Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Currency: The currency of the Republic of the Marshall Islands is U.S. dollars. The two ATMs on Majuro can be found at the Bank of Guam and at Robert Reimers Resort. A few hotels and restaurants accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. Most transactions are cash only.

Customs: Customs authorities of the Marshall Islands strictly prohibit the importation of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and indecent publications. Certification from the Quarantine Division is required to import animals, plants, and fruits. We advise you to contact the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or one of the Marshall Islands' consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements, especially when dealing with the importation of animals into the Marshall Islands.

Communication: The Marshall Islands relies primarily on radio in the remote outer islands, which causes some communication problems. Local telephone service as well as worldwide international long distance is available on Majuro and Ebeye. The cost for international calls is quite expensive. Internet service is also available and is relatively expensive.

LGBT Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBT events in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Same sex relations in the RMI are not criminalized. Section 13 of the RMI Bill of Rights states: “All persons shall be free from unreasonable interference in personal choices that do not injure others and from unreasonable intrusions into their privacy.” This clause, in Section 13, is respected in practice. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in RMI, you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report.

Women Travelers: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers. The RMI does not practice forced marriage or female genital mutilation. Domestic violence is an endemic problem in the country. A recent study found that seven out of ten Marshallese women experience violence at the hands of a family member or partner at some point in their lives. Women travelers should be aware of local modesty customs and dress conservatively while in public, with special care to cover shoulders and skin above the knee.

Persons with Mobility Issues: While in RMI, individuals with disabilities might find accessibility and accommodation very different from that in the United States. There are no mandated rules for special support for persons with disabilities. There are few ramps, almost no sidewalks, and few operational elevators in the Marshall Islands. Medical facilities have generally