Is a visa needed to travel to Guam? : ESTA Online Center

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Is a Visa Needed to Travel to Guam?

Is a visa needed to travel to Guam?

Under the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Visa Waiver Program (Guam-CNMI VWP), no visa is required for business or sightseeing visits up to 45 days.This program does not require prior online application using ESTA or a similar program. All you need to do is to fill out the documents distributed in flight (I-736 and I-94).

Using ESTA

Travelers who have obtained ESTA authorization are excused from filling out the above forms (I-736 and I-94). This results in simplified immigration screening. Since there is no need to fill out the immigration card, there are no worries about filling it out incorrectly. In addition, special immigration lanes have been established since April 2016, which are exclusively for travelers obtaining ESTA authorization. While ESTA authorization is not absolutely required for travel to Guam, and as such related prior preparations are not necessary, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends ESTA for travelers to Guam to facilitate smooth immigration procedures.In addition, travelers who obtain ESTA are eligible for staying in Guam for up to 90 days instead of the usual 45 days.
For more information on ESTA

Countries participating in the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Visa Waiver Program (Guam-CNMI VWP)

  • Australia
  • Brunei
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • Nauru
  • New Zealand
  • Papua New Guinea
  • South Korea
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom

Note:
Holders of Taiwan passports may travel to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands only on direct flights from Taiwan, with no connections. They must carry their national ID cards and Taiwan passports also. However, they may make connections in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands even if they do not satisfy these requirements.

Conditions for use of the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Visa Waiver Program (Guam-CNMI VWP)

  • Travelers must be entering Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands for stays of no longer than 45 days.
  • Travelers must have nontransferable round-trip air tickets for which it can be confirmed that their departure dates will be no later than 45 days after entry to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • They must posses signed I-736 and I-94 forms on which all items have been filled out.
  • They must possess valid, machine-readable passports issued by the relevant countries, compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.
  • They must not have violated the conditions for entry in the past.

Note:
Prior entry includes entry under the Guam-Northern Marianas Visa Waiver Program, previous Guam visa waiver programs, Article 217 (a) of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act under ordinary visa waiver programs, or any other restrictions applying to entry under immigrant or nonimmigrant visas.

Conditions for use of the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Visa Waiver Program (Guam-CNMI VWP)

What is Required to Enter Guam

1. A valid passport

2. A round-trip air or sea ticket, or a ticket from Guam to another country

3. Immigration documents (Also applies to transfers from Guam to other countries)

If you do not have ESTA authorization Immigration cards (I-736 and I-94), Customs and Quarantine declaration
If you have ESTA authorization / Customs and Quarantine declaration Customs and Quarantine declaration
Since ESTA is administered on a computer system,it is not necessary to submit a copy of your authorization information.
If you have a visa Immigration card (I-94 only), Customs and Quarantine declaration

Note:
Immigration cards and customs and quarantine declarations will be distributed during your flight. Fill them out with a blue or black ball-point pen, using the Roman alphabet.

Documents required when a minor travels

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notification stating that when a minor under 18 years of age travelers alone or with only one parent, he or she must have a written consent to travel (in English) from his or her parents or a parent who is not traveling along with him or her.This is intended to counter cases such as abduction of children by either parent during custody disputes and international child abductions.However, it is not required to submit this written consent to travel voluntarily during immigration screening. Submit it only if requested by an immigration officer.No cases have been reported of refusal of entry to minors in the past.

Travel requiring written consent from parents or guardians (grandparents)

  • Travel by an unaccompanied minor under 18 years of age
  • Travel with grandparents unaccompanied by parents
  • Travel by a child with grandparents, aunt or uncle, friends, etc
  • Educational travel such as school excursions or training trips

Note:
There are no restrictions regarding the format of written consent to travel, as long as the relevant requirements are satisfied.

Cases in which official documents shown family relations (such as a family register) are required in addition to written consent.

  • When spouses have different family names
  • In cases of international marriage in which parents have different family names
  • When the mother or father is deceased
  • When traveling with the father or the mother after divorce of the parents

Note:
While official documents need to be in English, it is acceptable to translate them yourself and either attach the translations or write them directly on copies of the originals.

U.S. CBP recommends applying for ESTA when entering Guam

Nationals of countries participating in the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Visa Waiver Program (Guam-CNMI VWP) do not need visas to travel to Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 45 days for sightseeing or business purposes.
However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends applying for ESTA when traveling to Guam, since doing so simplifies and speeds up the immigration screening process after arrival at Guam International Airport.
Applying for ESTA in advance not only facilitates smoother immigration procedures upon arrival but also eliminates the need to fill out documents on board the airplane, enabling travelers to relax from departure to arrival. It also greatly shortens waiting time after arrival at Guam International Airport, so you can enjoy a stress-free visit to Guam.
Applying for ESTA is recommended when visiting Guam, to enable a comfortable trip with peace of mind.

