The US Department of Homeland Security has rescinded discretionary parole authority for Russian nationals entering the Northern Marianas.
Photo: 123rf
This means Russians seeking to enter the CNMI will soon be required to go through the process of first securing a US visa before they can enter the territory.
Starting in October Russian nationals will be unable to enter both Guam or the CNMI under the current discretionary parole authority.
That authority allows Russians to stay in either territory for a period of up to 45 days.
In fiscal year 2016, the Marianas Visitors Authority noted over 1,600 Russian visitors while nearly 2,000 Russians entered the CNMI the following year.
Chinese tourists will still be able to enter the CNMI under the discretionary parole authority.