Unique tourist visa in the works for the CNMI

Although the CNMI faces the possible revocation of its discretionary parole program by the U.S Department of Homeland Security, members of the CNMI business community remain optimistic about a new visa unique to the CNMI that could still set the Commonwealth apart from other U.S. destinations.

In an interview with Saipan Chamber of Commerce president Joseph “Joe” C. Guerrero yesterday, he said the initial reaction from the Chamber and its members was shock after learning that some members of U.S Congress want DHS to end the CNMI’s discretionary parole program.

“For some, it was a shock to learn that an economic tool that was provided to us is being proposed to be discontinued without a solution to our economic recovery,” he said.

Guerrero concedes that the discretionary parole program was never a permanent solution for the CNMI and, fortunately, even with the program ending, a new tourist visa that will be unique to the CNMI is underway.

“Yes, the discretionary program was never a permanent visa for the CNMI, but it was a tool that was provided for our unique situation so that we could have tourists from certain countries [come in] and so we could be as self-reliant as possible. There is this visa program that was a result of the last 902 consultation in 2016. In 2019, the federal government agreed to create this new visa called the Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program, or EVSTAP. This will be a subprogram of the Guam/CNMI visa waiver program which we know is a unique visa waiver program that allows our region to grow in terms of tourism. It was a program to allow tourists from certain countries that may not be as readily welcomed in the United States,” he said.

Although the EVSTAP would provide an extra step for specific tourists, like the Chinese, to enter the CNMI, it would still be much easier for them to apply for this visa as opposed to the current B1/B2 tourist visa, which is implemented for all states and territories.

Guerrero said it’s been known by both the federal and CNMI government that the discretionary program is to end once the EVSTAP program is in place.

“The final rule pertaining to EVSTAP was adopted in July 2023 and from what we understand, the EVSTAP program can now be implemented by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Now that the rule making process is complete, the next step would be to have USCIS and CBP implement the program,” he said.

Ultimately, Guerrero said, the EVSTAP program is supposed to resolve much, if not all, of the concerns brought about by Congress, like national security.

“We need a market and we welcome all tourists. The facts are that China, in particular, has people who want to travel everywhere. Theres many Chinese tourists in the United States. Many states are lobbying for Chinese tourists and many of these states even have offices in China to promote their businesses and whatnot. So we understand, but we’re unique and so we have to have certain considerations,” he said.