Palau

Palau has no digital nomad visa. Its Digital Residency Program is sometimes presented as one, but it issues an identity card, not permission to stay.

The Digital Residency ID

• What it is: A digital and physical ID card issued by the Palau government, used to prove identity. It is not a visa or residence permit and gives no right to live, work, enter or stay in Palau.
• Validity: 1, 5 or 10 years, depending on package. That's how long the card lasts, not a permitted stay.
• Path to residence: None. No route to residence, citizenship or a Palau passport.
• Work in Palau: No. ID holders visit as tourists; a job in Palau needs a labor permit from the Bureau of Labor and Human Resources.
• Tourist-visa extensions: Up to two consecutive 90-day extensions per calendar year after the initial tourist visa expires. A 2023 immigration regulation grants these to ID holders visiting as tourists. In November 2025, Senate Floor Leader Kerai Mariur asked the president to correct it, saying it conflicts with the Digital Residency Act; immigration still listed the benefit on Sept. 23, 2026.

The Palau ID page covers prices, how to apply through the authorized provider and what the card can be used for.

Visiting as a tourist

• Most nationalities: 30-day tourist or business visa issued on arrival; no issuance fee stated.
• Extensions: Two extensions are possible at $50 each, for a maximum stay of 90 days. Apply at least seven days before the visa expires.
• No visa needed: Citizens of the United States, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands; they must still complete the QR-code arrival form.
• Visa before travel: Nationals of Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• Environmental fee: $100, included in the price of international air tickets.

The tourist visa bars commercial, employment and business activities in Palau, according to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. Remote workers planning a long stay should read that rule closely.

Longer stays

The bureau also lists an Elite Resident Visa, a 10-year multiple-entry visa for wealthy foreigners, but says the finance minister is still preparing its regulations. A job with a Palauan employer requires a labor permit.

Palau uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency. Reliable budget figures are scarce: Numbeo's Palau page rests on six entries from three contributors, last updated March 25, 2025, too few to plan on.

Expect island prices for imported groceries and goods. Rent in Koror is the biggest variable, so get quotes from landlords and long-stay hosts before committing.

Fixed costs to plan for include the $100 environmental fee built into air tickets, $50 for each visa extension and travel health insurance with medical evacuation cover.

Koror

Koror is Palau's metropolitan hub and the practical base for a first stay. The country's only national hospital is here, along with four private clinics, PNCC's prepaid SIM outlets and widely available Wi-Fi hotspots. The Koror city guide goes deeper.

Airai

On the southern tip of Babeldaob, Airai is home to Palau International Airport and sits about 15 minutes' drive from Koror across a bridge. It suits nomads who want a quieter base near the airport; expect to drive for most errands.

PNCC, Palau's national telecom company, advertises nationwide 4G coverage, fiber-optic home broadband and a visitor eSIM sold online. Wi-Fi hotspots are widely available in Koror, according to the Palau Visitors Authority.

Palau doesn't appear in the Speedtest Global Index, so there's no recent independent median speed to cite. Before booking a long stay, test the rental's connection or ask the host for a speed test. Keep mobile data as a backup.

Coworking

Don't count on dedicated coworking space. Expect to work from a rental, a hotel or a cafe in Koror.

• The "0% tax" claim: RNS.ID, the government's authorized ID provider, says in its FAQ that "there is a 0% tax from Palau on non-Palauan income." That's the provider's statement; no government tax ruling for ID holders could be confirmed.
• Residence: The ID isn't a residence permit, so holding one doesn't make anyone resident in Palau.
• Local income: Earning money from work in Palau requires a labor permit, which tourist visas don't include.

What to check

Nomads should check whether their home country still treats them as tax resident while they travel; a foreign ID card doesn't change that on its own. Anyone planning to earn income in Palau itself should get the rules from Palau's Ministry of Finance first.

• Arrival: Bring a passport valid for at least six months, a return ticket and proof of funds. Complete the QR-code arrival form, which the Palau Visitors Authority says is available at palautravel.pw. Visitors also sign the Palau Pledge to protect the environment.
• Health care: Belau National Hospital in Koror is the only national hospital. It handles routine care and has a hyperbaric chamber for diving accidents, but serious conditions may need medical evacuation, so buy insurance that covers it.
• Mosquitoes: Dengue and Zika are health risks, per UK government travel advice. Pack repellent.
• Safety: Crime is low; theft of unattended items is the main risk. Card skimming has increased, so check statements. Unexploded World War II bombs remain, especially on Peleliu and Angaur, so don't touch metal objects.
• Weather: Palau is exposed to tropical cyclones and floods. Rain is heavier from April to November, peaking in July and August.
• Alcohol: The legal drinking age is 21. Drinking in public is illegal except on licensed premises.
• SIM: PNCC sells a visitor eSIM online and prepaid SIMs in downtown Koror.
• Emergencies: Call 911 for an ambulance.