Federal approvals resume for EVS-TAP

07/17/2025 - Multiple sources confirmed to Marianas Press that the Economic Vitality and Security Travel Authorization Program, or EVS-TAP, has resumed approving visa requests as of yesterday.

“This is a critical and welcomed development. Now that federal approvals have resumed, we are cautiously optimistic about the program's potential to support our visitor economy in a meaningful way. At the same time, MVA is actively working to gather additional information and insights to ensure that this progress is sustainable and that the system remains reliable in the long term,” Jamika Taijeron, Managing Director of the Marianas Visitors Authority, told Marianas Press.

Several leaders have expressed concern over the past few months about the delayed determination that has impacted tourist arrivals from China. 

As previously reported, continued disruptions with EVS-TAP were cited as the cause of Hong Kong Airlines’ extended suspension of its Saipan route. 

This is a developing story.