) 330 2216
Arthur Sigrah Memorial Hospital, Kosrae (+691) 370 3199
Yap State Hospital (+691) 350 2115 or (+691) 350 3446
Pohnpei State Hospital (+691) 320 3805 or (+691) 320 2213
Call your nearest police:
Chuuk (+691) 330 2223
Kosrae (+691) 370 3214
Yap (+691) 350 2415
Pohnpei - Emergency call 911 or (+691) 320 8633
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.
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:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.