A valid unexpired visa that meets the requirements of part 215, subpart B, of this chapter, if applicable, and an unexpired passport, shall be presented by each arriving nonimmigrant alien except that the passport validity period for an applicant for admission who is a member of a class described in section 102 of the Act is not required to extend beyond the date of his application for admission if so admitted, and except as otherwise provided in the Act, this chapter, and for the following classes:

1. (a) Citizens of Canada or Bermuda, Bahamian nationals or British subjects resident in certain islands—(1) Canadian citizens. A visa is generally not required for Canadian citizens, except those Canadians that fall under nonimmigrant visa categories E, K, S, or V as provided in paragraphs (h), (l), and (m) of this section and 22 CFR 41.2. A valid unexpired passport is required for Canadian citizens arriving in the United States, except when meeting one of the following requirements:

   1. (i) NEXUS Program. A Canadian citizen who is traveling as a participant in the NEXUS program, and who is not otherwise required to present a passport and visa as provided in paragraphs (h), (l), and (m) of this section and 22 CFR 41.2, may present a valid unexpired NEXUS program card when using a NEXUS Air kiosk or when entering the United States from contiguous territory or adjacent islands at a land or sea port-of-entry. A Canadian citizen who enters the United States by pleasure vessel from Canada under the remote inspection system may present a valid unexpired NEXUS program card.
   2. (ii) FAST Program. A Canadian citizen who is traveling as a participant in the FAST program, and who is not otherwise required to present a passport and visa as provided in paragraphs (h), (l), and (m) of this section and 22 CFR 41.2, may present a valid unexpired FAST card at a land or sea port-of-entry prior to entering the United States from contiguous territory or adjacent islands.
   3. (iii) SENTRI Program. A Canadian citizen who is traveling as a participant in the SENTRI program, and who is not otherwise required to present a passport and visa as provided in paragraphs (h), (l), and (m) of this section and 22 CFR 41.2, may present a valid unexpired SENTRI card at a land or sea port-of-entry prior to entering the United States from contiguous territory or adjacent islands.
   4. (iv) Canadian Indians. If designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, a Canadian citizen holder of a Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (“INAC”) card issued by the Canadian Department of Indian Affairs and North Development, Director of Land and Trust Services (“LTS”) in conformance with security standards agreed upon by the Governments of Canada and the United States, and containing a machine readable zone and who is arriving from Canada may present the card prior to entering the United States at a land port-of-entry.

   5. (v) Children. A child who is a Canadian citizen arriving from contiguous territory may present for admission to the United States at sea or land ports-of-entry certain other documents if the arrival meets the requirements described below.

      1. (A) Children Under Age 16. A Canadian citizen who is under the age of 16 is permitted to present an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Canadian Citizenship Card, or a Canadian Naturalization Certificate when arriving in the United States from contiguous territory at land or sea ports-of-entry.

      2. (B) Groups of Children Under Age 19. A Canadian citizen, under age 19 who is traveling with a public or private school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or team associated with a youth sport organization is permitted to present an original or a copy of his or her birth certificate, a Canadian Citizenship Card, or a Canadian Naturalization Certificate when arriving in the United States from contiguous territory at land or sea ports-of-entry, when the group, organization or team is under the supervision of an adult affiliated with the organization and when the child has parental or legal guardian consent to travel. For purposes of this paragraph, an adult is considered to be a person who is age 19 or older. The following requirements will apply:

         (1) The group, organization, or team must provide to CBP upon crossing the border, on organizational letterhead:

         (i) The name of the group, organization or team, and the name of the supervising adult;

         (ii) A trip itinerary, including the stated purpose of the trip, the location of the destination, and the length of stay;

         (iii) A list of the children on the trip;

         (iv) For each child, the primary address, primary phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of a parent or legal guardian.

         (2) The adult leading the group, organization, or team must demonstrate parental or legal guardian consent by certifying in the writing submitted in paragraph (a)(1)(v)(B)(1) of this section that he or she has obtained for each child the consent of at least one parent or legal guardian.

         (3) The inspection procedure described in this paragraph is limited to members of the group, organization, or team who are under age 19. Other members of the group, organization, or team must comply with other applicable document and/or inspection requirements found in this part or parts 211 or 235 of this subchapter.

      3. (2) Citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. A visa is generally not required for Citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, except those Bermudians that fall under nonimmigrant visa categories E, K, S, or V as provided in paragraphs (h), (l), and (m) of this section and 22 CFR 41.2. A passport is required for Citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda arriving in the United States.
      4. (3) Bahamian nationals or British subjects resident in the Bahamas. A passport is required. A visa required of such an alien unless, prior to or at the time of embarkation for the United States on a vessel or aircraft, the alien satisfied the examining U.S. immigration officer at the Bahamas, that he or she is clearly and beyond a doubt entitled to admission, under section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, in all other respects.
      5. (4) British subjects resident in the Cayman Islands or in the Turks and Caicos Islands. A passport is required. A visa is required of such an alien unless he or she arrives directly from the Cayman Islands or the Turks and Caicos Islands and presents a current certificate from the Clerk of Court of the Cayman Islands or the Turks and Caicos Islands indicating no criminal record.

