DHS Halts Visa-Free Travel for Chinese Nationals to Northern Mariana Islands

The Department of Homeland Security has ended the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program, which previously allowed Chinese nationals to visit the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa. The suspension, ordered by Secretary Markwayne Mullin, took effect on October 30, 2026.

Under the new mandate, all Chinese nationals planning to visit the islands for business or tourism must follow the standard U.S. visa application process. Existing authorizations have been canceled, though individuals already lawfully present in the territory may finish their authorized stays.

Federal officials stated that the program posed significant security risks, including potential espionage near military sites, human smuggling, and money laundering. The agency also expressed concerns regarding birth tourism, noting that the program lacked the in-person consular interviews required by standard visa procedures.

Local officials in the Northern Mariana Islands expressed concern over the economic fallout, noting that Chinese visitors accounted for over 20 percent of arrivals in the last fiscal year. The Marianas Visitors Authority warned that the loss of these travelers could reduce airline service and worsen the territory's ongoing fiscal challenges.

The Department of Homeland Security is currently reviewing the program alongside the Departments of State and the Interior. There is no current timeline for when the suspension might be lifted or if the program will be permanently discontinued.