Promote:
Invest in the Marshall Islands
A short guide for companies expanding into the Marshall Islands: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Marshall Islands at a glance
PopulationEstimate
36,282
The World Bank reports a population of 36,282 in 2025.
Source: World Bank, population of Marshall Islands, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDPEstimate
US$308 million
The World Bank reports GDP of US$308,000,000 in current dollars for fiscal 2025, which ended September 30, 2025.
Source: World Bank, GDP of Marshall Islands, fiscal 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2025 (October 2024 to September 2025)
GDP per personEstimate
US$8,489
The World Bank reports GDP per person of US$8,489.06 in current dollars for fiscal 2025.
Source: World Bank, GDP per person of Marshall Islands, fiscal 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2025 (October 2024 to September 2025)
Real GDP growthEstimate
2.3%
The World Bank reports real GDP growth of 2.3 percent for fiscal 2025, which ended September 30, 2025.
Source: World Bank, real GDP growth of Marshall Islands, fiscal 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of FY2025 (October 2024 to September 2025)
Inflation
2.0%
Consumer prices rose 1.95 percent in the year to the fourth quarter of 2025, the Statistics Office reports for its national index.
Source: EPPSO, consumer price index report, fourth quarter 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of Q4 2025
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$3.21 million
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$3.212 million in 2025, UNCTAD reports; the World Bank balance-of-payments series gives US$3,211,831.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment inflows to Marshall Islands, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the United States dollar.
Source: Nitijela, Monetary Authority Act 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 23, 2025
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The Office of Commerce, Investment and Tourism is the first point of contact for investment facilitation and registration for any non-citizen.
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
The Office of Commerce, Investment and Tourism is the first contact, but the license runs through the Ministry of Finance with clearances from several offices.
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
The Foreign Investment Business License Regulations 2000, Amended, in effect December 19, 2019, reserve 12 activities for citizens, including small farming, bakeries, taxis, hair salons and aquaculture.
Source: Foreign Investment Business License Regulations, amended December 2019 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 14, 2020
No zone operates: the May 2025 RMI Economic Review calls the Digital Economic Zone Rongelap Atoll (DEZRA) "now defunct", and the Nitijela's current laws list no zone act.
Source: RMI Economic Review 2024, May 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in the Marshall Islands
- Apply for a Foreign Investment Business License with a copy of each passport and the fee.Ministry of Finance, Banking & Postal Services (Registrar of Foreign Investment)US$250 fee; normally 5 to 15 working daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- After the license, incorporate or register the company with the Registrar of Corporations.Office of the Attorney General (Registrar of Resident Domestic and Authorized Foreign Corporations)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Get an Employer Identification Number, which is needed before the license is released.Marshall Islands Social Security AdministrationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Apply for a work permit for each non-resident worker after advertising the job locally.Labor DivisionDecision normally within 21 days of submissionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Show 4 more set-up steps
- Get a business visa and alien registration card for non-citizen investors and workers.Division of ImmigrationDecision within 21 working daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Get a business license from the local government where you operate, such as Majuro Atoll Local Government.Majuro Atoll Local GovernmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
- Apply for a Taxpayer Identification Number, and register for consumption tax if your supplies reach the threshold.Division of Customs, Treasury, Revenue and TaxationTIN within 15 days; threshold US$300,000 a yearOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Nitijela, Tax Administration Act 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 7, 2025
- Negotiate a land lease directly with the customary landowners.Land Registration AuthorityMost government leases run up to 25 yearsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with OCIT and MoFBPS. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every national body found with evidence dated 2025 or later; fewer than twelve qualify, and each of the five needs has one. Source (opens in a new tab)
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment promotion agency
OCIT
Office of Commerce, Investment and Tourism
Serves as the first contact for non-citizen investors and publishes the investment policy statement and application form.
Visit OCIT (opens in a new tab)Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Finance ministry, customs and tax
MoFBPS
Ministry of Finance, Banking & Postal Services
Runs customs, treasury, revenue and taxation through its Division of Customs, Treasury, Revenue and Taxation.
Visit MoFBPS (opens in a new tab)Source: Ministry of Finance, customs and revenue division, read November 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
RMI Chamber
Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce
Offers membership in the national business network and runs projects such as business soft-skills training and an outer-island planning grant.
Visit RMI Chamber (opens in a new tab)Source: Marshall Islands Chamber of Commerce, projects page, read November 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Consumption tax start
The Consumption Tax Act 2025 applies a 12 percent tax to supplies and imports from October 1, 2026, and zero-rates exports of goods for registered persons.
What to do: Confirm your registration duty and export documents with the Division of Customs, Treasury, Revenue and Taxation before you invoice.
Sources: Nitijela, Consumption Tax Act 2025 (opens in a new tab); Ministry of Finance, customs and revenue division, read November 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Currency and settlement
The RMI Economic Review says two of the three commercial banks lack secure correspondent banking relationships, which threatens the banking sector and slows remittances.
What to do: Ask your bank how it settles international payments before you sign a sales contract.
Source: RMI Economic Review 2024, May 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Reserved sectors
Schedule 2 of the 2019 regulations keeps 12 activities for citizens, including small-scale farming and mariculture, bakeries, taxis, vehicle rental, hair salons and aquaculture.
What to do: Check the current Reserved List with the Registrar before you start a retail, farming or aquaculture project.
Sources: Foreign Investment Business License Regulations, amended December 2019 (opens in a new tab); OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
Customary land
Land is almost entirely customarily owned, and non-citizen investors negotiate leases with the landowners; most government land leases run up to twenty-five years.
What to do: Confirm the landowner and the lease term before you commit capital.
Source: OCIT, National Investment Policy Statement, July 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 1, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare the Marshall Islands with other countriesSet the Marshall Islands beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Marshall Islands is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 1, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.