2. (b) Nationals of the British Virgin Islands. A visa is not required of a national of the British Virgin Islands who has his or her residence in the British Virgin Islands, if:

   1. (1) The alien is seeking admission solely to visit the Virgin Islands of the United States; or

   2. (2) At the time of embarking on an aircraft at St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, the alien meets each of the following requirements:

      1. (i) The alien is traveling to any other part of the United States by aircraft as a nonimmigrant visitor for business or pleasure (as described in section 101(a)(15)(B) of the Act);
      2. (ii) The alien satisfies the examining U.S. immigration officer at the port-of-entry that he or she is clearly and beyond doubt entitled to admission in all other respects; and
      3. (iii) The alien presents a current certificate issued by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force indicating that he or she has no criminal record.

3. (c) Mexican nationals.

   1. (1) A visa and a passport are not required of a Mexican national who:

      1. (i) Is applying for admission as a temporary visitor for business or pleasure from Mexico at a land port-of-entry, or arriving by pleasure vessel or ferry, if the national is in possession of a Form DSP-150, B-1/B-2 Visa and Border Crossing Card issued by the Department of State, containing a machine-readable biometric identifier; or.
      2. (ii) Is applying for admission from contiguous territory or adjacent islands at a land or sea port-of-entry, if the national is a member of the Texas Band of Kickapoo Indians or Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma who is in possession of a Form I-872 American Indian Card.

   2. (2) A visa shall not be required of a Mexican national who:

      1. (i) Is in possession of a Form DSP-150, with a biometric identifier, issued by the DOS, and a passport, and is applying for admission as a temporary visitor for business or pleasure from other than contiguous territory;
      2. (ii) Is a crew member employed on an aircraft belonging to a Mexican company owned carrier authorized to engage in commercial transportation into the United States; or
      3. (iii) Bears a Mexican diplomatic or official passport and who is a military or civilian official of the Federal Government of Mexico entering the United States for 6 months or less for a purpose other than on assignment as a permanent employee to an office of the Mexican Federal Government in the United States, and the official's spouse or any of the official's dependent family members under 19 years of age, bearing diplomatic or official passports, who are in the actual company of such official at the time of admission into the United States. This provision does not apply to the spouse or any of the official's family members classifiable under section 101(a)(15)(F) or (M) of the Act.
   3. (3) A Mexican national who presents a BCC at a POE must present the DOS-issued DSP-150 containing a machine-readable biometric identifier. The alien will not be permitted to cross the border into the United States unless the biometric identifier contained on the card matches the appropriate biometric characteristic of the alien.
   4. (4) Mexican nationals presenting a combination B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa and border crossing card (or similar stamp in a passport), issued by DOS prior to April 1, 1998, that does not contain a machine-readable biometric identifier, may be admitted on the basis of the nonimmigrant visa only, provided it has not expired and the alien remains admissible. A passport is also required.
   5. (5) Aliens entering pursuant to International Boundary and Water Commission Treaty. A visa and a passport are not required of an alien employed either directly or indirectly on the construction, operation, or maintenance of works in the United States undertaken in accordance with the treaty concluded on February 3, 1944, between the United States and Mexico regarding the functions of the International Boundary and Water Commission, and entering the United States temporarily in connection with such employment.
4. (d) Citizens of the Freely Associated States, formerly Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia may enter into, lawfully engage in employment, and establish residence in the United States and its territories and possessions without regard to paragraphs (14), (20) and (26) of section 212(a) of the Act pursuant to the terms of Pub. L. 99-239. Pending issuance by the aforementioned governments of travel documents to eligible citizens, travel documents previously issued by the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands will continue to be accepted for purposes of identification and to establish eligibility for admission into the United States, its territories and possessions.

5. (e) Aliens entering Guam pursuant to section 14 of Pub. L. 99-396, “Omnibus Territories Act.”

   1. (1) Until November 28, 2009, a visa is not required of an alien who is a citizen of a country enumerated in paragraph (e)(3) of this section who:

      1. (i) Is classifiable as a vistor for business or pleasure;
      2. (ii) Is solely entering and staying on Guam for a period not to exceed fifteen days;
      3. (iii) Is in possession of a round-trip nonrefundable and nontransferable transportation ticket bearing a confirmed departure date not exceeding fifteen days from the date of admission to Guam;
      4. (iv) Is in possession of a completed and signed Visa Waiver Information Form (Form I-736);
      5. (v) Waives any right to review or appeal the immigration officer's determination of admissibility at the port of entry at Guam; and
      6. (vi) Waives any right to contest any action for deportation, other than on the basis of a request for asylum.

   2. (2) An alien is eligible for the waiver provision if all of the eligibility criteria in paragraph (e)(1) of this section have been met prior to embarkation and the alien is a citizen of a country that:

      1. (i) Has a visa refusal rate of 16.9% or less, or a country whose visa refusal rate exceeds 16.9% and has an established preinspection or preclearance program, pursuant to a bilateral agreement with the United States under which its citizens traveling to Guam without a valid United States visa are inspected by the Immigration and Naturalization Service prior to departure from that country;
      2. (ii) Is within geographical proximity to Guam, unless the country has a substantial volume of nonimmigrant admissions to Guam as determined by the Commissioner and extends reciprocal privileges to citizens of the United States;
      3. (iii) Is not designated by the Department of State as being of special humanitarian concern; and

      4. (iv) Poses no threat to the welfare, safety or security of the United States, its territories, or commonwealths.

         Any potential threats to the welfare, safety, or security of the United States, its territories, or commonwealths will be dealt with on a country by country basis, and a determination by the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service that a threat exists will result in the immediate deletion of that country from the listing in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.

