Notice2024-31326
Implementation of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 6, 2025
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentU.S. Customs and Border Protection
Abstract
This document announces the implementation of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP). The CNMI EVS-TAP is a restricted sub-program of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and allows prescreened nationals of the People's Republic of China to travel to the CNMI without a visa under specified conditions. In accordance with Department of Homeland Security regulations, DHS will begin implementation of the CNMI EVS-TAP requirements 45 days after publication of this notification of implementation in the Federal Register.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 658-659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31326]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Implementation of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization
Program (EVS-TAP)
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, DHS.
ACTION: General notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document announces the implementation of the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security
Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP). The CNMI EVS-TAP is a
restricted sub-program of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and allows
prescreened nationals of the People's Republic of China to travel to
the CNMI without a visa under specified conditions. In accordance with
Department of Homeland Security regulations, DHS will begin
implementation of the CNMI EVS-TAP requirements 45 days after
publication of this notification of implementation in the Federal
Register.
DATES: Implementation of the CNMI EVS-TAP requirements will begin as of
February 20, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neyda Yejo, Office of Field
Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, (202) 344-2373, or via
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c789a2bea3a6e98ee99ea2ada887a4a5b7e9a3afb4e9a0a8b1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="317f544855501f781f68545b5e715253411f5559421f565e47">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On January 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS),
through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), published an interim
final rule (IFR) in the Federal Register (89 FR 3299) with an effective
date of September 30, 2024. The IFR, promulgated in consultation with
the Secretary of the Interior and the
[[Page 659]]
Secretary of State, amended DHS regulations to establish an electronic
travel authorization process for individuals traveling to Guam or the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) under the Guam-CNMI
Visa Waiver Program (G-CNMI VWP). See Sec. 212.1(q)(9) of title 8 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR 212.1(q)(9)). The IFR also
amended DHS regulations to establish the CNMI Economic Vitality &
Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) that also includes an
electronic travel authorization process for certain nationals of the
People's Republic of China (PRC) traveling to the CNMI only. See 8 CFR
212.1(r). As detailed in the IFR, to fully integrate the two automated
systems in an efficient and cost-effective manner, DHS would implement
the CNMI EVS-TAP after the system for G-CNMI VWP automation became
fully operational. 89 FR at 3303, 3310. The IFR explained that when DHS
was ready to fully implement CNMI EVS-TAP, DHS would provide
notification in the Federal Register, and the CNMI EVS-TAP would be
implemented 45 days after publication as set forth in 8 CFR
212.1(r)(11). Id.
Implementation of CNMI EVS-TAP
Although the IFR was effective on September 30, 2024, DHS
incorporated a 60-day transition period to facilitate travelers
adjusting to the new collection method. See 8 CFR 212.1(q)(9)(i). This
60-day transition period ended on November 29, 2024, and the system for
G-CNMI VWP automation is fully operational. Accordingly, carriers must
now deny boarding to travelers without a visa or without an approved
electronic travel authorization. See 8 CFR 212.1(q)(5)(iv).
DHS is now ready to implement CNMI EVS-TAP. Pursuant to 8 CFR
212.1(r)(11), 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 February 20, 2024. At that
time, eligible nationals from the PRC seeking to travel to the CNMI
only for a period not to exceed 14 days without a visa under the CNMI
EVS-TAP will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization
from CBP prior to embarking on such travel. See 8 CFR 212.1(r).
Concurrently, the current parole policy for PRC nationals seeking to
enter the CNMI will be discontinued on February 20, 2024.
Alejandro N. Mayorkas,
Secretary of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2024-31326 Filed 1-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 6, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.