Flights from Manila to Palau to FSM

clintonsears22:45 UTC01 Mar 2009

Hey Everyone!

I've been stuck at school for a long time and am excited to be taking my first trip to FSM this summer. I'm going to be working in Kosrae for two months, which I've heard great things about.

Basically, my question is about options for getting there. I'm a US citizen, so I don't have an visa problems with Guam or FSM. However, My (South Korean) friend and I want to fly into FSM, stay for two months, and then head to the US for three months. He can only stay in the US for 90 days on a tourist visa.

I've heard that if he flies through Guam, his 90 day visa will be activated and by the time we finish our project in FSM, he'll only have a month left in the US which is not what he wants. Apparently, there are no transit visas for Guam.

I've also heard there may be flights from Manila to Palau, and then from Palau to FSM (maybe to Pohnpei?). Avoiding Guam would get around the 90 day US visa limit. We hadn't really thought of stopping in Palau, but if the price is right and it's a friendly place, why not?

I've been reading and reading on the web trying to get to the bottom of this, so if anyone has flight info to share please feel free!

drgreenthumb01:07 UTC02 Mar 2009

what about a visa extension?

clintonsears01:11 UTC02 Mar 2009

On the visa waiver program website, it's clear that the US gives a 90 day visa with proof that you're leaving on/before 90 days. You can't extend it, or fly to Canada and come back. So, a visa extension for the states is probably not going to happen. Thanks, though!

silvanocat03:17 UTC02 Mar 2009

Sorry, but you won't be able to avoid Guam. Only FSM state that you can fly to from Palau without going through Guam is Yap. No flights from Yap to the other FSM states without going through Guam.

Flights from Manila to Palau to FSM Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
clintonsears22:45 UTC01 Mar 2009	Hey Everyone! I've been stuck at school for a long time and am excited to be taking my first trip to FSM this summer. I'm going to be working in Kosrae for two months, which I've heard great things about. Basically, my question is about options for getting there. I'm a US citizen, so I don't have an visa problems with Guam or FSM. However, My (South Korean) friend and I want to fly into FSM, stay for two months, and then head to the US for three months. He can only stay in the US for 90 days on a tourist visa. I've heard that if he flies through Guam, his 90 day visa will be activated and by the time we finish our project in FSM, he'll only have a month left in the US which is not what he wants. Apparently, there are no transit visas for Guam. I've also heard there may be flights from Manila to Palau, and then from Palau to FSM (maybe to Pohnpei?). Avoiding Guam would get around the 90 day US visa limit. We hadn't really thought of stopping in Palau, but if the price is right and it's a friendly place, why not? I've been reading and reading on the web trying to get to the bottom of this, so if anyone has flight info to share please feel free!
drgreenthumb01:07 UTC02 Mar 2009	what about a visa extension?	1
clintonsears01:11 UTC02 Mar 2009	On the visa waiver program website, it's clear that the US gives a 90 day visa with proof that you're leaving on/before 90 days. You can't extend it, or fly to Canada and come back. So, a visa extension for the states is probably not going to happen. Thanks, though!	2
silvanocat03:17 UTC02 Mar 2009	Sorry, but you won't be able to avoid Guam. Only FSM state that you can fly to from Palau without going through Guam is Yap. No flights from Yap to the other FSM states without going through Guam.	3