   3. (3)

      1. (i) The following geographic areas meet the eligibility criteria as stated in paragraph (e)(2) of this section: Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan (residents thereof who begin their travel in Taiwan and who travel on direct flights from Taiwan to Guam without an intermediate layover or stop except that the flights may stop in a territory of the United States enroute), the United Kingdom (including the citizens of the colony of Hong Kong), Vanuatu, and Western Samoa. The provision that flights transporting residents of Taiwan to Guam may stop at a territory of the United States enroute may be rescinded whenever the number of inadmissible passengers arriving in Guam who have transited a territory of the United States enroute to Guam exceeds 20 percent of all the inadmissible passengers arriving in Guam within any consecutive two-month period. Such rescission will be published in the Federal Register.
      2. (ii) For the purposes of this section, the term citizen of a country as used in 8 CFR 212.1(e)(1) when applied to Taiwan refers only to residents of Taiwan who are in possession of Taiwan National Identity Cards and a valid Taiwan passport with a valid re-entry permit issued by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It does not refer to any other holder of a Taiwan passport or a passport issued by the People's Republic of China.

   4. (4) Admission under this section renders an alien ineligible for:

      1. (i) Adjustment of status to that of a temporary resident or, except as provided by section 245(i) of the Act or as an immediate relative as defined in section 201(b) of the Act, to that of a lawful permanent resident.
      2. (ii) Change of nonimmigrant status; or
      3. (iii) Extension of stay.

   5. (5) A transportation line bringing any alien to Guam pursuant to this section shall:

      1. (i) Enter into a contract on Form I-760, made by the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in behalf of the government;
      2. (ii) Transport only an alien who is a citizen and in possession of a valid passport of a country enumerated in paragraph (e)(3) of this section;

      3. (iii) Transport only an alien in possession of a round-trip, nontransferable transportation ticket:

         1. (A) Bearing a confirmed departure date not exceeding fifteen days from the date of admission to Guam,
         2. (B) Valid for a period of not less than one year,
         3. (C) Nonrefundable except in the country in which issued or in the country of the alien's nationality or residence,
         4. (D) Issued by a carrier which has entered into an agreement described in part (5)(i) of this section, and
         5. (E) Which the carrier will unconditionally honor when presented for return passage; and
      4. (iv) Transport only an alien in possession of a completed and signed Visa Waiver Information Form I-736.

6. (f) Direct transits.

   1. (1) -(2) [Reserved]
   2. (3) Foreign government officials in transit. If an alien is of the class described in section 212(d)(8) of the Act, only a valid unexpired visa and a travel document valid for entry into a foreign country for at least 30 days from the date of admission to the United States are required.
7. (g) Unforeseen emergency. A nonimmigrant seeking admission to the United States must present an unexpired visa and passport valid for the amount of time set forth in section 212(a)(7)(B)(i) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(7)(B)(i), or a valid biometric border crossing card issued by the DOS on Form DSP-150, at the time of application for admission, unless the nonimmigrant satisfies the requirements described in one or more of paragraphs (a) through (f) or (i), (o), or (p) of this section. Upon a nonimmigrant's application on Form I-193, or successor form, “Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa,” a district director may, in the exercise of its discretion, on a case-by-case basis, waive either or both of the documentary requirements of section 212(a)(7)(B)(i) if satisfied that the nonimmigrant cannot present the required documents because of an unforeseen emergency. The district director may at any time revoke a waiver previously authorized pursuant to this paragraph and notify the nonimmigrant in writing to that effect.
8. (h) Nonimmigrant spouses, fiancées, fiancés, and children of U.S. citizens. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this part, an alien seeking admission as a spouse, fiancée, fiancé, or child of a U.S. citizen, or as a child of the spouse, fiané, or finacée of a U.S. citizen, pursuant to section 101(a)(15)(K) of the Act shall be in possession of an unexpired nonimmigrant visa issued by an American consular officer classifying the alien under that section, or be inadmissible under section 212(a)(7)(B) of the Act.
9. (i) Visa Waiver Program. A visa is not required of any alien who is eligible to apply for admission to the United States as a Visa Waiver Program applicant pursuant to the provisions of section 217 of the Act and part 217 of this chapter if such alien is a national of a country designated under the Visa Waiver Program, who seeks admission to the United States for a period of 90 days or less as a visitor for business or pleasure.
10. (j) Officers authorized to act upon recommendations of United States consular officers for waiver of visa and passport requirements. All district directors, the officers in charge are authorized to act upon recommendations made by United States consular officers or by officers of the Visa Office, Department of State, pursuant to the provisions of 22 CFR 41.7 for waiver of visa and passport requirements under the provisions of section 212(d)(4)(A) of the Act. The District Director at Washington, DC, has jurisdiction in such cases recommended to the Service at the seat of Government level by the Department of State. Neither an application nor fee are required if the concurrence in a passport or visa waiver is requested by a U.S. consular officer or by an officer of the Visa Office. The district director or the Deputy Commissioner, may at any time revoke a waiver previously authorized pursuant to this paragraph and notify the nonimmigrant alien in writing to that effect.
11. (k) Cancellation of nonimmigrant visas by immigration officers. Upon receipt of advice from the Department of State that a nonimmigrant visa has been revoked or invalidated, and request by that Department for such action, immigration officers shall place an appropriate endorsement thereon.
12. (l) Treaty traders and investors. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this part, an alien seeking admission as a treaty trader or investor under the provisions of Chapter 16 of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) pursuant to section 101(a)(15)(E) of the Act, shall be in possession of a nonimmigrant visa issued by an American consular officer classifying the alien under that section.
13. (m) Aliens in S classification. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this part, an alien seeking admission pursuant to section 101(a)(15)(S) of the Act must be in possession of appropriate documents issued by a United States consular officer classifying the alien under that section.
14. (n) [Reserved]

15. (o) Alien in T-2 through T-6 classification. USCIS may apply paragraph (g) of this section to individuals seeking T-2, T-3, T-4, T-5, or T-6 nonimmigrant status upon request by the applicant.

