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Bill eyes leniency on holders of U.S. visa
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Posted on Jan 12 2001
A bill has proposed a major change in the local immigration law to allow any visitor with a U.S. visa to enter the CNMI without going through the process of meeting the requirements set by the Department of Labor and Immigration.
The House of Representatives set into motion what it described as appropriate measure to streamline the processing of visitors and reduce administrative costs, while helping the local economy attract more tourists.
Sponsored by Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, HB 12-253 now heads to the Senate for action after the lower house overwhelmingly approved the proposal at the start of its regular session yesterday.
According to the House Commerce and Tourism Committee that reviewed the legislation, this “common sense” amendment will make the government “more responsive” to the needs of our people.
Under the proposal, any person possessing a valid tourist visa for entry into the United States shall be eligible for admittance into the Northern Marianas under the same terms and conditions.
At present, any visitor to the islands, except Japanese, Korean, U.S. citizens and residents as well as FAS nationals, is required to apply for a visa to enter the CNMI. Requirements include financial capability of the applicant to embark on such a trip.
The Commonwealth controls its own immigration and is not covered by the federal immigration laws, unlike the neighboring island of Guam.
While they have been stepping up efforts to entice other tourists to travel to the CNMI aside from Japanese and Korean, island leaders have felt the strict immigration requirements here have discouraged potential markets such as the Philippines and mainland China. (Benhur C. Saladores)
