Palau Digital Residency Application: Complete 10-Minute Guide

Required Documents & Prep Checklist

• ✔️ Valid passport (photo page, unreadable glare‑free scan)
• ✔️ Square photo 600×600 px or larger (JPG/PNG)
• ✔️ Smartphone or laptop with front camera for liveness selfie
• ✔️ Credit/debit card or crypto wallet (USDT, USDC, BTC, ETH)
• ✔️ Clean criminal record (self‑declared; serious offenses trigger manual review)

The 10‑Minute Application Flow

1. 1. Create account · 1 min

   Go to rns.id, click “Apply for Palau ID”, and register with email + password. Confirm via the one‑time code sent to your inbox.

2. 2. Choose validity · 30 sec

   Select 1 yr (US$248), 5 yrs (US$1,039), or 10 yrs (US$2,039). The fee covers printing + global DHL shipping.

3. 3. Upload passport scan · 1 min

   Drag‑and‑drop the photo page. The system auto‑detects MRZ lines; re‑crop if needed.

4. 4. Selfie & liveness check · 2 min

   Follow the on‑screen circle to turn your head. Avoid hats, glasses, or harsh back‑lighting. Blink naturally to pass the anti‑spoof AI.

   Pro tip: Hold phone at eye‑level, arm’s length. A low angle often fails the “nose occlusion” filter.

5. 5. Record the KYC prompt · 2 min

   Repeat the on‑screen numbers — e.g., “Five Six Two” — to prove liveness & consent. If the recording freezes, reload; the partial upload is saved.

6. 6. Pay & submit · 1 min

   Pay with Visa/Mastercard (processed by Stripe) or send crypto to the one‑time address displayed. Crypto confirmations auto‑link within minutes.

7. 7. Sit back — review & shipping

   Automated checks run 15–20 min. Human review: 24–72 h. Once approved, your card prints in 7–14 business days and ships DHL express. You’ll get a tracking link via email.

Payment Options at a Glance

Method	Accepted Currencies	Speed	Tip
Credit/Debit Card	USD, EUR, many others	Instant	Use 3‑D Secure‑enabled cards to avoid declines
Stablecoins	USDT, USDC (ERC‑20 & TRC‑20)	≤ 5 min	Send exact amount incl. gas; overpay = refund delay
Major Crypto	BTC, ETH	10‑60 min (network)	Higher network fees; double‑check memo fields
Bank Wire	USD	1–3 days	Request invoice from support; include reference code

KYC Tips for a One‑Shot Pass

• Speak slowly and clearly; mumbling triggers a redo.
• Use neutral lighting (facing a window). Back‑lighting = silhouette fail.
• Hold phone steady; shaky cams blur facial points.
• If in a noisy café, plug in earbuds — microphone matters.
• Dress casual‑neutral; brand logos sometimes confuse OCR.

Next Steps

Bookmark your RNS dashboard to watch the status change from “Verification in progress” → “Government Review” → “Approved”. Once DHL tracking arrives, set shipping alerts so the driver doesn’t miss you.

Need extra help? Join the RNS Discord or email [email protected] — live agents respond within 24 hours.