Moving to Palau from United States

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from United States to Palau — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from United States to Palau.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from United States to Palau, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
333 ↑ 3% vs 2015

people born in United States live in Palau · UN DESA

Who's moving to Palau?

Top countries of origin for Palau's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from United States to Palau.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

US
6.4
PW
11.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

US
14.2
PW
22.2

United States performs better than Palau across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

US
$13,473
PW
$1,857
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

US
36.1
PW
17.8

United States generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Palau leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

US
13.6t
PW
82.8t

United States performs better than Palau across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

US
37.8
PW
6.9
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

US
92.0%
PW
37.2%

United States performs better than Palau across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

US
3.6%
PW
1.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

US
$73,600
PW
$15,800

United States generally does better on employment & economy, though Palau leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

US
80.6 yrs
PW
74.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

US
5.2
PW
11.3

United States generally does better on family life, though Palau leads in education spending.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United States and Palau. To live, work, or study long-term in Palau, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Palau's immigration authority.

United States passport

United States passport holder visiting Palau

Visa Free
United States passport holders can enter Palau without a visa.
Palau passport

Palau passport holder visiting United States

Visa Free
Palau passport holders can enter United States without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Palau?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Palau has 6.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Palau safe for expats?

United States performs better than Palau across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Palau is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.4 in United States.

How is healthcare in Palau compared to United States?

United States generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Palau leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 17.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Palau, compared to 36.1 in United States. Palau scores 65 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United States: 86).

What language do they speak in Palau?

The official languages in Palau are English and Palauan. In United States, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

US PW
Population 337,341,954 21,695
Currency United States Dollar ($) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English English, Palauan
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +1 +680
Time zones 11 1
Emergency number 911