By Pacific Island Times News Staff
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The discretionary parole policy for Chinese tourists seeking to enter the Northern Marianas visa-free will be terminated on Feb. 20, and officially replaced by an electronic prescreening system, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced.
DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the implementation of the Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program, or EVS-TAP, in a notice of final rule posted on the Federal Register on Jan. 6.
Under the current parole system, tourists from China present paper documents on arrival in the Northern Marianas.
The new CNMI EVS-TAP requires carriers to “deny boarding to travelers without a visa or without an approved electronic travel authorization,” Mayorkas said.
The interim federal rule for the EVS-TAP went into effect on Sept. 30, 2024, allowing the DHS to incorporate a 60-day transition period to facilitate travelers adjusting to the new collection method.'
“This 60-day transition period ended on Nov. 29, 2024, and the system for G-CNMI VWP automation is fully operational,” the final rule said.
“DHS is now ready to implement CNMI EVS-TAP. This document provides notification that CBP is implementing the requirements of CNMI EVS-TAP set forth in 8 CFR 212.1(r) for certain PRC nationals as of Feb. 20, 2024," states the final rule.