Ngchesar Hamlet

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in Palau and at least 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Palau for up to 30 days without a pre-arranged visa.

Border officials will issue a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. You may need to show proof of onward or return travel.

Contact the Bureau of Immigration before you travel if you’re likely to seek an extension of your stay.

Telephone: (+680) 488 2498 or 2678 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)

Email: imm@palaunet.com

Border control

You must sign the Palau Pledge which is stamped in your passport on arrival.

You must also complete the Palau entry form within 72 hours of your arrival.

Entry by sea

If you arrive by sea, you must give at least 48 hours’ notice of your arrival so that immigration formalities can be arranged.

You must complete the Palau entry form within 72 hours of your arrival.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Palau guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Palau. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty on the Palau entry form.

Declare personal items worth more than 400 US dollars and cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more.

It’s illegal to bring reef-toxic sunscreen into Palau. You’ll see disposal bins for banned sunscreens. If customs officials find reef-toxic sunscreen in your baggage, they will confiscate it. Permitted sunscreens generally have an active ingredient of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Palau. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty on the Palau entry form.

Declare personal items worth more than 400 US dollars and cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 US dollars or more.

It’s illegal to bring reef-toxic sunscreen into Palau. You’ll see disposal bins for banned sunscreens. If customs officials find reef-toxic sunscreen in your baggage, they will confiscate it. Permitted sunscreens generally have an active ingredient of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Emergency services in Palau

Telephone: 911   (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are heavy penalties for all drug offences. If you’re convicted of possessing even a small amount of an illegal drug, you could get a fine or a prison sentence.

Alcohol laws

The legal drinking age in Palau is 21 years. It is illegal to drink alcohol in public, except on licensed premises.