EVS-TAP is a saving grace for the CNMI’s China Market

Because it’s a permanent CNMI-only visa waiver program specific to Chinese tourists, the long-awaited establishment of the CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program is a saving grace for the CNMI’s China market, according to Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion.

Speaking at a news briefing yesterday, Concepcion, who was previously pessimistic about the revocation of the China discretionary parole program, shared his excitement about the establishment of EVS-TAP, stating that it’s the saving grace for the CNMI’s China market.

“It’s exciting news to see that the U.S. government has essentially made what has historically been called, even if it isn’t, the China visa waiver program. It’s going to become a permanent program for visa-free access for visitors from the People’s Republic of China to the CNMI through EVS-TAP that’s being vetted by the U.S. government. This is the saving grace for the China market,” he said.

The EVS-TAP, which is a CNMI-only program, will require the screening of inbound visitors prior to their departure from China.

The program was created last week after the U.S Department of Homeland Security issued an interim final ruling that outlines the rules that all incoming visitors from China must comply with before they are allowed entry into the CNMI.

Concepcion previously said that removing the discretionary parole program that was being used to allow Chinese tourists to enter the CNMI would be detrimental to the CNMI’s tourism industry. Now, with the creation of the EVS-TAP that will replace it, he said this means good things for the CNMI in terms of economic recovery, especially starting in March, which will see the return of Hong Kong Airlines.

Concepcion said MVA, just like the CNMI business community, fully supports the establishment of the program.

“We are very eager to have access to all markets around the world, especially in east Asia. It’s really Japan, Korea, and China that have been the dominant markets throughout our history and so we are excited about the prospects of these programs being catalyst for future growth of the tourism industry,” he said.

Although the program is still in the works, MVA said the EVS-TAP is believed to be similar to the “ESTA” program that Japan and Korean passport holders are able to apply for to enter the United States.

“We are hoping that this new program for the Chinese visitors is going to be similar. We’ll see. The regulations are still being worked out as we speak, so we are assuming its going to be similar to the ‘ESTA’ program. It’s a very simple program. We’re hoping it’s similar in the sense that approval takes place instantly or within 24 hours,” he said.

As for any potential challenges, Concepcion said he is confident that DHS has the means to carry out the program with little challenge along the way.

“Maybe there will be some challenges. I assume, because it’s a new program, there may be some wrinkles and kinks that may need to be ironed out, but nothing too crazy. The ESTA program is very similar to this. You go online and apply for ESTA prior to entering or leaving Korea or Japan to the U.S., so I’m assuming DHS has the mechanism in place already and might just need to tweak it for this program. We don’t know, only time will tell. I can reasonably assume that there will be some trial and error as the program rolls out,” he said.

As far as advertising the CNMI as a destination in China, Concepcion said MVA doesn’t have any plans of launching any promotional campaigns in China right now as it lacks funds to open an office in that country.

“At this time, we don’t have an office in China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong so we’re going to rely on our partners on the ground who are supporting the CNMI. Also, with the upcoming launch of Hong Kong Airlines, we’re just going use that airlines’ network to promote travel to the CNMI from that region,” he said.

Last week, DHS approved the interim final ruling establishing the EVS-TAP and amending the Guam/CNMI Visa Waiver Program. The program would essentially allow visa-free travel for pre-screened travelers from China to the CNMI.

According to the interim final ruling, DHS will require persons intending to travel to the CNMI under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to submit Form I-736 electronically in advance of travel and receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a flight to Guam or the CNMI. This rule also establishes the EVS-TAP as a restricted sub-program of the G-CNMI VWP.

Under the current visa waiver program regulations, a paper U.S. Customs and Border Protection Form I-736 is presented to Immigration upon arrival.

U.S. lawmakers previously urged Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to abolish the discretionary parole program, saying it presents a national security risk.

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce, the Hotel Association for the NMI, and CNMI lawmakers have pushed for the establishment of the EVS-TAP in response to the U.S. lawmakers’ efforts.

The CNMI EVS-TAP was first proposed in 2019 and aims to enhance security measures while ensuring the orderly entry of PRC nationals for tourism purposes.