House bill proposes the Philippines' inclusion in Guam-CNMI visa waiver program
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds has proposed including the Philippines in the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program and expanding eligibility to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Mongolia.
“The Philippines has a special relationship with the Marianas, and there is tremendous opportunity to strengthen that relationship through greater travel and tourism,” King-Hinds said following her introduction of HR 10341, titled
the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026.
“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," she added.
Guam Del. James Moylan, co-sponsor of the bill, said expanding the program "is about creating new opportunities for Guam’s economy and strengthening our connections throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The legislation builds on the work of the Guam-CNMI-Philippines Working Group, an effort that has brought together officials and stakeholders from Guam, the CNMI, the Philippines and the federal government to advance the case for including the Philippines in the visa waiver program.
King-Hinds said including the Philippines in 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.
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.
Under the program, eligible foreign nationals may travel to Guam and the CNMI for business or tourism for up to 45 days without obtaining a traditional U.S. visa. The program does not authorize onward travel to other parts of
the United States.
Guam Sen. 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," he said.
Joe C. Guerrero, Co-Chair of the CNMI Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors and the governor’s representative to the 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," King Hinds said.
The bill's proponents said 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.
“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.”
Moylan said the proposed measure would also change the process for suspending a country from the program.
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Before suspension could take effect, the Department of Homeland
Security would be required to make a written determination based on specific concerns, consult with federal officials and the governors of Guam and the CNMI, consider alternative safeguards, and assess the potential economic and fiscal effects on the islands.
Congressional candidate Alicia Garrido Limtiaco welcomed the introduction of the Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 and called for an immediate, public strategy to move the legislation from introduction to enactment.
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“This bill reflects substantial work by leaders and stakeholders across the region. They deserve credit for bringing the proposal this far; and they deserve a congressional strategy capable of carrying it across the finish line,” Limtiaco said.
“Introducing the bill was the first of many steps. Now Congressman Moylan must be honest with the people of Guam and tell us how he intends to see this through. He must use his relationships in the House and Senate, his party alignment, and the influence of his office to make this proposal a reality. Our people deserve nothing less.”
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