Guam, Northern Mariana Islands seek visa-free travel for Filipinos

6:33 am today

CNMI's David Apatang and Guam's Lou Leon Guerrero

Photo: Facebook / CNMI Office of the Governor & Lt. Governor / RNZ Pacific / Eleisha Foon

The governors of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are calling on the United States government to add the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Programme.

Guam governor Lou Leon Guerrero and CNMI governor David Apatang say the move would strengthen regional ties, boost tourism, and improve air links across the western Pacific.

The request comes as Philippine Airlines (PAL) prepares to resume flights between Manila and Saipan this month following disruptions caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

Supporters of the proposal say easier travel requirements could help sustain the route while strengthening existing links between the Philippines, Guam and the Northern Marianas.

PAL already operates regular flights between Manila and Guam.

In a joint letter to US Homeland Security secretary Markwayne Mullin and Interior secretary Doug Burgum, Leon Guerrero and Apatang asked federal officials to include the Philippines among countries eligible for visa-free travel to the two US territories.

The two governors said the Philippines' inclusion would reinforce the United States' partnership with a key Indo-Pacific ally while encouraging lawful travel, commercial engagement and people-to-people exchanges.

"Expanding the Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program to include the Philippines would help diversify visitor markets, support economic stability, and strengthen broader commercial activity in both Guam and the CNMI," the letter said.

The pair also argued that adding the Philippines to the programme would increase passenger demand and encourage additional commercial air services connecting the Philippines, Guam and the CNMI.

The governors noted that both island jurisdictions continue to face transport and economic challenges because of their geographic isolation, while still recovering from recent disruptions to tourism and travel.

The proposal would apply only to travel within Guam and the CNMI and would not change visa requirements for travel to the continental United States, according to the letter.

The governors said any expansion would continue to operate under existing security, screening and immigration compliance requirements and could include additional safeguards if requested by federal authorities.