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Palau Entry Requirements

Palau Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-09-26
Before you travel: official formalities

  • Palau Entry Form

    Who
    Arriving passengers. One form per family or single traveller
    When
    At most 72 hours before departure to Palau

    Submitting the form generates a QR code, which travellers present when checking in and on arrival.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26

  • Palau Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee

    Who
    Every visitor to Palau
    When
    Included by airlines in the ticket price
    Cost
    USD 100

    International airlines include the USD 100 fee in the ticket price.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Entering Palau is straightforward for most travelers. Know the rules before you go. All passengers must complete an online Palau Entry Form within 72 hours of departure. Airlines collect a mandatory environmental fee as part of your ticket price. Beyond these two items, border requirements depend on your nationality, purpose of visit, and intended stay length. Immigration officers inspect documents on arrival. Preparation speeds everything up. Carry a passport with adequate validity, your entry form QR code, and proof of onward or return travel. Palau has limited consular infrastructure. Fixing paperwork problems after landing is difficult. Be ready. Entry rules change without warning. This guidance reflects general requirements, not guarantees. Confirm your specific obligations through Palau's official immigration website and your own country's foreign affairs department before departure.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Palau maintains bilateral agreements that vary by nationality. Your passport determines whether you enter visa-free, apply for advance authorization, or obtain a traditional visa. These arrangements shift periodically. Verify your eligibility and permitted stay length through the official Palau immigration website before booking.

Visa-Free Entry
Stay length depends on your nationality and bilateral agreement terms. Check the official Palau immigration website for your specific allowance.

Some nationalities enter Palau without advance visas. Eligibility, permitted duration, and attached conditions vary by passport. Rules change.

Visa-free entry still requires completing the Palau Entry Form before departure. You will likely need a valid passport, proof of onward or return travel, and evidence of sufficient funds. Immigration officers may refuse entry or shorten your stay.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
The entry form does not set your permitted stay length. Visa or visa-free terms govern that.

Every passenger must complete the Palau Entry Form online before departure. This mandatory pre-arrival submission applies regardless of nationality. One form covers an entire family. Solo travelers submit individually. Complete it within 72 hours of your departure flight to Palau. The system generates a QR code. Present this at airline check-in and on arrival.

How to Apply: Submit through the official Palau Entry Form website. The online process collects standard traveler information. You receive a QR code upon submission. Save it to your phone or print it. Complete within the 72-hour window before departure. Do not submit too early.
Cost: No separate fee applies to the entry form itself. The mandatory Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee applies to every visitor. Airlines collect this as part of your ticket price. No additional payment is required during entry form submission or on arrival.

Do not confuse the Palau Entry Form with a visa. You may still need a visa depending on nationality. Check the official government immigration website for guidance on electronic authorizations or additional visa requirements if your situation is not covered here.

Visa Required
Visa stay duration depends on visa type and Palau immigration authority terms. Confirm when applying.

Travelers without visa-free eligibility must obtain a visa before departure. Requirements, processing times, and procedures vary. Rules change.

How to Apply: Palau has limited diplomatic representation abroad. Submit visa applications through a Palau embassy or honorary consulate, or sometimes through a designated partner embassy. Contact the nearest Palau diplomatic mission or consult the official immigration website for procedures, required documents, and processing times. Allow extra time. Processing runs slower than in larger countries.

All travelers must complete the Palau Entry Form within 72 hours of departure, even with visas. A visa does not exempt you. The official Palau immigration website is authoritative if you are uncertain about visa requirements.

Arrival Process

You will land at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport on Babeldaob Island. This small airport handles virtually all international flights. The arrival process is manageable but methodical. Keep documents organized and accessible. This keeps everything moving.