    (Secs. 103, 104, 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (8 U.S.C. 1103, 1104, 1132))

16. (p) Alien in U-1 through U-5 classification. Individuals seeking U-1 through U-5 nonimmigrant status may avail themselves of the provisions of paragraph (g) of this section, except that the authority to waive documentary requirements resides with the director of the USCIS office having jurisdiction over the adjudication of Form I-918, “Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.”

17. (q) Aliens admissible under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program—(1) Eligibility for Program. In accordance with Public Law 110-229, beginning November 28, 2009, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Departments of Interior and State, may waive the visa requirement in the case of a nonimmigrant alien who seeks admission to Guam or to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. To be admissible under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, prior to embarking on a carrier for travel to Guam or the CNMI, each nonimmigrant alien must:

    1. (i) Be a national of a country or geographic area listed in paragraph (q)(2) of this section;
    2. (ii) Be classifiable as a visitor for business or pleasure;
    3. (iii) Be solely entering and staying on Guam or the CNMI for a period not to exceed forty-five days;
    4. (iv) Be in possession of a round trip ticket that is nonrefundable and nontransferable and bears a confirmed departure date not exceeding forty-five days from the date of admission to Guam or the CNMI. “Round trip ticket” includes any return trip transportation ticket issued by a participating carrier, electronic ticket record, airline employee passes indicating return passage, individual vouchers for return passage, group vouchers for return passage for charter flights, or military travel orders which include military dependents for return to duty stations outside the United States on U.S. military flights;
    5. (v) On or after November 29, 2024, receive electronic travel authorization pursuant to paragraph (q)(9) of this section; prior to this date, receive electronic travel authorization pursuant to paragraph (q)(9) of this section or be in possession of a completed and signed Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information Form (CBP Form I-736);
    6. (vi) Be in possession of a completed and signed I-94 (see § 1.4), Arrival-Departure Record (CBP Form I-94);
    7. (vii) Be in possession of a valid unexpired ICAO compliant, machine readable passport issued by a country that meets the eligibility requirements of paragraph (q)(2) of this section;
    8. (viii) Have not previously violated the terms of any prior admissions. Prior admissions include those under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, the prior Guam Visa Waiver Program, the Visa Waiver Program as described in section 217(a) of the Act and admissions pursuant to any immigrant or nonimmigrant visa;
    9. (ix) Waive any right to review or appeal an immigration officer's determination of admissibility at the port of entry into Guam or the CNMI;
    10. (x) Waive any right to contest any action for deportation or removal, other than on the basis of: An application for withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the INA; withholding or deferral of removal under the regulations implementing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; or, an application for asylum if permitted under section 208 of the Act.

    11. (2) Program Countries and Geographic Areas—(i) General Eligibility Criteria.

        1. (A) A country or geographic area may not participate in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program if the country or geographic area poses a threat to the welfare, safety or security of the United States, its territories, or commonwealths;
        2. (B) A country or geographic area may not participate in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program if it has been designated a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 by the Department of State, or identified by the Department of State as a source country of refugees designated of special humanitarian concern to the United States;
        3. (C) A country or geographic area may not participate in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program if that country, not later than three weeks after the issuance of a final order of removal, does not accept for repatriation any citizen, former citizen, or national of the country against whom a final executable order of removal is issued. Nothing in this subparagraph creates any duty for the United States or any right for any alien with respect to removal or release. Nothing in this subparagraph gives rise to any cause of action or claim under this paragraph or any other law against any official of the United States or of any State to compel the release, removal or reconsideration for release or removal of any alien.
        4. (D) DHS may make a determination regarding a country's eligibility based on other factors including, but not limited to, rate of refusal for nonimmigrant visas, rate of overstays, cooperation in information exchange with the United States, electronic travel authorizations, and any other factors deemed relevant by DHS.

        5. (ii) Eligible Countries and Geographic Areas. Nationals of the following countries are eligible to participate in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program for purposes of admission to both Guam and the CNMI: Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Travelers with a connection to one of the following geographic areas—the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong) or Taiwan—may also be eligible to participate in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program for purposes of admission to both Guam and the CNMI, see paragraphs (q)(2)(ii)(A) and (q)(2)(ii)(B) respectively.

           1. (A) Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong). To be eligible to participate in the program as a result of a connection to Hong Kong, the following documentation is required: A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport with a Hong Kong identification card; or a British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport with a Hong Kong identification card.
           2. (B) Taiwan. To be eligible to participate in the program as a result of a connection to Taiwan, one must be a resident of Taiwan who begins his or her travel in Taiwan and who travels on direct flights from Taiwan to Guam or the CNMI without an intermediate layover or stop, except that the flights may stop in a territory of the United States en route, and must be in possession of a Taiwan National Identity Card and a valid Taiwan passport with a valid re-entry permit issued by the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
        6. (iii) Significant Economic Benefit Criteria. If, in addition to the considerations enumerated under paragraph (q)(2)(i) of this section, DHS determines that the CNMI has received a significant economic benefit from the number of visitors for pleasure from particular countries during the period of May 8, 2007 through May 8, 2008, those countries are eligible to participate in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program unless the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that such country's inclusion in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would represent a threat to the welfare, safety, or security of the United States and its territories.
        7. (iv) Additional Eligible Countries or Geographic Areas Based on Significant Economic Benefit. [Reserved]

    12. (3) Suspension of Program Countries or Geographic Areas.

