Compact of Free Association (COFA)

History

It was created in the 1970s so as to allow Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to become largely independent of the US. It came in to force gradually during the 1980s and 1990s.

The rules

The citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau can to freely travel, live, work, and study in the United States.

U.S citizens have the same rights in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

Sources

1. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/infographics/pdf/REL_PA_Getting_to_Know_Pacific_Island_Students.pdf#:~:text=The%20Compacts%20of%20Free%20Association%20%28COFA%29%20are%20international,citizens%20to%20do%20the%20same%20within%20these%20nations.