Starting October 1, 2016, Palau will be requiring a visa of all non-Palauans entering Palau. Visa fee is $50. In addition, the current Green Fee or Environmental Impact Fee will increase to $100 for any traveler 13 years and older. Both fees will take effect at the same time, according to the law.
Belau Tourism Association, citing that their members need at least six months to prepare for new changes in policy, requested update on the implementation of these fees.
According to John Tarkong, Chief of Customs under the Ministry of Finance, they have been meeting with airlines and tour agents to obtain feedback.
“The government’s current plan is to establish an online eVisa processing system to facilitate the timely processing of all visa applications. In the event more time is needed, other options may be the inclusion of the fees on the airline ticket, collection of the fees upon arrival into Palau before clearing Immigration or paying the fees upon departure. These options are currently being discussed and explored at the moment. A draft of the regulations is currently being reviewed by the Office of the AG’s,” stated Tarkong in his communication.
RPPL 9-49 the Palau National Marine Sanctuary Act, mandated a visa for all passport holders entering the Republic. The visa fee is $50 and can be used multiple times within 30 days. It can be extended two times for 30 days for each extension, and each extension costs $100. The law also increased the Green Fee or Environmental Impact fee from $50 to $100 for each traveller ages 13 years and older.
There are exemptions to the visa requirement. Citizens of United States of America, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands and airline crew, diplomats, transiting passengers and travelers with work permits are exempted.
For Environmental Impact Fee, Palauans, spouses of Palauans, persons with valid Palau work permit and transit passengers are exempted from Environmental Impact Fee or currently known as Green Fee. The Minister can add additional exemptions through regulations.
The law also created a Visitor Fee Taskforce made up of five Ministers or their representatives, including a non-voting member from House of Delegates and from the Senate.
The Taskforce is tasked to develop regulations establishing a “systematic and customer-friendly process” to handle payments and issuance of visa and payment of environmental impact fee.
The law states that if by October 1, 2016, the Taskforce has not completed the regulations for implementing the visa and environmental impact fees, these fees will be collected from customers upon arrival until such time regulations and processes are established. {/reg}