        1. (i) Suspension of a country or geographic area from the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program may be made on a country-by-country basis for good cause including, but not limited to if: The admissions of visitors from a country have resulted in an unacceptable number of visitors from a country remaining unlawfully in Guam or the CNMI, unlawfully obtaining entry to other parts of the United States, or seeking withholding of removal or seeking asylum; or that visitors from a country pose a risk to law enforcement or security interests, including the enforcement of immigration laws of Guam, the CNMI, or the United States.
        2. (ii) A country or geographic area may be suspended from the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program if that country or geographic area is designated as a Country of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 by the Department of State, or identified by the Department of State as a source country of refugees designated of special humanitarian concern to the United States, pending an evaluation and determination by the Secretary.
        3. (iii) A country or geographic area may be suspended from the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State, based on the evaluation of all factors the Secretary deems relevant including, but not limited to, electronic travel authorization, procedures for reporting lost and stolen passports, repatriation of aliens, rates of refusal for nonimmigrant visitor visas, overstays, exit systems and information exchange.

    13. (4) Ineligibility due to admission under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program. Admission under this section renders an alien ineligible for:

        1. (i) Adjustment of status to that of a temporary resident or, except as provided by section 245(i) of the Act or as an immediate relative as defined in section 201(b) of the Act, to that of a lawful permanent resident.
        2. (ii) Change of nonimmigrant status; or
        3. (iii) Extension of stay.

    14. (5) Requirements for transportation lines. A transportation line bringing any alien to Guam or the CNMI pursuant to this section must:

        1. (i) Enter into a contract on CBP Form I-760, made by the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection on behalf of the government;
        2. (ii) Transport an alien who is a citizen or national and in possession of a valid unexpired ICAO compliant, machine readable passport of a country enumerated in paragraph (q)(2) of this section;

        3. (iii) Transport an alien only if the alien is in possession of a round trip ticket as defined in paragraph (q)(1)(iv) of this section bearing a confirmed departure date not exceeding forty-five days from the date of admission to Guam or the CNMI which the carrier will unconditionally honor when presented for return passage. This ticket must be:

           1. (A) Valid for a period of not less than one year,
           2. (B) Nonrefundable except in the country in which issued or in the country of the alien's nationality or residence, and
           3. (C) Issued by a carrier which has entered into an agreement described in paragraph (q)(5) of this section.
        4. (iv) On or after November 29, 2024, transport an alien who has received electronic travel authorization pursuant to paragraph (q)(9) of this section; prior to this date, transport an alien who has received electronic travel authorization pursuant to paragraph (q)(9) of this section or an alien in possession of a completed and signed Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information Form (CBP Form I-736), and
        5. (v) Transport an alien in possession of completed I-94, Arrival-Departure Record (CBP Form I-94) (see § 1.4).
    15. (6) [Reserved]
    16. (7) Maintenance of status—satisfactory departure. If an emergency prevents an alien admitted under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, as set forth in this paragraph (q), from departing from Guam or the CNMI within the alien's period of authorized stay, an immigration officer having jurisdiction over the place of the alien's temporary stay may, in the officer's discretion, grant a period of satisfactory departure not to exceed 15 days. If departure is accomplished during that period, the alien is to be regarded as having satisfactorily accomplished the visit without overstaying the allotted time.

    17. (8) Inadmissibility and Deportability—(i) Determinations of inadmissibility.

        1. (A) An alien who applies for admission under the provisions of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, who is determined by an immigration officer to be inadmissible to Guam or the CNMI under one or more of the grounds of inadmissibility listed in section 212 of the Act (other than for lack of a visa), or who is in possession of and presents fraudulent or counterfeit travel documents, will be refused admission into Guam or the CNMI and removed. Such refusal and removal shall be effected without referral of the alien to an immigration judge for further inquiry, examination, or hearing, except that an alien who presents himself or herself as an applicant for admission to Guam under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, who applies for asylum, withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the INA or withholding or deferral of removal under the regulations implementing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment must be issued a Form I-863, Notice of Referral to Immigration Judge, for a proceeding in accordance with 8 CFR 208.2(c)(1) and (2). The provisions of 8 CFR subpart 208 subpart A shall not apply to an alien present or arriving in the CNMI seeking to apply for asylum prior to January 1, 2030. No application for asylum may be filed pursuant to section 208 of the Act by an alien present or arriving in the CNMI prior to January 1, 2030; however, aliens physically present in the CNMI during the transition period who express a fear of persecution or torture only may establish eligibility for withholding of removal pursuant to INA 241(b)(3) or pursuant to the regulations implementing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
        2. (B) The removal of an alien under this section may be deferred if the alien is paroled into the custody of a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency for criminal prosecution or punishment. This section in no way diminishes the discretionary authority of the Secretary enumerated in section 212(d) of the Act.
        3. (C) Refusal of admission under this paragraph shall not constitute removal for purposes of the Act.

        4. (ii) Determination of deportability.

