The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suspended the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP), ending visa-free travel for eligible Chinese nationals. The suspension takes effect three days after its publication in the Federal Register on October 27, 2026.
What Was EVS-TAP?
DHS launched EVS-TAP in 2025 to allow pre-approved nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to visit the CNMI for tourism or short-term business without first obtaining a U.S. visa. The program replaced the previous parole-based travel policy and allowed travelers to:
- Visit only the CNMI (not Guam or the U.S. mainland).
- Stay for up to 14 days.
- Use a one-year travel authorization.
Why Did DHS Suspend the Program?
DHS suspended EVS-TAP while it reviews the program’s impact on national security, immigration enforcement, and public safety.
The department cited several concerns, including:
- Possible exploitation of the program for espionage and intelligence activities.
- Illegal onward travel from the CNMI to Guam.
- Risks related to birth tourism.
- Organized crime and money laundering.
- The strategic importance of military installations in the CNMI and Guam.
According to DHS, more than 3,000 Chinese nationals used EVS-TAP during Fiscal Year 2025. After reviewing the program, the department concluded that visa-free travel under EVS-TAP presents unacceptable security and law enforcement risks.
What Changes Now?
Once the suspension takes effect:
- DHS will stop accepting new EVS-TAP applications.
- It will revoke all existing EVS-TAP travel authorizations.
- Chinese nationals will generally need a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa to travel to the CNMI unless another legal exemption applies.
What About Current Visitors?
Chinese nationals who entered the CNMI legally under EVS-TAP before the suspension takes effect may remain until the end of their authorized stay. However, they must obtain a visa for any future travel to the CNMI.
No Return to the Previous Policy
DHS has confirmed that suspending EVS-TAP does not restore the parole-based travel policy that existed before February 2025. Instead, travelers must follow the standard U.S. visa application process.
What’s Next?
DHS has not announced how long the suspension will remain in place. The department will continue reviewing the program before deciding whether to reinstate, modify, or permanently discontinue EVS-TAP.
Official Sources
- DHS Public Inspection Document: https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-21880.pdf
- Federal Register (Official Notice): https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-21880
- Original EVS-TAP Implementation Rule (2025): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/06/2024-31326/implementation-of-the-commonwealth-of-the-northern-mariana-islands-cnmi-economic-vitality-and
