US suspends visa-free travel program for Chinese visitors to Northern Mariana Islands
The United States will suspend a special visa-free travel program for Chinese nationals visiting the Northern Mariana Islands, citing national security concerns, potential espionage and so-called birth tourism.
The suspension takes effect on October 30 at 2 p.m. Eastern time, according to a notice published by the Department of Homeland Security.
The Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) allowed prescreened Chinese citizens to visit the U.S. territory for up to 14 days without obtaining a visa. It did not permit travel to neighboring Guam or the U.S. mainland.
The program was established under the Biden administration in 2024 and began operating in February 2025. More than 3,000 Chinese nationals used it during the 2025 fiscal year, according to DHS.
The department said the arrangement could be exploited for intelligence gathering near sensitive U.S. military installations, including Tinian Air Base in the Northern Mariana Islands and military facilities on Guam.
DHS cited previous cases in which Chinese nationals were smuggled by boat from the Northern Mariana Islands to Guam. Those incidents involved earlier entry arrangements, rather than the program now being suspended.
The department also raised concerns about birth tourism, in which foreign nationals travel to give birth in the United States so their children can acquire U.S. citizenship.
"While birth tourism has long been an issue in the CNMI, the availability of visa-exempt travel and reduced vetting under EVS-TAP may lower barriers to this practice," the notice said.
The notice did not provide evidence of espionage committed by EVS-TAP participants or figures showing how many births were linked to the program.
The suspension applies to both new applicants and travelers who already hold valid authorizations. Chinese nationals already legally present in the territory may complete their authorized stays, but will generally need visas for future visits.
DHS said the suspension would remain in place while the department reviews the program in consultation with other federal agencies. Chinese travelers may still apply for regular U.S. visas to visit the islands.
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