The United States permits citizens of four countries—Canada, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau—to enter without a visa, though the conditions and duration of stay differ for each. According to the US Department of State, Canadian citizens generally do not need non-immigrant visas for tourism and certain temporary visits. The other three countries benefit from the Compacts of Free Association, which grant eligible citizens the right to enter, live, work, and study in the US under the agreements' terms.
Canada: Six-Month Stay for Tourists
Canadian citizens typically do not require a US visa for tourism and many temporary visits. According to the Canadian government's travel advice, Canadian visitors can usually remain in the United States for up to six months, but US border officials make the final decision on the period of admission. Some categories of travel and individual circumstances may still require a visa or other authorisation. Canadian permanent residents who are not Canadian citizens may also need a visa, depending on their nationality.
Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau: Compact of Free Association
Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau enjoy visa-free access under the Compact of Free Association. This arrangement differs from the standard Visa Waiver Programme, which generally permits qualifying visitors to stay for up to 90 days with approved Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) authorisation. The Compact allows eligible citizens to enter the US without a visa and to live, work, and study there, providing a separate legal basis for travel and residence.
What Travellers Should Know
Visa-free entry does not guarantee admission to the United States. Travellers must meet applicable entry requirements, and US authorities retain the power to determine whether an individual can enter. The four countries do not all fall under the same visa exemption system: Canada has its own arrangements, while the Pacific island nations benefit from the Compacts of Free Association.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the US Mission extended the eligible term for nonimmigrant visa renewals from 24 to 48 months. Applicants whose prior US visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire within the next three months are now eligible for visa renewal without an interview. According to the US Mission, hundreds of visa renewal appointments are being made available to applicants who desire to renew their visas.