           1. (A) An alien who has been admitted to either Guam or the CNMI under the provisions of this section who is determined by an immigration officer to be deportable from either Guam or the CNMI under one or more of the grounds of deportability listed in section 237 of the Act, shall be removed from either Guam or the CNMI to the alien's country of nationality or last residence. Such removal will be determined by DHS authority that has jurisdiction over the place where the alien is found, and will be effected without referral of the alien to an immigration judge for a determination of deportability, except that an alien admitted to Guam under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program who applies for asylum or other form of protection from persecution or torture must be issued a Form I-863 for a proceeding in accordance with 8 CFR 208.2(c)(1) and (2). The provisions of 8 CFR part 208 subpart A shall not apply to an alien present or arriving in the CNMI seeking to apply for asylum prior to January 1, 2030. No application for asylum may be filed pursuant to section 208 of the INA by an alien present or arriving in the CNMI prior to January 1, 2030; however, aliens physically present or arriving in the CNMI prior to January 1, 2030, may apply for withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the Act and withholding and deferral of removal under the regulations implementing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
           2. (B) Removal by DHS under paragraph (q)(8)(ii)(A) of this section is equivalent in all respects and has the same consequences as removal after proceedings conducted under section 240 of the Act.
        5. (iii) Removal of inadmissible aliens who arrived by air or sea. Removal of an alien from Guam or the CNMI under this section may be effected using the return portion of the round trip passage presented by the alien at the time of entry to Guam and the CNMI. Such removal shall be on the first available means of transportation to the alien's point of embarkation to Guam or the CNMI. Nothing in this part absolves the carrier of the responsibility to remove any inadmissible or deportable alien at carrier expense, as provided in the carrier agreement.
    18. (9) Electronic Travel Authorization—(i) Travel authorization required. Each nonimmigrant alien intending to travel to Guam or the CNMI under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program on or after November 29, 2024, must, within the time specified in paragraph (q)(9)(ii) of this section, receive a travel authorization, which is a positive determination of eligibility to travel to the United States under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, from CBP. In order to receive a travel authorization, each nonimmigrant alien intending to travel to Guam or the CNMI under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program must provide the data elements set forth in paragraph (q)(9)(iii) of this section to CBP, in English, in the manner specified herein. Prior to this date, travelers must either receive an electronic travel authorization pursuant to this subparagraph or provide the required information via a completed and signed paper Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information Form (CBP Form I-736) upon arrival.
    19. (ii) Time. Each alien falling within the provisions of paragraph (q)(9)(i) of this section must receive a travel authorization prior to embarking on a carrier for travel to Guam or the CNMI.
    20. (iii) Required elements. CBP will collect such information as the Secretary deems necessary to issue a travel authorization, as reflected by the electronic Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information Form (Form I-736).
    21. (iv) Duration—(A) General rule. A travel authorization issued under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program will be valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance, unless the passport of the authorized alien will expire in less than two years, in which case the authorization will be valid until the date of expiration of the passport.
    22. (B) Exception. For travelers from countries or geographic areas which have not entered into agreements with the United States whereby their passports are recognized as valid for the return of the bearer to the country or geographic area of the foreign-issuing authority for a period of six months beyond the expiration date specified in the passport, a travel authorization issued under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program is not valid beyond the six months prior to the expiration date of the passport. Travelers from these countries or geographic areas whose passports will expire in six months or less will not receive a travel authorization.
    23. (C) Changes to the validity period. The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may increase or decrease the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program travel authorization validity period otherwise authorized by subparagraph (A) for a designated Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program country or geographic area. Notice of any change to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program travel authorization validity periods will be published in the Federal Register. The Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program website will be updated to reflect the specific Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program travel authorization validity period for each Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program country or geographic area.

    24. (v) New travel authorization required. A new travel authorization is required if any of the following occurs:

        1. (A) The alien is issued a new passport;
        2. (B) The alien's name changes;
        3. (C) The alien's gender changes;
        4. (D) The alien's country of citizenship changes; or
        5. (E) The circumstances underlying the alien's previous responses to any of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Information Form (Form I-736) questions requiring a “yes” or “no” response (eligibility questions) have changed.
    25. (vi) Limitations—(A) Current authorization period. A travel authorization under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program is a positive determination that an alien is eligible, and grants the alien permission, to travel to Guam or the CNMI under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and to apply for admission under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program during the period of time the travel authorization is valid. A travel authorization under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program is not a determination that the alien is admissible to Guam, the CNMI, or the United States. A determination of admissibility is made only after an applicant for admission is inspected by a CBP officer at a U.S. port of entry in Guam or the CNMI.
    26. (B) Not a determination of visa eligibility. A determination under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program that an alien is not eligible to travel to Guam or the CNMI under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program is not a determination that the alien is ineligible for a visa to travel to Guam, the CNMI, or the United States and does not preclude the alien from applying for a visa before a United States consular officer.
    27. (C) Revocation. A determination under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program that an alien is eligible to travel to Guam or the CNMI to apply for admission under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program may be revoked at the discretion of the Secretary.
    28. (10) Severability. The provisions of paragraphs (q) and (r) of this section are separate and severable from one another. If any provision is stayed or determined to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect.
18. (r) Aliens admissible under the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP)—(1) Description. In accordance with Public Law 110-229, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Departments of the Interior and State, may waive the visa requirement in the case of a nonimmigrant alien who seeks admission to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The requirements for the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver program are set forth in paragraph (q) of this section. Also in accordance with Public Law 110-229 and the process provided therein, the Secretary may add countries to the list of those whose nationals may obtain a visa waiver, with any special requirements the Secretary may impose. The CNMI Economic Vitality & Security Travel Authorization Program (EVS-TAP) is a restricted travel authorization sub-program of the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program that allows a nonimmigrant alien who is a national of the People's Republic of China (PRC) to be admitted to the CNMI only without a visa in specified circumstances. A visa is still required for a nonimmigrant alien who is a national of the PRC seeking to be admitted to Guam.

