King-Hinds Introduces Marianas Tourism Advancement Act to Add Philippines, Expand Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP) introduced HR 10341, the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026, legislation that would add the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program and expand eligibility to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia.

Congressman James Moylan (R-GU) is an original cosponsor of the legislation.

The proposed inclusion of the Philippines builds on the long-standing ties between the Marianas and the Philippines. Families, businesses, and communities across the region remain closely connected, and greater travel between the Philippines and the Marianas would support tourism, regional air service, family connections, and economic growth.

"The Philippines has a special relationship with the Marianas, and there is tremendous opportunity to strengthen that relationship through greater travel and tourism," said Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds. "Including the Philippines in the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would make it easier for families to stay connected, create new opportunities for our tourism industry, support air service, and deepen the ties between our islands."

"Expanding the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program is about creating new opportunities for Guam's economy and strengthening our connections throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines, in particular, shares deep family, cultural, and economic ties with our island, and making travel easier has the potential to bring more visitors, support our businesses, and strengthen regional air service. I'm proud to join Congresswoman King-Hinds as an original cosponsor of this legislation and to continue the work being done by Senator Jesse Lujan and the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group to move this effort forward responsibly while maintaining the safeguards necessary to protect our borders and national security," said Congressman James Moylan.

"I appreciate Congressman Moylan for joining this effort and helping us bring this proposal forward in Congress," King-Hinds said. "I also want to recognize Senator Jesse Lujan and the members of the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group for the work they have done to build support for including the Philippines in the program. Their efforts brought Guam, the CNMI, the Philippines, and federal partners together to examine tourism, air service, security, and the safeguards necessary to move this effort forward."

Guam Senator Jesse Lujan, who has helped lead the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group effort, welcomed the legislation.

"This legislation shows what can happen when Guam, the CNMI, the Philippines, and our federal partners work together toward a common goal. I thank Congresswoman King-Hinds for carrying this effort forward in Congress. Adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would strengthen tourism, deepen regional ties, and create new economic opportunities for our island."

Joe C. Guerrero, Co-Chair of the CNMI Governor's Council of Economic Advisors and the Governor's representative to the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group, emphasized the economic opportunities created by the legislation.

"From an economic standpoint, this legislation is exactly the tool the Marianas needs. The Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia collectively represent tens of millions of international departures annually, hailing from some of the fastest-growing outbound tourism markets in the world. Adding these countries to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program would drive visitor arrivals, expand air service, and generate new, much-needed revenue for our businesses and government. This legislation could launch the economic revival of the Northern Marianas and secure the long-term sustainability of our tourism industry. What our islands need is a hand-up, not a hand-out, and this bill delivers exactly that. Just as important, including the Philippines recognizes the deep ancestral and family ties between our people, connections that have shaped our islands for generations."

The Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group has brought together officials and stakeholders from Guam, the CNMI, the Philippines, and the federal government to develop the case for Philippine inclusion in the program. The effort has included discussions on traveler vetting and data sharing, passport and regulatory requirements, tourism and economic impacts, regional air service, and other safeguards needed to support expanded lawful travel.

Beyond the Philippines, the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act would add Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program, opening additional visitor markets for the CNMI and Guam and creating new opportunities to strengthen tourism and regional air connectivity.

The legislation also establishes additional safeguards and transparency requirements governing any future suspension of a participating country.

Under the bill, the Secretary of Homeland Security could suspend a country's participation only after making a written determination, based on specific and articulable facts, that continued admission presents identified immigration, law enforcement, public safety, or national security concerns.

Before a suspension takes effect, DHS would be required to assess the reasonably foreseeable economic and fiscal effects on the CNMI and Guam, including impacts on visitor arrivals, air service, employment, business activity, and government revenues. DHS would also be required to consult with the Secretaries of the Interior, State, and Commerce and the Governors of the CNMI and Guam, and consider whether additional safeguards, including bonding requirements, limits on length of stay, enhanced information sharing, or other country-specific measures, could address the identified concerns without suspending a country from the program.

"Tourism is the lifeblood of our islands, and rebuilding it requires us to look throughout the Indo-Pacific for opportunities to reconnect the Marianas with the region," King-Hinds said. "This legislation gives us additional tools to grow our visitor economy while maintaining the safeguards necessary to protect our islands and our nation."

About the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program

The Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program allows eligible foreign nationals to travel to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam for short-term business or tourism without obtaining a traditional U.S. visa. Travelers admitted under the program may remain in the CNMI and Guam for up to 45 days. Admission under the program does not authorize onward travel to other parts of the United States.

The program currently includes eligible nationals of Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Travelers must meet applicable passport and admissibility requirements and obtain the required Guam-CNMI Electronic Travel Authorization before travel.