US Suspends Visa-Free Travel for Chinese to Northern Marianas
The US Department of Homeland Security has suspended a visa-free travel programme for Chinese citizens visiting the Northern Mariana Islands, citing espionage risks and the spread of "birth tourism", Fox News reported.
The decision by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin cancels rules introduced under the Biden administration. They allowed Chinese citizens, after prior screening, to visit the islands without a visa for up to 14 days. The department says the programme promotes not only birth tourism but also espionage near American military facilities, and creates a risk of illegal movement to neighbouring Guam, which hosts key US bases.
"While birth tourism has long been a problem in the Northern Mariana Islands, the possibility of visa-free travel and simplified screening under EVS-TAP could lower barriers for this practice," the department said.
What changes
The suspension takes effect at 14:00 US Eastern time on 30 October and applies both to new applicants and to travellers who have already received authorisation. Those currently on the islands can finish their stay, but will need a visa for future visits. The restrictions stay in force until the department, the State Department and the Interior Department finish a joint evaluation of the programme.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said officials are working with international partners and law enforcement to identify birth-tourism networks. According to him, organisers help visitors hide the purpose of their trip and instruct them on how to avoid paying medical bills. Birth tourism is when foreigners travel to the United States specifically to give birth so that the child receives American citizenship.
Background
The Economic Viability and Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) was developed in 2024 and took effect in early 2025. According to US Customs and Border Protection, more than 3,000 Chinese citizens used it in the 2025 fiscal year alone. On 12 August 2026 the State Department created a task force against birth tourism, which cancelled more than 750 visas linked to suspected abuse in its first month. See more in Politics.