1
Complete the Palau Entry Form before departure
Submit the online Palau Entry Form within 72 hours of your flight. One form covers an entire family traveling together. You may also submit individually. Save the QR code generated upon completion. You will need it at airline check-in and again on arrival. Without this QR code, boarding or clearing immigration becomes difficult. Do not skip this step.
2
Present your QR code at airline check-in
Airline staff will ask to see your QR code and passport at check-in. The Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee is already included in your ticket price. There is nothing additional to pay at this stage.
3
Arrive and proceed to immigration
Follow signs to the immigration hall after landing at Roman Tmetuchl International Airport. Have your passport, QR code, and supporting documents ready. Queue length varies based on flight arrivals. The airport is modest. The walk from aircraft to immigration desks is short.
4
Immigration inspection
An immigration officer will scan your QR code and check your passport. They may ask about your visit purpose, length, accommodation, and onward travel plans. They may request proof of sufficient funds and a confirmed return or onward ticket. Answer honestly. Keep documents accessible.
5
Collect baggage and proceed to customs
Collect your luggage from the baggage carousel after clearing immigration. Proceed to customs. Declare items exceeding duty-free allowances or in restricted categories. Palau takes environmental protection seriously. Expect scrutiny of agricultural products, plant material, and similar items.
6
Exit the airport
You are free to enter Palau once through customs. Ground transport options include hotel shuttles and taxis. The airport sits on Babeldaob. A bridge connects it to Koror, where most tourist accommodation is concentrated.

Documents to Have Ready

Valid passport
Your passport needs adequate validity beyond your planned departure from Palau. Pacific island nations commonly require at least six months. Confirm current requirements on the official immigration website. Ensure blank pages are available for entry stamps.
Palau Entry Form QR code
The QR code is generated after completing the mandatory online Palau Entry Form within 72 hours of departure. One form covers a family or individual travelers. It is required at airline check-in and immigration on arrival. Save it to your phone. Print a backup copy.
Proof of onward or return travel
Immigration officers may request a confirmed ticket departing Palau. This is standard in many Pacific island nations. It demonstrates you do not intend to overstay.
Proof of accommodation
Carry a hotel booking confirmation or a letter from your Palau host. Officers do not always request this. Having it accessible can speed up immigration.
Evidence of sufficient funds
Officers may ask you to demonstrate you can support yourself during your stay. A credit card, bank statement, or reasonable cash amount for your trip length should suffice.
Visa, if applicable
Carry original visa documentation if your nationality requires a Palau visa. A visa does not replace the Palau Entry Form. All travelers must complete the entry form regardless of visa status.
Pristine Paradise Environmental Fee (no action needed)
Every visitor pays a mandatory environmental fee. Airlines include this in your ticket price. There is no separate payment or receipt to carry. Check your ticket breakdown. You may see it listed there.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete the Palau Entry Form close to the 72-hour window. Do not submit weeks in advance. The form must be submitted within 72 hours of departure. Submitting too early means redoing it.
Save your QR code in multiple places. Screenshot it. Email it to yourself. Consider printing a paper copy. Relying solely on phone internet at a Pacific island airport is unnecessary risk.
Palau's airport is small. Staffing can be limited. Multiple flights landing close together create longer immigration queues than expected. Patience helps. Have documents ready.
Check transit visa or entry requirements for any country you pass through en route to Palau. Some travelers connect through Guam, Taipei, Manila, or Seoul. Each has its own transit rules.
Carry a pen. The primary entry form is digital. You may still encounter supplementary customs or health declaration cards on the flight or at the airport.
Palau uses the US dollar. No need to exchange money before arrival if you have US dollars or an internationally working card.

Customs & Duty-Free

Palau's customs regulations follow standard international norms and reflect deep commitment to environmental preservation. The islands' ecosystems are fragile. Authorities are vigilant about items that could introduce invasive species, damage reefs, or harm wildlife. Expect luggage inspection. Declare anything outside standard personal-use allowances.

Alcohol
You may bring a limited quantity of alcoholic beverages for personal consumption. Exact allowances vary. Confirm current limits with Palau customs before travel.
You must be of legal drinking age. Alcohol exceeding the duty-free allowance is subject to duties.
Tobacco
You may bring a modest quantity of cigarettes or tobacco products for personal use. Confirm current specific limits with Palau customs.
You must be of legal age. Palau has public-health-motivated tobacco restrictions. Learn local smoking regulations once in the country.
Currency
There is typically a threshold above which cash or monetary instruments must be declared upon entry or exit.
Declare cash or traveler's checks proactively. Palau uses the US dollar. No exchange headaches. But undeclared sums over $10,000 get confiscated.
Gifts and personal goods
Personal items and gifts for personal use enter duty-free in reasonable quantities.
Commercial goods attract duties. Permits may apply. Declare anything uncertain.

