Compact of Free Association Law and Legal Definition
The Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau have signed a Compact of Free Association (CFA) with the United States. Under the terms of each CFA, the United States undertakes the responsibility for the external defense of each republic, and undertakes certain responsibilities involving financial aid and support for each republic. According to the stipulations of each CFA, citizens of the above-named republics may freely enter the United States without a visa. They shall remain in the United States for an indefinite period of time, and shall also be employed in the United States without restriction. A citizen of any one of the above-mentioned republics who enters the United States should be issued a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record bearing a stamp. The stamp can be either CFA/FSM for the Federated States of Micronesia or CFA/MIS for the Republic of Marshall Islands or CFA/PAL for the Republic of Palau. Even without an I-94, a citizen of one of the above-mentioned republics shall reside, travel, and work in the United States without restriction.
