US ends visa waiver for Chinese over birth tourism, people smuggling allegations
Washington has suspended visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to the Northern Mariana Islands amid allegations of birth tourism and people smuggling in the US territory. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday the suspension of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program. US Senator Mike Lee hailed the move on…
The US government has halted visa-free entry for Chinese individuals visiting the Northern Mariana Islands due to allegations of birth tourism and people smuggling. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the suspension of the Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) on Monday. Senator Mike Lee commended the decision on social media, labeling it a "Biden-era loophole" for Chinese birth tourism and praising the Trump administration for closing the pathway.
The EVS-TAP permitted pre-screened Chinese nationals to visit the islands for up to 14 days without a US visa. The program, also known as EVS-TAP, will be cancelled for existing authorizations starting October 30, although Chinese nationals currently in the Pacific Ocean territory may finalize their authorized stays. Over 3,000 Chinese nationals utilized the EVS-TAP in the 2025 financial year.
The DHS stated it had "good cause" to suspend the program, as PRC nationals are almost certainly exploiting EVS-TAP.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
