NationalityLaws
Micronesia flag

Micronesia.fm

Dual Citizenship: No Oceania

Do I need a visa?

Full visa checker →

Country Snapshot

Passport Power
#74
68 visa-free
Henley Passport Index 2026
Human Development
#136
of 193 countries
UNDP HDI 2024
Economic Freedom
50.4
of 100
Heritage Foundation 2024
Business Friendliness
2/10
Nationality Index Assessment

Micronesia

Last Updated: 2026-04-02

Official Portal: Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Embassy Finder: FSM Embassy, Washington D.C.

Quick Facts

CategoryDetails
Residency for naturalization5 years lawful residence
Language requirementNo formal language requirement, though knowledge of English (official language) or a regional language is expected
Civics testNo formal civics examination
Processing time12—24 months (limited administrative capacity)
Naturalization feeUSD 200
Dual citizenshipNot permitted; voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship results in automatic loss
Citizenship by birth in FSMYes, if at least one parent is an FSM citizen
Citizenship by descentAvailable to persons born abroad to at least one FSM citizen parent
Governing lawConstitution of the Federated States of Micronesia (1979), Article III; FSM Citizenship Act, Title 7 of the FSM Code

Dual Citizenship

The Federated States of Micronesia does not permit dual citizenship. The Constitution explicitly addresses this, making it one of the most restrictive Pacific Island nations regarding multiple nationality.

Key provisions:

  • Article III, Section 3 of the FSM Constitution states that a citizen of the FSM who voluntarily acquires or voluntarily retains citizenship of another nation loses FSM citizenship.
  • This applies to all categories of FSM citizens, including those by birth.
  • There is no grace period, no exception for minors, and no provision for retention.

Compact of Free Association (COFA): Despite the prohibition on dual citizenship, FSM citizens enjoy a unique immigration relationship with the United States under the Compact of Free Association, first signed in 1986 and renewed in 2023. Under the COFA, FSM citizens may enter, reside, and work in the United States without a visa. They are not U.S. citizens or nationals, but this arrangement provides many of the practical benefits of dual nationality without the legal status. Approximately 50,000 Micronesians now live in the United States, primarily in Hawaii, Guam, and the Pacific Northwest. However, any FSM citizen who naturalizes as a U.S. citizen automatically forfeits FSM citizenship.

Practical impact: The prohibition creates a difficult choice for FSM citizens living in the United States. They can remain indefinitely under COFA status with work authorization but without access to certain federal benefits, or they can naturalize as U.S. citizens and permanently sever their legal tie to the FSM.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth

A child born in the Federated States of Micronesia acquires citizenship at birth if at least one parent is a citizen of the FSM at the time of the birth.

Key notes:

  • No unconditional jus soli exists. Birth on FSM territory to non-citizen parents does not confer citizenship.
  • The rule is strictly jus sanguinis with a territorial birth element.

By Descent

A person born outside the FSM acquires citizenship if at least one parent is an FSM citizen at the time of birth.

Conditions:

  • The birth must be registered with FSM authorities.
  • The Constitution does not impose a strict generational limit, but registration is essential.
  • Given the large diaspora in the U.S. under COFA, descent-based citizenship claims from persons born in the U.S. to FSM parents are common.

By Adoption

A child adopted by an FSM citizen may acquire citizenship, provided:

  • The adoption is legally recognized under FSM or state law (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, or Kosrae each have distinct legal traditions).
  • The child is a minor at the time of adoption.
  • Customary adoption is widely practiced in Micronesian culture and may be recognized for citizenship purposes if validated through the courts.

By Marriage

Marriage to an FSM citizen does not confer citizenship automatically. A foreign spouse must apply for naturalization under the standard process. There is no reduced residency requirement for spouses.

By Naturalization

RequirementDetails
Lawful residence5 years in the FSM
Good characterMust demonstrate good moral character
KnowledgeGeneral understanding of FSM history, government, and customs
Intent to resideMust intend to make the FSM a permanent home
RenunciationMust renounce all other citizenships
Oath of allegianceMust take an oath of allegiance to the FSM
Congressional approvalNaturalization requires an act of the FSM Congress — an exceptionally high bar
FeeUSD 200

Critical note: Naturalization in the FSM is extraordinarily rare. Unlike most countries where naturalization is an administrative process, the FSM Constitution requires an act of Congress for each individual naturalization. This makes the FSM one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to naturalize. Very few non-citizens have ever been granted FSM citizenship through this process.

Loss and Renunciation

Automatic Loss

An FSM citizen who voluntarily acquires or voluntarily retains citizenship of another country automatically loses FSM citizenship. This applies to citizens by birth and by descent equally — there is no protected class of citizens exempt from this rule.

Voluntary Renunciation

A citizen may renounce FSM citizenship by written declaration, provided:

  • The person holds or has been assured citizenship of another country.
  • The renunciation will not render the person stateless.

Deprivation

Naturalized citizens may lose citizenship if:

  • Citizenship was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation.
  • The act of Congress granting citizenship is repealed.

Citizens by birth generally cannot be deprived of citizenship except through the automatic loss provision for acquiring another nationality.

Restoration of Nationality

The FSM Constitution and Code do not provide a formal restoration mechanism for former citizens. A person who lost FSM citizenship by acquiring another nationality would need to:

  1. Renounce the foreign nationality.
  2. Re-establish residence in the FSM.
  3. Seek a new act of Congress for naturalization — an exceptionally difficult path.

In practice, restoration of citizenship for former FSM citizens is nearly impossible through legal channels. This has been criticized by diaspora communities, particularly in Hawaii and Guam.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

  • A child found in the FSM whose parents are unknown is presumed to be an FSM citizen.
  • The Constitution provides safeguards against statelessness for children born on FSM territory who would otherwise have no nationality.
  • The FSM is not a party to the 1954 or 1961 UN Conventions on statelessness.
  • The four constituent states (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae) each have distinct cultural practices regarding lineage and belonging that can affect the practical application of citizenship provisions.

Document Checklist

  • Completed citizenship application form
  • Valid passport (current and previous)
  • Birth certificate (with certified English translation if necessary)
  • Evidence of 5 years lawful residence in the FSM
  • Police clearance certificate (from FSM and countries of prior residence)
  • Proof of renunciation of all prior citizenships
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Two passport-sized photographs
  • Character references from FSM citizens
  • Petition to the FSM Congress (for naturalization cases)
  • Declaration of intent to reside permanently in the FSM
  • Payment of prescribed fee (USD 200)

Sources

  1. Constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia (1979) — Article III (Citizenship). https://gov.fm/

  2. FSM Code, Title 7 (Citizenship) — Statutory provisions on citizenship acquisition and loss. http://www.paclii.org/fm/legis/

  3. Compact of Free Association (as amended 2023) — U.S.-FSM bilateral agreement. https://www.state.gov/

  4. FSM Embassy, Washington D.C. — Consular services and citizenship information. https://fsmembassy.fm/

  5. Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute (PacLII) — Repository of FSM legislation and case law. http://www.paclii.org/fm/

← All Countries