Advantages of applying for ESTA to enter Guam

Advantages of applying for ESTA to enter Guam

You will not need to fill out two forms

When traveling to Guam and the U.S., travelers are required to fill out two forms, I-94 and I-736. However, if you apply for and obtain ESTA in advance, you are excused from filling them out. Applying for ESTA is recommended especially for those who wish to relax during their flight without worrying about filling out forms.

Stress-free immigration procedures using the ESTA lanes

Guam International Airport offers special immigration lanes exclusively for travelers who have applied for ESTA in advance. Although these ESTA lanes had been removed temporarily, with the increase in numbers of travelers to Guam they returned in April 2016. While considerable waiting time can be expected for immigration procedures at times such as the end of the year and the New Year’s holidays or during summer vacation, when numbers of travelers increase, travelers who have applied for ESTA can use preferential lanes, making it possible to complete immigration procedures swiftly and free from stress.

You can stay in Guam for up to 90 days

Travelers who are nationals of countries participating in the visa waiver program (Guam-CNMI VWP) may stay in Guam for up to 45 days without visas. Furthermore, those who apply for ESTA may stay in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) for up to 90 days. Travelers who apply for ESTA are eligible for various types of special treatment when traveling to Guam for sightseeing or business purposes, as they are considered to be cooperative in immigration procedures.

Immigration notice from Guam customs

The government of Guam restricts items that foreign nationals may bring into Guam in their baggage or belongings. Travelers are requested to understand the information below to ensure that they can have an enjoyable visit.

Duty-free limits for entry to Guam (adults only)

  • Alcoholic beverages: up to approx. 3700 ml
  • Cigars, cigarettes: up to five cartons or 1000 units

A declaration must be submitted when bringing more than $10,000 in cash or traveler’s checks into Guam. Also, hazardous materials and similar items are prohibited.

Drugs

If bringing prescription drugs into Guam to treat an illness or other condition, you must have proof of the reason why such drugs are necessary. Preparing a drug certificate in English is recommended.
In most cases, travelers are permitted to bring such drugs with them through immigration if the volume they have is appropriate to the number of days they plan to stay. However, screening of drugs is growing increasingly strict for purposes such as to prevent terrorism. Particular care is required, because seizure of drugs during baggage inspection at Guam International Airport could lead to considerable time requirements for hearings and other procedures.
Since it is hard for airport staff to tell what kind of drugs a traveler is carrying from external appearances alone in many cases, it is recommended to prepare and carry documentation certifying that your drugs are not illicit or harmful drugs. Check with Guam customs for details.

Prohibited items (partial excerpts)

Some of the items that may not be brought into Guam are listed below.

  • Items with mud on them or vegetables, fruits, and plants with roots or leaves attached
  • Poultry, pork, or beef, including processed foods thereof
  • All eggs and dairy products (powdered milk only may be brought in, if it is in an unopened container)

Access from Guam International Airport

As of January 2024, no public bus services provided access from Guam International Airport. Accordingly, travelers must leave the airport by rental car or taxi. It takes about 15 minutes by car from the airport to the central district of the Tumon-Hagatna area.

Guam International Airport’s adoption of automated passport control (APC)

Automated Passport Control (APC) refers to the kiosks used in immigration screening. Guam International Airport adopted eight such kiosks in October 2016, and they continue to operate smoothly. The APC kiosks are available only to travelers who have applied for ESTA in the past and been issued travel authorization. The APC kiosks also are available to those who have travelled to the U.S., including Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan, during the term of validity of their ESTA authorization. If you have applied for and obtained ESTA in advance, proceed to an APC kiosk prior to lining up for immigration screening once you arrive at Guam International Airport. By following the instructions on the APC screen to take an identification photograph, record your fingerprints, and scan your passport, you can greatly shorten the time that immigration screening takes and improve the efficiency of immigration procedures. While various airports in the U.S. have adopted APC kiosks proactively, Guam International Airport was the first airport in a U.S. territory to do so. Automation of part of the immigration screening process has increased the convenience and speed of screening, and it also has greatly shortened the time required, by splitting the process into two steps. Adoption of APC kiosks has resulted in benefits to both travelers and immigration agents, for example by relieving congestion at immigration and helping those making connections to make it to their next flights on time.

Adoption of automated passport control (APC) terminals results in the following four main advantages.

  • They require only about one-half the space of traditional immigration booths
  • They make it possible to screen four travelers in the time it had taken to screen one before
  • Travelers using APC are able to complete immigration screening about 90% faster than before
  • Even travelers not using APC are able to complete immigration screening about 30% faster than before

Guam International Airport’s ESTA lanes have continued to operate smoothly since adopting APC. However, please note that some congestion can be expected during peak periods such as the end of the year and the New Year’s holidays and during summer vacation. If traveling to Guam with ESTA authorization, use of APC is recommended as a way of completing immigration procedures more smoothly.

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UPDATE : 2024/02/16