If you’re planning to bring an international team to staff your company’s expansion to Micronesia, you will need to apply for the appropriate work visas. However, applying for the right visas and permits and gathering the proper documentation and clearances takes time.
As a global PEO, Globalization Partners streamlines the work visa application process. We’ll ensure your new hires obtain the correct documentation for legal employment, so they can begin working in-country as quickly as possible. We’ll also help you onboard and manage all employees, so you can focus your attention on your big-picture expansion goals.
Types of Micronesian Work Visas
There are several different types of work visas available, depending on the nature of your company and employment. The most common local work permits include:
- Private employment: Noncitizens can apply for an alien worker’s permit for authorized private employment. Employees who receive this permit can also request permits for their immediate family dependents.
- Foreign investors: Noncitizens working in the country as foreign investors defined by the Foreign Investment Act can request this specific permit.
- Researcher’s permits: Researchers may request an entry permit valid for up to two years, at which point they may request a renewal at the discretion of the Chief of Immigration.
Ordained, licensed and certified ministers or clergy members may also apply for a one-year missionary permit, as long as they can prove their operations in-country relate to religious activities.
What You Need to Obtain a Work Visa in Micronesia
Before your new team members can arrive in-country and begin working on one of these picturesque islands, they will need to obtain the proper work permits. Each work visa application must go through the Federated States of Micronesia’s Department of Resources and Development. The applicant will need to gather various documents, including:
- An official letter of employment from you.
- A birth certificate and valid passport.
- Police clearance from either their country of citizenship or most recent place of residence.
- A certificate of medical clearance.
How to Get a Work Visa in Micronesia
Your employees must obtain a work permit before moving to the country, as they will have to show their visa upon entry. The process begins by obtaining a list of required documentation and gathering the necessary paperwork. Because of limited digital resources, your employees may need to reach out to the country’s Department of Resources and Development to determine exactly what documents are required for certain visa types.
Once your employees have collected and submitted their application packet, they should wait for their visa to be granted before making any travel plans to the country. Depending on the type of work visa, it will likely be valid for one or two years at a time. Your employees will need to keep an eye on the visa’s expiration date to apply for renewals on time.
Other Visa and Permit Considerations
It is important to keep in mind that while the country has one federal government, each island airport has its own customs process and immigration officers. Your employees’ work visas will be valid in each state, but if you or your employees intend to conduct work across multiple states, you will need to fill out paperwork and go through immigration at each stop.
Contact Globalization Partners Today to Learn More
Globalization Partners takes all the guesswork out of a compliant global expansion. Our legal team will make sure all your employees have the work visas they need to begin working for your overseas company. Reach out to our team today to learn more about how our global PEO services can streamline your company’s goals.