19. (2) Eligibility. To be admissible under the CNMI EVS-TAP, prior to embarking on a carrier for travel to the CNMI, the nonimmigrant alien must:

    1. (i) Be a national of the PRC;
    2. (ii) Be classifiable as a visitor for business or pleasure;
    3. (iii) Be solely entering and staying on the CNMI for a period not to exceed 14 days;
    4. (iv) Be in possession of a round trip ticket that is nonrefundable and nontransferable and bears a confirmed departure date not exceeding 14 days from the date of admission to the CNMI. “Round trip ticket” includes any return trip transportation ticket issued by a participating carrier, electronic ticket record, airline employee passes indicating return passage, individual vouchers for return passage, group vouchers for return passage for charter flights, or military travel orders which include military dependents for return to duty stations outside the United States on U.S. military flights;
    5. (v) Receive an electronic travel authorization from CBP pursuant to paragraph (r)(9) of this section;
    6. (vi) Be in possession of a completed and signed I-94 (see § 1.4), Arrival-Departure Record (CBP Form I-94);
    7. (vii) Be in possession of a valid unexpired ICAO compliant, machine readable passport issued by the PRC;
    8. (viii) Have not previously violated the terms of any prior admissions or parole;
    9. (ix) Waive any right to review or appeal an immigration officer's determination of admissibility at the port of entry into the CNMI; and
    10. (x) Waive any right to contest any action for deportation or removal, other than on the basis of: an application for withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the INA; withholding or deferral of removal under the regulations implementing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; or, after December 31, 2029, an application for asylum if permitted under section 208 of the Act.

20. (3) Suspension or Discontinuation of Program.

    1. (i) The Secretary may suspend the CNMI EVS-TAP for good cause including, but not limited to the following circumstances: (A) The admissions of visitors from the PRC have resulted in an unacceptable number of visitors from the PRC remaining unlawfully in the CNMI, unlawfully obtaining entry to other parts of the United States, or seeking withholding of removal or asylum; or (B) Visitors from the PRC pose a risk to law enforcement or security interests, including the enforcement of immigration laws of the CNMI or the United States.
    2. (ii) The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of State, may also discontinue the CNMI EVS-TAP based on the evaluation of all factors the Secretary deems relevant including, but not limited to, electronic travel authorization, procedures for reporting lost and stolen passports, repatriation of aliens, rates of refusal for nonimmigrant visitor visas, overstays, exit systems, and information exchange.

21. (4) Ineligibility due to admission under the CNMI EVS-TAP. Admission under this section renders an alien ineligible for:

    1. (i) Adjustment of status to that of a temporary resident or, except as provided by section 245(i) of the Act or as an immediate relative as defined in section 201(b) of the Act, to that of a lawful permanent resident.
    2. (ii) Change of nonimmigrant status; or
    3. (iii) Extension of stay.

22. (5) Requirements for transportation lines. A transportation line bringing any alien to the CNMI pursuant to this section must:

    1. (i) Enter into a contract on CBP Form I-760, made by the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on behalf of the government;
    2. (ii) Transport an alien only if the alien is a national of the PRC and is in possession of a valid unexpired ICAO compliant, machine readable passport issued by the PRC;

    3. (iii) Transport an alien only if the alien is in possession of a round trip ticket as defined in paragraph (r)(2)(iv) of this section bearing a confirmed departure date not exceeding 14 days from the date of admission to the CNMI which the carrier will unconditionally honor when presented for return passage. This ticket must be:

       1. (A) Valid for a period of not less than one year,
       2. (B) Nonrefundable except in the country in which issued or in the country of the alien's nationality or residence, and
       3. (C) Issued by a carrier which has entered into an agreement described in paragraph (r)(5) of this section.
    4. (iv) Transport an alien only if the alien has received electronic travel authorization from CBP pursuant to paragraph (r)(9) of this section.
23. (6) [Reserved]
24. (7) Maintenance of status—satisfactory departure. If an emergency prevents an alien admitted under the CNMI EVS-TAP, as set forth in this paragraph (r), from departing from the CNMI within the alien's period of authorized stay, an immigration officer having jurisdiction over the place of the alien's temporary stay may, in the officer's discretion, grant a period of satisfactory departure not to exceed 15 days. If departure is accomplished during that period, the alien is to be regarded as having satisfactorily accomplished the visit without overstaying the allotted time.

25. (8) Inadmissibility and Deportability—(i) Determinations of inadmissibility.

    1. (A) An alien who applies for admission under the provisions of the CNMI EVS-TAP, who is determined by an immigration officer to be inadmissible to the CNMI under one or more of the grounds of inadmissibility listed in section 212 of the Act (other than for lack of a visa), or who is in possession of and presents fraudulent or counterfeit travel documents, will be refused admission into the CNMI and removed. Such refusal and removal shall be effected without referral of the alien to an immigration judge for further inquiry, examination, or hearing. The provisions of 8 CFR subpart 208 subpart A shall not apply to an alien present or arriving in the CNMI seeking to apply for asylum prior to January 1, 2030. No application for asylum may be filed pursuant to section 208 of the Act by an alien present or arriving in the CNMI prior to January 1, 2030; however, aliens physically present in the CNMI during the transition period who express a fear of persecution or torture only may establish eligibility for withholding of removal pursuant to INA 241(b)(3) or pursuant to the regulations implementing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
    2. (B) The removal of an alien under this section may be deferred if the alien is paroled into the custody of a Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency for criminal prosecution or punishment. This section in no way diminishes the discretionary authority of the Secretary enumerated in section 212(d) of the Act.
    3. (C) Refusal of admission under this paragraph shall not constitute removal for purposes of the Act.

