Establishing U.S. Ports of Entry in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Implementing the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program: Interim Final Rule

Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the delayed transition to full application of the U.S. immigration provisions of Title VII of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (CNRA) until November 28, 2009. To effectuate this change, Customs and Border Protection plans to issue a technical amendment to the Guam-CNMI interim final rule published on January 16, 2009 and discussed below.

This interim final rule establishes the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Visa Waiver Program, which replaces the current Guam Visa Waiver Program.

The revised Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program allows visa-free entry for nonimmigrant visitors from eligible countries to Guam and the CNMI for business or leisure travel, as well as extends visiting time from 15 to 45 days.

In addition, this rule establishes six ports of entry in the CNMI in order to administer and enforce the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and to allow for immigration inspections in the CNMI, including arrival and departure controls, under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

• Read the Interim Final Rule 

Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective January 16, 2009.

Implementation Date: Beginning November 28, 2009, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin operation of this program and required compliance with this interim final rule will begin. The existing Guam Visa Waiver Program remains in effect for travel to Guam until the start of the transition period.

Comment Period

The comment period on this rule closed on March 17, 2009. View the rule and posted comments on  http://www.regulations.gov. Reference Docket # USCBP-2009-0001.