Travelling on a Palau Islands passport
Travelling on a Palau Islands passport puts you somewhere in the comfortable middle of global mobility. You're not breezing through every border, but you're not fighting for appointments at consulates every time you want to leave the region either. Ranked 41st out of roughly 199 passports on the Henley Index, holders can reach 111 destinations without arranging a visa before they fly — that covers everything from straightforward stamps on arrival to eTAs you sort from your phone the night before. Around 61 countries still want a full visa application. That's the honest picture.
What this passport unlocks
The 82 visa-free countries are where this passport really earns its keep. Western Europe opens up well — Austria, Belgium, and Andorra among them — which means a decent chunk of the Schengen area is accessible without a folder of supporting documents. Caribbean access is solid too, with Anguilla, Belize, and Bermuda all in the clear. Add 29 visa-on-arrival options and 9 eTAs, and spontaneous travel becomes genuinely possible across a wide spread of regions. That said, the gaps are real. Argentina requires a visa despite being a major backpacker destination, and Belarus, Algeria, and Aruba all sit in the pre-application pile too. South America and North Africa take more planning than some travellers expect.
Visa categories at a glance
Visa-free entry (82)
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Austria
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- ...and 70 more
Visa on arrival (29)
- Bangladesh
- Madagascar
- Papua New Guinea
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde Islands
- Comoro Islands
- Egypt
- Guinea-Bissau
- Iran
- Jordan
- Laos
- ...and 17 more
eTA / online authorisation (9)
- American Samoa
- Sri Lanka
- South Korea
- Kenya
- United Kingdom
- Seychelles
- Israel
- Russian Federation
- Palestinian Territory
e-Visa available (46)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Azerbaijan
- Benin
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Georgia
- India
- Kyrgyzstan
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- ...and 34 more
Practical travel tips for Palau Islands passport holders
The eTA and e-Visa distinction matters more than people realise. An eTA is typically faster, cheaper, and linked electronically to your passport — airlines can verify it before you board. An e-Visa still requires approval and sometimes supporting documents, just submitted online rather than in person. For visa-on-arrival countries, carry passport photos and enough local or USD cash to cover fees, since cards aren't always accepted at immigration counters. Always check your passport has at least six months validity before any trip — some airlines won't board you otherwise, regardless of what the destination country technically requires. Transit rules can also differ from entry rules, so look those up separately.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries can I travel to with my Palau passport without arranging a visa in advance?
As a Palau passport holder, you can travel to 111 countries and territories without pre-arranging a visa, including 82 visa-free destinations, 29 visa-on-arrival countries, 9 eTA countries, and 46 e-visa countries. This places your passport at rank #41 globally in terms of travel freedom.
What's the difference between visa-free, visa-on-arrival, eTA, and e-visa?
Visa-free means you can enter without any visa document; visa-on-arrival (VOA) means you obtain your visa upon arrival at the border; eTA (electronic travel authorization) requires online pre-approval before travel but is faster than traditional visas; and e-visa is a digital visa obtained online before arrival. All four options allow travel without visiting an embassy in person.
What should I do if I'm denied entry or boarding with my Palau passport?
Request a detailed written explanation from the immigration or airline official for the denial, as it may be due to document issues, security concerns, or misunderstandings rather than your passport itself. Contact your nearest Palauan embassy or consulate immediately for assistance and guidance on how to resolve the issue or appeal the decision.
How long must my Palau passport be valid for international travel?
Most countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of departure, though some may require validity for the entire duration of your stay. Always check specific entry requirements for your destination country before traveling, as validity rules vary.
How might Palau's visa policies change in the future?
Visa policies can shift based on factors like political stability, diplomatic relations, and reciprocity agreements between nations, so it's important to monitor travel advisories and your government's announcements regularly. Strengthening international relationships and economic partnerships could potentially improve access, while security or political changes could affect visa requirements.