    4. (ii) Determination of deportability.

       1. (A) An alien who has been admitted to the CNMI under the provisions of this section who is determined by an immigration officer to be deportable from the CNMI under one or more of the grounds of deportability listed in section 237 of the Act, shall be removed from the CNMI to the alien's country of nationality or last residence. Such removal will be determined by DHS authority that has jurisdiction over the place where the alien is found, and will be effected without referral of the alien to an immigration judge for a determination of deportability. The provisions of 8 CFR part 208 subpart A shall not apply to an alien present or arriving in the CNMI seeking to apply for asylum prior to January 1, 2030. No application for asylum may be filed pursuant to section 208 of the INA by an alien present or arriving in the CNMI prior to January 1, 2030; however, aliens physically present or arriving in the CNMI prior to January 1, 2030, may apply for withholding of removal under section 241(b)(3) of the Act and withholding and deferral of removal under the regulations implementing Article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
       2. (B) Removal by DHS under paragraph (r)(8)(ii)(A) of this section is equivalent in all respects and has the same consequences as removal after proceedings conducted under section 240 of the Act.
    5. (iii) Removal of inadmissible aliens who arrived by air or sea. Removal of an alien from the CNMI under this section may be effected using the return portion of the round trip passage presented by the alien at the time of entry to the CNMI. Such removal shall be on the first available means of transportation to the alien's point of embarkation to the CNMI. Nothing in this part absolves the carrier of the responsibility to remove any inadmissible or deportable alien at carrier expense, as provided in the carrier agreement.
26. (9) Electronic Travel Authorization—(i) Travel authorization required. Each nonimmigrant alien intending to travel to the CNMI under the CNMI EVS-TAP as described in paragraph (r)(1) of this section must, within the time specified in paragraph (r)(9)(ii) of this section, receive a travel authorization from CBP, which is a positive determination of eligibility to travel to the United States under the CNMI EVS-TAP. In order to receive a travel authorization, each nonimmigrant alien intending to travel to the CNMI under the CNMI EVS-TAP must provide the information set forth in paragraph (r)(9)(iii) of this section electronically to CBP, in English, in the manner specified herein.
27. (ii) Time. Each alien falling within the provisions of paragraph (r)(9)(i) of this section must receive a travel authorization prior to embarking on a carrier for travel to the CNMI.
28. (iii) Required elements. CBP will collect such information as the Secretary deems necessary to issue a travel authorization, as reflected by the electronic CNMI EVS-TAP application questions.
29. (iv) Duration—(A) General rule. A travel authorization issued under the CNMI EVS-TAP will be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance.
30. (B) Exceptions. If the passport of the authorized alien will expire in less than one year but greater than six months, the authorization will be valid until six months prior to the expiration date of the passport. Travelers whose passports will expire in six months or less will not receive a travel authorization.
31. (C) Changes to the validity period. The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may increase or decrease the CNMI EVS-TAP travel authorization validity period otherwise authorized by paragraph (r)(9)(iv)(A) of this section. Notice of any change to the CNMI EVS-TAP travel authorization validity period will be published in the Federal Register. The CNMI EVS-TAP website will be updated to reflect the travel authorization validity period.

32. (v) New travel authorization required. A new travel authorization is required if any of the following occurs:

    1. (A) The alien is issued a new passport;
    2. (B) The alien's name changes;
    3. (C) The alien's gender changes;
    4. (D) The alien's country of citizenship changes; or
    5. (E) The circumstances underlying the alien's previous responses to any of the CNMI EVS-TAP questions requiring a “yes” or “no” response (eligibility questions) have changed.
33. (vi) Limitations—(A) Current authorization period. A travel authorization under the CNMI EVS-TAP is a positive determination that an alien is eligible, and grants the alien permission, to travel to the CNMI under the CNMI EVS-TAP and to apply for admission under the CNMI EVS-TAP during the period of time the travel authorization is valid. A travel authorization under the CNMI EVS-TAP is not a determination that the alien is admissible to the CNMI. A determination of admissibility is made only after an applicant for admission is inspected by a CBP officer at a U.S. port of entry in the CNMI.
34. (B) Not a determination of visa eligibility. A determination under the CNMI EVS-TAP that an alien is not eligible to travel to the CNMI under the CNMI EVS-TAP is not a determination that the alien is ineligible for a visa to travel to the CNMI and does not preclude the alien from applying for a visa before a United States consular officer.
35. (C) Revocation. A determination under the CNMI EVS-TAP that an alien is eligible to travel to the CNMI to apply for admission under the CNMI EVS-TAP may be revoked at the discretion of the Secretary.
36. (10) Severability. The provisions of paragraphs (q) and (r) of this section are separate and severable from one another. If any provision is stayed or determined to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect.

37. (11) Implementation date. The requirements of this paragraph will take effect 45 days after the publication by the Secretary of notification in the Federal Register announcing the implementation of CNMI EVS-TAP.

    Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 212.1, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

[26 FR 12066, Dec. 16, 1961]