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 625 8666 or 625 2333.
Exercise normal safety precautions in the Marshall Islands.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
The Marshall Islands' crime rate is low, but petty crime, such as break-ins and theft occur, assaults also occur. Pay attention to your security, especially at night and in isolated areas.
Typhoon season is July to November, with peaks in August and September. However, typhoons can occur at any time. Know your accommodation's evacuation plan and where your local shelter is.
The Marshall Islands is at risk of tsunamis. Know the evacuation plans for your accommodation.
Full travel advice: Safety
Insect-borne diseases, such as dengue, are present in the Marshall Islands. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
Outbreaks of Zika virus occur. If you're pregnant, discuss your travel plans with your doctor.
Cases of hepatitis A have been reported since 2017. Get vaccinated at least 4 weeks before you travel. Know and follow health advice to reduce your risk of exposure to hepatitis A.
Outbreaks of mumps occurred in 2017. Get the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before you travel.
Hospital facilities and medical supplies are limited. Bring enough medication for your whole trip. Ensure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation.
Full travel advice: Health
Don't use or carry illegal drugs, including marijuana. Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long prison sentences and heavy fines.
Same-sex relationships are legal, but cultural attitudes are conservative. Avoid public displays of affection.
The Marshall Islands has conservative dress and behaviour standards. Outside resorts, women should wear clothing that covers the knees.
The RMI government is restricting travel to islands other than Majuro and Ebeye in order to limit the spread of dengue fever to those destinations.
Australians get a 30-day visitor visa on arrival. Pay to extend your visa at the Division of Immigration.
Kwajalein Island hosts a US military base. If you want to travel to Kwajalein, you must have an entry authorisation from the US military.
If you're travelling via the US, you must meet US entry or transit requirements. Contact your nearest US embassy or consulate for details.
The local currency is the US Dollar.
You can drive using an Australian licence or International Driving Permit for up to 30 days. After 30 days, you'll need a local licence. Carry your licence when you drive.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in the Marshall Islands. For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
The crime rate in the Marshall Islands is low.
Petty crime such as house break-ins, theft and assaults occur. Alcohol plays a role in most crimes, especially assaults.
Your risk of being affected by crime increases:
at night
early in the morning
at isolated locations, such as beaches
Pay attention to your personal security.
Civil unrest is uncommon in the Marshall Islands.
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:
Tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This applies to adventure sports, such as diving and yachting.
If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity:
check if your travel insurance policy covers it
ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
The Marshall Islands experiences severe weather, including tropical storms and typhoons, which can cause:
localised flooding
disruptions to services
The low-lying islands and atolls are less than 2m above sea level. Urban centres are susceptible to flooding from waves and king tides.
The direction and strength of typhoons can change suddenly.
Typhoon season is from July to November, with peaks in August and September. However, typhoons can occur at any time.
To reduce your risks during typhoon season:
know your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans
secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
contact your tour operator to check affected services
If the area is affected by a typhoon:
flights could be delayed or suspended
available flights may fill quickly
access to ports could be affected
adequate shelter may not be available
Contact your airline for flight updates.
To protect yourself during a typhoon:
identify your local shelter
follow the advice of local authorities
monitor local media and the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre
keep in contact with your friends and family
More information:
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis. However, the Pacific Ocean has a higher risk of large, destructive tsunamis.
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 take medication, check if it's legal in the Marshall Islands. 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:
Outbreaks of dengue and Zika virus can occur. Some outbreaks can be serious.
If you're pregnant:
talk to your doctor
defer non-essential travel to affected areas
monitor local media for health announcements
To protect yourself from disease:
make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
Cases of hepatitis A have occurred since January 2017. It's a viral liver disease that can cause serious illness.
You can catch hepatitis A by:
eating contaminated food
drinking contaminated water
having contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person
Get vaccinated against hepatitis A at least 4 weeks before you go.
If you're not vaccinated, handwashing is important to prevent hepatitis A. Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 10 seconds:
after going to the toilet
before eating
before preparing food or drink
after touching objects like nappies and condoms
Dry your hands on a clean towel.
During sex, use condoms or other barrier protection.
Outbreaks of mumps occurred in 2017.
Get vaccinated against mumps with the measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine (2 doses) before you go.
Foodborne, waterborne and other infectious diseases are a risk.
To reduce your risk of illness:
drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
avoid ice cubes
avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads
Get urgent medical attention if you have a fever or diarrhoea or if you suspect food poisoning.
More information:
Hospital facilities and medical supplies are limited.
Medical evacuation:
may be required if you're seriously ill or injured
may be delayed due to infrequent flights
can be very expensive
Bring enough medication for your entire visit.
You may need to pay up-front for medical services.
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-related offences, including marijuana use, are severe. You could get a long jail term or heavy fine.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are legal, but cultural attitudes can be conservative. Avoid public displays of affection.
More information:
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative. Take care not to offend.
If you're a woman, wear clothing to covers your knees outside of resorts.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
The Republic of Marshall Islands recognises dual nationals.
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'll get a 30-day visitor visa on arrival. You can pay to extend your visa at the Division of Immigration.
If you want to travel to Kwajalein, you must have an Entry Authorisation from the US Military.
Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the Division of Immigration for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Division of Immigration
Phone: (+692) 625 8633 or (+692) 625 4572
Facebook: www.facebook.com/repmarimmigration
Email: rmi_majuro@rmi-immigration.com
If you're travelling through the US, you must meet US entry or transit requirements. Check with your nearest US embassy or consulate.
More information:
If you're travelling with a child who isn't your own, carry a notarised letter of consent from their legal guardian.
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 a valuable document. 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 it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The local currency is the US Dollar (USD).
You can drive for up to 30 days with either:
an Australian driver's licence, or
an International Driving Permit (IDP)
After 30 days, you must get a local licence.
You must carry your licence when you drive.
If you don't have a licence, your insurance may not cover you.
Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Driving can be hazardous due to:
poorly maintained roads
poor driving standards
lack of streetlights
Road conditions can deteriorate after heavy rain.
More information:
DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check the Marshall Islands' 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 625 8666 or 625 2333.
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.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in the Marshall Islands. You can get consular assistance from the Australian Embassy in the Federated States of Micronesia.
H & E Enterprises Building
Kolonia
Pohnpei, 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.