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United States Suspends Visa-Free Travel for PRC Nationals to Northern Mariana Islands Under EVS-TAP

🇺🇸 United StatesVisa-Free Travel1 recorded versionLast change 27 Oct 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

From 30 October 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, EVS-TAP will no longer be available for new applicants or existing authorisation holders. Existing authorisations will be cancelled, even if they would otherwise have remained valid for part of their original one-year period. Chinese nationals who are already legally in the Northern Mariana Islands under EVS-TAP when the suspension takes effect may complete their current authorised stay. They will need a visa for a future visit unless another lawful exception applies. People who are outside the Northern Mariana Islands when the suspension takes effect cannot rely on an existing EVS-TAP authorisation for a new trip. They must obtain the appropriate visa before travelling, unless they qualify under another lawful route. The suspension does not restore the earlier parole policy that ended in February 2025. In other words, Chinese nationals cannot simply return to that previous arrangement as an alternative to getting a visa. The decision does not set an end date for the suspension. DHS says it will evaluate the programme while consulting the Departments of State and the Interior. The notice does not promise that EVS-TAP will return, nor does it explain exactly what changes would be needed for the programme to reopen.

Overview

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has formally suspended the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), effective at 14:00 EDT on 30 October 2026. The administrative action immediately halts visa-exempt entry into the CNMI for prescreened nationals of the People's Republic of China (PRC), revoking existing travel authorisations and closing the electronic system to prospective applicants. This suspension applies across the board to all PRC passport holders seeking travel to the CNMI without a consular visa, while protecting those who have already lawfully entered the territory prior to the cut-off time. Moving forward, Chinese nationals planning temporary visits for tourism or business must secure standard United States nonimmigrant visas through a United States Embassy or Consulate before departure.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Chinese nationals who planned to visit the Northern Mariana Islands using EVS-TAP for temporary business or tourism
  • People with existing EVS-TAP travel authorisations who have not entered the Northern Mariana Islands before the suspension takes effect
  • People who intended to apply for a new EVS-TAP authorisation after the suspension begins
  • Airlines, travel agencies, hotels, tour operators and other businesses that rely on visitors who previously used the programme
  • Residents and local businesses that may experience changes in visitor numbers and tourism spending
  • US border and immigration authorities responsible for checking travel documents and enforcing entry restrictions

What changed in the latest version

Before

Under standard US immigration rules, foreign nationals generally need the relevant visa before travelling to the United States for a temporary visit, unless they qualify for an exemption. The Northern Mariana Islands and Guam operate under a special travel scheme called the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Visa Waiver Program. This is separate from the main US Visa Waiver Program used by eligible travellers to visit the wider United States. Chinese nationals were not included in the general Guam-Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver scheme because of earlier political and security concerns. However, the US government recognised the economic value of Chinese visitors to the Northern Mariana Islands and previously considered certain Chinese nationals for entry through a separate discretionary process known as parole, which was assessed on a case-by-case basis. In 2024, DHS established EVS-TAP as a restricted programme for eligible Chinese nationals who wanted to visit the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa. It introduced an electronic travel authorisation process alongside additional restrictions. The programme began operating on 20 February 2025, and the earlier parole policy for Chinese nationals seeking entry to the Northern Mariana Islands ended at the same time. Under EVS-TAP, eligible travellers could receive an authorisation valid for one year. Their visits were generally limited to 14 days each, and their travel was restricted strictly to the Northern Mariana Islands. They could not use the programme to travel onward to Guam, the US mainland, or any other US locations.

After

From 30 October 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, EVS-TAP will no longer be available for new applicants or existing authorisation holders. Existing authorisations will be cancelled, even if they would otherwise have remained valid for part of their original one-year period. Chinese nationals who are already legally in the Northern Mariana Islands under EVS-TAP when the suspension takes effect may complete their current authorised stay. They will need a visa for a future visit unless another lawful exception applies. People who are outside the Northern Mariana Islands when the suspension takes effect cannot rely on an existing EVS-TAP authorisation for a new trip. They must obtain the appropriate visa before travelling, unless they qualify under another lawful route. The suspension does not restore the earlier parole policy that ended in February 2025. In other words, Chinese nationals cannot simply return to that previous arrangement as an alternative to getting a visa. The decision does not set an end date for the suspension. DHS says it will evaluate the programme while consulting the Departments of State and the Interior. The notice does not promise that EVS-TAP will return, nor does it explain exactly what changes would be needed for the programme to reopen.

This suspension removes the streamlined electronic travel authorisation route for Chinese travellers, requiring them to undertake the full consular nonimmigrant visa application process. Applicants must now schedule appointments, attend in-person interviews, and submit biometrics at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which introduces significant lead times and administrative requirements. For travellers holding unexpired EVS-TAP authorisations, their clearances are revoked effective 14:00 EDT on 30 October 2026, meaning they can no longer use them to board transport or enter the CNMI. Anyone attempting to travel using an existing EVS-TAP authorisation after the cut-off will be subject to boarding denials or refused entry. PRC nationals already lawfully present in the CNMI prior to the cut-off are safeguarded for their remaining authorised period of stay, but they must secure a standard visa prior to any future return. Airlines and transport carriers must immediately update boarding verification procedures to ensure that PRC nationals presenting EVS-TAP authorisations are not boarded without a valid nonimmigrant visa.

Explained simply

Think of EVS-TAP like an online fast pass that let Chinese tourists visit the Northern Mariana Islands for two weeks without visiting an embassy for a full visa. The United States Government has now switched that fast pass machine off because of national security and border reviews. If you already had an unused pass, you can no longer use it to fly. If you are already on holiday there, you can finish your trip, but anyone else wanting to visit must now book an embassy interview and get a real visa.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Effective 30 Oct 2026EffectiveHigh impact
    United States Suspends Visa-Free Travel for Chinese Nationals to the Northern Mariana Islands

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a general notice suspending the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), effective at 1400 EDT on 30 October 2026. Previously, under 8 CFR 212.1(r), prescreened nationals of the People's Republic of China (PRC) could travel to the CNMI without a nonimmigrant visa for temporary visits of up to 14 days, holding travel authorisations valid for one year. Under the new notice, the programme is suspended for all prospective applicants, and existing approved travel authorisations are revoked. As a result, PRC nationals seeking entry to the CNMI must now obtain a standard U.S. nonimmigrant visa, which requires completing consular applications, submitting biometrics, and attending an interview. PRC nationals who were already admitted under EVS-TAP and remain legally present in the CNMI before the effective deadline are allowed to complete their authorised period of stay.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    30 Oct 2026

    The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has formally suspended the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), effective at 14:00 EDT on 30 October 2026. The administrative action immediately halts visa-exempt entry into the CNMI for prescreened nationals

  2. Takes effect

    30 Oct 2026

    The Secretary of Homeland Security has suspended the CNMI EVS-TAP effective at 1400 EDT on 30 October 2026. Applications from potential new applicants are halted, previously approved travel authorisations are revoked, and PRC nationals must obtain a standard U.S. nonimmigrant visa before travelling to the CNMI. PRC nationals already admitted under EVS-TAP and legally present on the effective date

  3. Action deadline

    30 Oct 2026

    Verify departure status immediately if holding an existing EVS-TAP authorisation, recognising that travel authorisation is cancelled for embarkation after 14:00 EDT on 30 October 2026.

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