Prohibited Items

  • Illegal narcotics and controlled substances carry serious criminal penalties in Palau.
  • Firearms, ammunition, and explosives need advance government authorization.
  • Reef-toxic sunscreen with oxybenzone or octinoxate is banned. Bring reef-safe alternatives instead.
  • Products from endangered species are prohibited. This includes coral, tortoiseshell, and protected animal products under international conventions.
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated materials

Restricted Items

  • Keep prescription medications in original packaging. Carry your prescription or doctor's letter. Quantities must match personal use for your trip duration.
  • Fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, and soil face agricultural inspection. Confiscation protects Palau's ecosystem from invasive species.
  • Meat and dairy may face inspection or restrictions. Rules vary by origin country.
  • Fishing equipment, spearfishing gear, may need permits under marine conservation laws.
  • Drones require prior government authorization for import and operation.

Health Requirements

Palau keeps health requirements minimal. Facilities are limited compared to mainland centers. Arrive prepared. This matters more here.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries. Standard international rule. Not Palau-specific.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A recommended. Food and water risks exist in tropical settings.
  • Hepatitis B advised for medical procedures or extended stays.
  • Typhoid, if you plan to eat outside of major hotels and restaurants
  • Update routine vaccinations. MMR, DTaP, and polio matter.
  • Influenza vaccine helps. Air travel means close quarters. Island medical infrastructure is limited.

Health Insurance

Palau's medical facilities are basic. Serious cases need evacuation to Guam, the Philippines, or elsewhere. This costs extraordinarily. Get complete insurance covering medical evacuation. Essential, not optional. Verify Pacific coverage and diving inclusion.

Current Health Requirements: Yellow fever certificate needed if arriving from risk countries. Palau lacks broad mandatory health screening otherwise. Policies shift with outbreaks. Check Palau Bureau of Public Health or your country's advisory before departure.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Palau maintains limited diplomatic representation worldwide. Locate your nearest embassy, consulate, or honorary consul through your foreign affairs department before traveling.
No Palau representation nearby? Check if another nation handles their consular matters. Your government's Palau advisory lists regional emergency contacts.
Immigration Authority
The Bureau of Immigration, under the Ministry of Justice, manages visas and entry.
Check official immigration resources for visa eligibility, stays, extensions, and the Entry Form. Fix problems before arrival. Much easier.
Emergency
Palau uses one centralized emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance.
Response times exceed major city standards. Divers should locate the nearest recompression chamber. Decompression sickness is a known risk in this world-well-known dive destination.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Children need valid passports. Single-parent travelers should carry notarized consent from the absent parent plus birth certificate copies. Airlines and transit countries often check. Documentation prevents delays. Unaccompanied minors face extra scrutiny. Include each child on the family Entry Form or submit individual forms.

Traveling with Pets

Importing animals into Palau requires advance planning and documentation. You will generally need a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian shortly before departure, proof of current rabies vaccination, and an import permit from Palau's Bureau of Agriculture. Palau's island ecosystem is sensitive. Authorities are cautious about introducing animals that could carry diseases or become invasive. Contact the Bureau of Agriculture well in advance of travel. Processing times for permits may be lengthy. Requirements can change.

Extended Stays

If you wish to stay in Palau beyond the period initially granted at immigration, you will need to apply for an extension through the Bureau of Immigration before your current authorization expires. Overstaying is taken seriously. It can result in fines, detention, or future entry bans. For those intending to work, study, or reside in Palau long-term, specific visa categories exist. These must generally be arranged before arrival. Consult the official immigration website for the types of permits available and their application processes.

Dive Travel Considerations

Palau is one of the world's premier diving destinations. Many visitors arrive specifically to dive. If you are bringing your own dive equipment, there are no special import restrictions. Bulky gear should be accounted for in your airline baggage allowance. Palau's marine sanctuary laws are strict. Certain areas require dive permits. Some dive sites restrict the number of divers allowed per day. Your dive operator will typically arrange site permits. Confirm this in advance. Ensure your travel insurance explicitly covers diving-related incidents, including recompression treatment.

Journalists and Film Crews

Media professionals intending to film or report in Palau may need prior authorization. This applies for work in protected marine or cultural areas. Contact the Palau Visitors Authority or the relevant government ministry before arrival. Confirm whether a media permit is required for your planned activities. Do this early.

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