The US suspends visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to the Northern Mariana Islands from 30 October.
The US Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register notice on 27 October suspending the Northern Mariana Islands' Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), effective 14:00 EDT on 30 October (04:00 on 31 October local time). In place since February 2025, the programme let pre-screened Chinese nationals visit the Northern Marianas for up to 14 days without a US visa, with no onward travel to Guam or elsewhere in the US. The suspension covers new applicants and existing authorisations; those already lawfully admitted may stay until their authorised period ends, after which a US visa will be required for tourism or business visits. DHS said more than 3,000 Chinese nationals used the programme in fiscal 2025 and cited security and law-enforcement risks, possible espionage targeting military sites in the region, past cases of smuggling from Saipan to Guam and birth tourism; it said it would review the programme with the State and Interior departments and gave no timetable for reinstatement. The territory's congressional delegate, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, said the programme was "suspended, not terminated" and that she had spoken with the White House and DHS.
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