Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

can a US citizen work in Guam?

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Guam

Does anyone know what the work and living restrictions are for US citizens going to Guam?

what about other US territories? I work online and was just curious about my options.
Thanks.

I think I should know this, but am not certain. I think it is open. But since you work online, you might want to check it out on line. Would hate to give you the wrong info, thus limiting or opening up your potential options, and perhaps changing the direction of your life, all with the wrong info.

1

No restrictions for Guam or American Samoa.

2

US citizens can legally work anywhere in the US and any of its territories and posessions. That's not just a legal right, it's a constitutional right, so nothing to worry about. This includes Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, etc.

3

No residency restrictions either, that's also a guaranteed privelege of US citizenship.

4

#4--You're probably right, but I see nothing in the US Constitution that give US citizens the right to work in US territories. Is there some law on this I am missing? I thought it was up to the territorial jusrisdiction to decide these things.

5

I'm not sure about American Samoa. I recall reading somewhere that they are free to move to and live and work in the U.S. but that we can't do the same there (though I'm sure some Americans do go there and find work and make homes).

Americans can live and work in Guam and the Northern Marianas.

6

And they can say Made in the USA on products. Often made by Chinese or Filipino almost slaves there. Tit for tat I guess.

7