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Partners unveil APC machines on Saipan
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- Local and federal partners unveil the first ever automated passport control machines at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport on June 17, 2017. From left are Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Chris Tenorio, China Ad Hoc Committee chair Tom Liu, U.S. Customs and Border Protection port director Robert Havens, Imperial Pacific International Ltd. shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie, IPI’s VP of Client Services Henan Ma, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris A. Concepcion, and CPA board vice chair Thomas Villagomez. (MVA)
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- Local and federal partners unveil the automated passport control machines at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport on June 17, 2017. From left are Commonwealth Ports Authority deputy executive director Edward Mendiola, Imperial Pacific International Ltd. VP of Client Services Henan Ma, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris A. Concepcion, MVA marketing manager Bruce Bateman, MVA deputy managing director Judy Torres, CPA board vice chair Thomas Villagomez, IPI shareholder Margaret Cui Lijie, U.S. Customs and Border Protection port director Robert Havens, CPA executive director Chris Tenorio, and China Ad Hoc Committee chair Tom Liu. (MVA)
Local and federal partners came together on Monday to unveil the first ever automated passport control machines at the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan Saipan International Airport.
The Marianas Visitors Authority and Imperial Pacific International Ltd., which provided funding for the machines, joined the Commonwealth Ports Authority, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the MVA China Ad Hoc Committee in the brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The machines are expected to ease immigration processing times and are available for use by U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, U.S. B1 and B2 visa holders, ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) holders, and crew members. They should be able to complete their immigration processing using the machine in less than two minutes.
The MVA provided funding for four of the machines. In response to an appeal to its members, IPI donated nearly $140,000 for the purchase of three more machines.
“This is a great example of public and private sector partners coming together to solve problems facing our tourism industry,” said MVA managing director Christopher A. Concepcion. “We are optimistic that with these machines, and some other changes being implemented at the airport, arriving visitors will be able to process through immigration and begin their holiday quicker.”
“We hope that these APC machines will help lessen the wait times, as well as increase efficiency during the immigration process,” said CPA executive director Chris Tenorio. “I would like to extend my appreciation to the Marianas Visitors Authority and all of its sponsors for contributing the necessary resources to purchase the newly installed APC machines. Thank you, Customs and Border Protection, for working hand in hand with the CPA to ensure that we address and resolve these issues without jeopardizing the CNMI’s security and protection, and to the entire China Ad Hoc Committee for working diligently with all federal and local agencies to help improve our airport facilities.”
It is expected that by the end of this year and once approved, the machines may also be available for use by individuals arriving under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. (MVA)
