Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Passport Processing Decentralization Sought by President Mori

Palikir, POHNPEI (FSM Information Service/FSMDOJ): July 7, 2008 – President Manny Mori will seek Congress’s assistance and support to his idea of “Decentralization of Passport Processing” in the upcoming Congressional session to allow the Division of Immigration and Labor access to the passport and entry permit revolving funds to help with the funding of passport decentralization.

The President would like to start the decentralization of passport processing in the State of Chuuk, Guam and Hawaii as the first phase as soon as possible and no later than this year. Yap, Kosrae and other FSM overseas missions will follow as part of the 2nd phase.

It is the hope of the President that when the passport decentralization is completed in the three locations mentioned above. FSM citizens could simply go to the Immigration field offices in Chuuk and the Consulate Offices in Guam and Hawaii and drop off their passport applications then come back later to the same offices and pick up their new passports.

The goal here is to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability as well as improve services to FSM citizens.