Travel Program for Chinese Visitors to CNMI Suspended
A special way for people from China to visit the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa is being stopped.
Affects: Chinese nationals, CNMI visitors ยท Source: Federal Register
What happened
The US government is stopping a special travel program. This program is called the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP). It allowed people from China to visit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) without a visa.
The Secretary of Homeland Security made this decision. They can stop such programs for important reasons. These reasons include national security or law enforcement concerns. The Secretary believes there is a good reason to pause EVS-TAP.
The government will now look closely at the program. This suspension starts on October 30, 2026.
The bigger picture
Usually, people from other countries need a special visa to visit the United States. But in 2008, a law allowed a special program for Guam and the CNMI. This program let people from certain countries visit these islands without a visa for short trips.
In 2009, people from China could not use this main visa waiver program. However, because many Chinese visitors helped the CNMI's economy, a special way was created for them. They could get permission to enter CNMI on a case-by-case basis.
In 2024, a new program called EVS-TAP was set up. This program specifically allowed Chinese visitors to travel to the CNMI without a visa. The government says it is stopping EVS-TAP to check if it is still safe and working well. They want to make sure it does not pose risks to national security or law enforcement.
What this means for you
Chinese nationals
If you are a Chinese national who used EVS-TAP to visit CNMI, you can no longer use this program. You will likely need to get a regular US visa to visit the CNMI after October 30, 2026. This change affects how you plan your travel.
CNMI visitors
This change does not affect visitors from other countries who use the main Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. You can still visit the CNMI under those rules. This suspension is only for the special EVS-TAP for Chinese nationals.
Employers
Businesses in the CNMI that rely on visitors from China might see fewer tourists. This could affect their income. The EVS-TAP was created to help the CNMI's economy by allowing more Chinese visitors.
All immigrants
This specific change does not directly affect most other immigration processes. It is about a special travel program for short visits to a specific US territory.
What you should do
- If you are a Chinese national planning to visit the CNMI after October 30, 2026, you should look into getting a regular US visa. Otherwise, it's just good to know about this change.
Key dates
- 2026-10-30: EVS-TAP program officially suspended
Words explained
- CNMI
- CNMI stands for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which are islands in the Pacific Ocean that are part of the United States.
- EVS-TAP
- EVS-TAP was a special program that let people from China visit the CNMI for short trips without needing a visa.
- Visa
- A visa is an official stamp or document in your passport that lets you enter a foreign country for a specific reason, like tourism or work.
- Suspend
- To suspend something means to temporarily stop it from happening or working.
- National Security
- National security means keeping a country safe from dangers and threats, both from inside and outside.
Common questions
Can I still visit the CNMI if I am from China?
After October 30, 2026, you will likely need a regular US visa to visit the CNMI. The EVS-TAP program, which allowed visa-free travel for Chinese nationals, will be stopped. You should check with a US embassy or consulate for the latest visa requirements.
Why is the EVS-TAP program being stopped?
The US government says it is stopping the program for 'good cause.' This includes concerns about national security, law enforcement, and immigration rules. They want to evaluate the program more closely.
Does this affect travel to other parts of the United States?
No, this change only affects the special EVS-TAP program for travel to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. It does not directly change rules for visiting other parts of the United States.
When does this change happen?
The suspension of the EVS-TAP program will start on October 30, 2026, at 2 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
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This is a plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration attorney.