H.R. 10341: Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026

This bill would change the visa waiver program that applies to Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

What it would do

Under current law, certain foreign nationals can visit Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands without getting a visa first, if they meet the program’s rules. This bill would:

• Add more countries to the list of countries whose citizens can use the Guam/Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver program. The countries named are:

  • India

  • The Philippines

  • Vietnam

  • Thailand

  • Indonesia

  • Mongolia

• Give the Homeland Security Secretary more detailed rules for suspending a country’s participation in the program. A suspension could happen only if the Secretary makes a written finding, based on specific facts, that allowing nationals of that country in has caused, or is likely to cause, certain problems such as:

  • too much unlawful presence in Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands,

  • unlawful entry into other parts of the United States,

  • too many asylum or withholding of removal claims, or

  • a serious threat to safety, security, law enforcement, or public welfare.

• Require consultation before a suspension with the Secretaries of the Interior, State, and Commerce, plus the governors of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

• Require an economic review before suspension, looking at likely effects on tourism, flights, jobs, business activity, and government revenue in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

• Require notice to Congress at least 60 days before a planned suspension takes effect, along with the supporting determination, consultation summary, possible alternatives considered, and the economic review.

• Allow emergency suspension to take effect immediately if Homeland Security says there is an imminent and substantial threat to national security or public safety. That emergency suspension would expire after 60 days unless the normal required steps are completed.

• Require periodic review of any suspension after 180 days and then every year, and end the suspension if it is no longer needed or if the issue can be handled with other safeguards.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would likely make it easier for people from the listed countries to travel to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa, while also setting a more formal process for the government to pause that privilege if problems arise.

Relevant Companies

None found.