Arnold I. Palacios
(Office of the Governor) — Gov. Arnold Palacios has reaffirmed his administration’s full support for the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program and emphasized its significance in the Commonwealth’s tourism recovery strategy.
As part of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, EVS-TAP allows prescreened nationals from the People’s Republic of China to enter the CNMI visa-free for up to 14 days, provided they secure electronic travel authorization through U.S. Customs and Border Protection prior to travel.
The program was fully launched on February 20, 2024, following a rigorous transition period that included system integration and compliance measures designed to meet Department of Homeland Security standards. However, the EVS-TAP program experienced temporary disruption due to a combination of geopolitical tensions, processing delays, and security concerns.
Governor Palacios cited the strained relationship between the U.S. and China as a major factor, noting that these tensions led to delays in travel authorization approvals for Chinese tourists — the primary market targeted by EVS-TAP. As a result, Hong Kong Airlines suspended its flights to Saipan, citing uncertainty and the inability to wait for federal solutions.
Governor Palacios emphasized EVS-TAP’s vital role in the CNMI’s economic recovery. “After months of direct engagement with federal officials, I am truly thankful that we have succeeded in getting this program back up and running. This will help reconnect us with the Asia visitor market through a secure and efficient process. The EVS-TAP program was designed precisely to address legitimate concerns raised by federal officials about visa-free entry in prior years. I am hopeful that those concerns have now been addressed and that this resumption will be long lasting and stable. We must always balance our need to attract tourists from mainland China with the need to maintain the security and integrity of our borders.”
With EVS-TAP’s reinstatement, Governor Palacios is optimistic about a rebound in Chinese tourism that will benefit small businesses — hotels, restaurants, tour operators — and help restore jobs while stimulating economic activity across the islands. The program’s restart has also renewed interest from international carriers like Hong Kong Airlines, whose future route plans depend heavily on the program’s stability.
For more information on EVS-TAP and travel authorization procedures, visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s EVS-TAP notice at https://shorturl.at/owYuU
