Micronesia (FSM) student entry permit

Section 103(3) of the Immigration Act provides a student permit for a specified period tied to enrolment in a school or educational programme, and section 7.3 of the Immigration Regulations issues it to a person enrolled as a full-time student, on a showing of that enrolment. The regulations also allow any non-citizen already holding a permit to enrol in an educational institution under that permit, so a worker or dependant does not need a separate student permit to take classes. Visits of 30 days or less need no permit at all.

The application on the Division's entry permit form shows the school, the address in the FSM, the sponsor, family members travelling with the student, previous FSM permits and the purpose of entry in detail. Proof of full-time enrolment is the core document. Every entry permit application must include a police clearance from the last place where the applicant lived for at least six months, showing no conviction for a felony or a crime of moral turpitude, and a doctor's written certificate of good health; people who have already lived in the FSM for six months before applying need neither. The Division's checklist adds a copy of the passport data page, one passport photo signed on the back and, where relevant, a notarised affidavit of support or dependency. At entry the passport must be valid for at least 120 days beyond the authorised stay, and every arriving non-citizen completes the Immigration and Departure Control Record, Form 5004.

The 2005 Immigration Regulations, published by the FSM Embassy in Washington, set the student entry permit fee at 5 US dollars, payable with the application or renewal; the fee is refunded if the permit is denied, except 5 dollars. A spouse or dependant permit costs 10 dollars. A change into student status from another permit type costs 1,000 dollars, except for citizens of the Marshall Islands and Palau.

Permits must be applied for and paid before arrival, and the permit has to be carried on entry; a person who arrives without the required permit must meet the change-of-status rules, including the fees, before one is issued. Renewals are made in person at the nearest Division office with the passport and current permit, at least 30 days before expiry and before the permit runs out; the holder does not have to leave the FSM to renew.

The permit lasts for the enrolment and is renewed on proof that the student is still enrolled. Permits are generally limited to one year at a time under section 104 of the Act.

Non-citizens who live in the FSM for 90 days or more in a calendar year must register in person at the nearest Division office by 31 January each year (by 30 June for those living outside Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap and the Chuuk Lagoon islands). They must also tell the Division in writing of any change of address, because notices are sent to the last address on file. A student may only do what the permit allows; activities beyond it need a different permit and its fee.

A permit can be denied or revoked for wilfully false or misleading information, a felony or moral-turpitude conviction, a serious communicable disease and the other grounds in section 107 of the Immigration Act. Anyone aggrieved by a decision can file a notice of appeal with the local immigration office, which holds a hearing within 10 days and decides in writing within 5 days; the next step is a committee hearing in Palikir requested within 15 days, and after that judicial review. The Chief can also issue citations, for example 1,000 dollars for activities the permit does not allow and 100 dollars per day of overstay, and unlawful presence can lead to up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 dollars, or both.