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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 658-659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31326]

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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.

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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 [email protected].

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
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