Overview:
Travelers from 12 countries will now need advance clearance or a visa before flying to Palau. Executive Order 499, effective March 30, 2026, updates the list of “Excluded Countries” and ends visa-on-arrival privileges for nationals of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sri Lanka, and Vanuatu. Learn what this means for travelers and airlines.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (Feb. 12, 2026) — Travelers from 12 countries will be required to obtain advance clearance or a visa before boarding flights to Palau under a new executive order strengthening border controls.
Executive Order No. 499, which takes effect March 30, 2026, eliminates visa-on-arrival privileges for nationals of designated “Excluded Countries.” Those affected are Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu.
Under the order, travelers from these countries must secure either a visa issued prior to travel or written pre-clearance from the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP). Airlines are prohibited from boarding passengers without official authorization.
Applicants must submit required documents — including a passport copy, confirmed return ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds — at least five days before travel. BCBP will acknowledge applications within 24 hours and issue a decision within three to five business days.
Approved visitors may stay up to 30 days unless a separate visa or permit is obtained. Emergency and official travel may be considered under expedited review.
The order replaces several previous directives and establishes a unified system aimed at addressing overstays, document fraud and irregular entry, while providing clearer requirements for travelers and carriers.
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