27 Nov 2008

CNMI fails to get visa waiver extensions for Chinese and Russians

6:43 pm on 27 November 2008

Washington has rejected a request from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas to grant tourists from China and Russia visa waivers.

This comes as the CNMI 's immigration system is to come under the United States Government next year.

The Saipan Tribune says according to the US Department of Homeland Security visitors from China and Russia cannot seek admission under the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program due to security concerns.

Currently, tourists from Russia and China have access to the CNMI without a visa.

The Chinese and Russian tourist markets are estimated to contribute nearly 200 million US dollars to the local economy a year.