Work permit (Labor Division) and E-1 employment visa
Division of Immigration
The Marshall Islands uses a two-track system: a work permit from the Labor Division under the Labor (Non-Resident Workers) Act 2006, then an E-1 employment visa from the Division of Immigration. For general work permits the employer must notify the Chief of Labor, advertise locally and show no qualified Marshallese citizen was found. The E-1 visa lasts up to 2 years, allows multiple entries and is tied to the named employer. US, FSM and Palau nationals are excluded from the work permit requirement under the Compact of Free Association.
Life in Marshall Islands
Money
2
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Tax
8–12%
Income tax (national)
Wages and salaries tax: 8% on the first US$10,400 a year (prorated at US$200 a week) and 12% on the excess, from 1 October 2025.
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign workers hired by employers in the Marshall Islands, including professionals on the Occupational Shortages List, foreign investors, short-term specialists and spouses of Marshallese citizens.
Eligibility
Work permit types
Choose from four work permit types, each with its own condition.
Permit conditions
- Temporary Work Permitper calendar year
- Up to 6 months
- Temporary permit renewal
- One 6-month renewal
- Spouse of Marshallese Citizen
- Married at least 1 year
- OSL Professional Permit covers occupations on the Occupational Shortages List
- Foreign Investor Permit needs a valid Foreign Investment Business License
Official wording
OSL Professional Permit (occupations on the Occupational Shortages List), Foreign Investor Permit (needs a valid Foreign Investment Business License), Temporary Work Permit (up to 6 months per calendar year, one 6-month renewal), Spouse of Marshallese Citizen Permit (married at least 1 year).
Local-first hiring (general permits)
For general permits, notify the Chief of Labor, advertise locally and show no suitable Marshallese candidate.
Local advertising period
- Advertisingminimum
- At least 30 days
- Also stated on the pageminimum
- 3 weeks
- OSL and temporary permits are exempt from this step
- The page gives two different minimum advertising periods
Official wording
Notify the Chief of Labor, advertise locally for at least 30 days (the page also says a minimum of 3 weeks), and show no suitable Marshallese candidate. OSL and temporary permits are exempt from this step.
Apply from outside
Submit your first-time application while you are outside the RMI.
Official wording
First-time applications must be submitted while the applicant is outside the RMI.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementCompact nationals
- Document checklistWork permit application with employer and employee statutory declarations, advertising evidence, qualifications, police and medical clearances
- FeesWork permit and E-1 visa fees
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 1 more requirement
- 7 documents
- 2 fees
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Marshall Islands
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Marshall Islands
All routes to Marshall Islands →Work permits in other countries
- North MacedoniaTemporary residence for work
- MaliSalaried employment: work contract approved by the Direction nationale du travail, with a residence visa or resident card
- MongoliaEmployment residence permit (C category) and investor/executive permit
- Macao SAR ChinaMacao non-resident worker
- MaltaSingle Permit (combined work and residence permit) – Identità Expatriates Unit
- MauritiusOccupation Permit - Professional
