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Northern Mariana Islands visas

Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa

Eligible visitors can stay for up to 45 days with the local online travel permit, or up to 90 days with ESTA (a U.S. online travel permit). A U.S. visitor visa is another route.

Ways to get a Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa

  1. G-CNMI ETA (local online travel permit)

    eTA needed

    Eligible nationals of the 12 listed countries can visit under the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program for tourism or business.

    Stay
    Up to 45 days.
    Valid for
    Up to two years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first. For Brunei and Nauru, the passport-based limit is six months before expiry.
    Entries
    Multiple entries.
    Fee
    Free.
    1. Obtain G-CNMI ETA before travel.
    2. Bring your machine-readable passport and nonrefundable return ticket.
    3. Request admission on arrival.

  2. ESTA (U.S. online travel permit)

    eTA needed

    Eligible nationals of the 42 U.S. Visa Waiver Program countries can apply with a biometric passport.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days. This includes time in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or Caribbean islands after arrival through the United States.
    Valid for
    Up to two years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first.
    Entries
    Multiple entries.
    Fee
    US$10.62 to apply, plus US$30 if approved: US$40.62 total.
    Processing
    Apply at least 72 hours before departure. An exact processing time is not stated.
    1. Check that your nationality, passport and travel history qualify.
    2. Apply for ESTA before travel, preferably at least 72 hours before departure.
    3. Pay the application fee and the additional fee if approved.
    4. Travel by a participating commercial airline or sea carrier.

  3. Visa-free visits for Canadian and Bermudian travellers

    No visa needed

    Canadian citizens and qualifying British Overseas Territories citizens of Bermuda can visit without a visa under most circumstances.

    Stay
    Up to 180 days for qualifying Bermudian travellers. A Canadian stay limit is not stated.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  4. Conditional visa-free visits from nearby territories

    No visa needed

    Qualifying nationals of the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands can travel without a visa if they meet the route and document rules.

    Stay
    Short business or pleasure visits are specified for Turks and Caicos Islands travellers. Other stay limits are not stated.
    Entries
    The Cayman Islands waiver permits one entry.
    Fee
    The Cayman Islands waiver costs 25 Cayman Islands dollars. Other fees are not stated.
    1. Check the route and document requirements for your territory.
    2. Obtain the required police certificate and, for the Cayman Islands, a visa waiver.
    3. Follow the required travel route and present your documents for admission.

  5. Visa-free entry under the Compacts of Free Association

    No visa needed

    Qualifying citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau can enter, reside, study and work without a visa.

    Stay
    Indefinite.

    Passports that qualify (3)

  6. B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers seeking a temporary holiday or tourism visit who qualify for a U.S. visitor visa.

    Stay
    The border officer records the permitted stay on Form I-94, the official arrival and departure record.
    Fee
    US$185 application fee. A nationality-based issuance fee may also apply.
    1. Show that your trip has a specific purpose and a limited duration.
    2. Show that you have a home and other ties outside the United States that support your return.
    3. Pay the application fee and attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
    4. If granted a visa, travel and request admission at the border.

Who needs it

Tourists who do not qualify for a visa exemption need a U.S. visitor visa.

Who doesn't

Eligible nationals of 12 countries can use the local visa waiver programme. Other exemptions include the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and certain neighbouring jurisdictions.

How to apply

  1. Check that you qualify for the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
  2. Obtain G-CNMI ETA (the local online travel permit) before travel.
  3. Travel with a machine-readable passport and a nonrefundable return ticket.
  4. Request admission at the border.

What to bring

  • Machine-readable passport.
  • G-CNMI ETA approval.
  • Nonrefundable return ticket.

Good to know

  • The local visa waiver allows tourism or business visits only.
  • Do not travel to other parts of the United States under the local visa waiver.
  • Follow the stay period granted at the border.
  • A visa or travel permit does not guarantee admission. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer makes the final decision.
  • Travel between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands requires a full immigration inspection. Visitors are also inspected when departing either territory.
  • The Northern Mariana Islands visa waiver for nationals of China was suspended on October 31, 2026, local time.
  • New visitor visas are subject to nationality-based restrictions, with limited exceptions.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Northern Mariana Islands?

Tourists who do not qualify for a visa exemption need a U.S. visitor visa. Eligible nationals of 12 countries can use the local visa waiver programme. Other exemptions include the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and certain neighbouring jurisdictions.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Northern Mariana Islands?

There are 6 options: G-CNMI ETA (local online travel permit) (an online travel permit); ESTA (U.S. online travel permit) (an online travel permit); Visa-free visits for Canadian and Bermudian travellers (no visa at all); Conditional visa-free visits from nearby territories (no visa at all); Visa-free entry under the Compacts of Free Association (no visa at all); B-2 or B-1/B-2 visitor visa (a visa from an embassy).

Who can go to Northern Mariana Islands without a tourist visa?

Canadian citizens and qualifying British Overseas Territories citizens of Bermuda can visit without a visa under most circumstances. Qualifying nationals of the Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands can travel without a visa if they meet the route and document rules. Qualifying citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau can enter, reside, study and work without a visa.

Can I apply online for Northern Mariana Islands?

Yes: G-CNMI ETA (local online travel permit) and ESTA (U.S. online travel permit). Eligible nationals of the 12 listed countries can visit under the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program for tourism or business.

How long can I stay on a Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa?

Up to 45 days under the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program.

How much does a Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa cost?

The local online permit is free.

How long is a Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa valid?

The local online permit lasts up to two years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first. For Brunei and Nauru, it ends six months before passport expiry. Entries: Multiple entries with a valid local online permit..

What documents do I need for a Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa?

Machine-readable passport.; G-CNMI ETA approval.; Nonrefundable return ticket..

How do I apply for a Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa?

1. 1. Check that you qualify for the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program. 2. 2. Obtain G-CNMI ETA (the local online travel permit) before travel. 3. 3. Travel with a machine-readable passport and a nonrefundable return ticket. 4. 4. Request admission at the border.

What rules do I have to follow on a Northern Mariana Islands tourist visa?

The local visa waiver allows tourism or business visits only. Do not travel to other parts of the United States under the local visa waiver. Follow the stay period granted at the border.

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