Guam Travel Requirements 2026: G-CNMI ETA & Customs

Guam: The ultimate stress-free island getaway? ✈️

I honestly thought planning a trip to Guam would be a breeze—just book the flights, secure a resort, and pack my swimsuit. But as I was double-checking my travel checklist, I hit a sudden realization... wait, what? 😮

It turns out you have to apply for an electronic travel authorization beforehand!

And even the customs declaration has gone completely digital now.

Maybe I haven't traveled internationally enough lately? Navigating all these digital forms, eSIMs, and travel cards makes international trips feel like a whole new ball game.

Here is my story of almost messing up my travel authorization, how I fixed it, and how you can avoid the same mini-heart attack! >_<

📌 Guam Electronic Declaration Form (Guam EDF)

👉 Official Guam EDF Declaration Link

Guam Mandatory Customs Declaration Formtraveller.guamedf.landing.cards

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• Submission Window: From 72 hours before departure up until arrival

• Who Needs It: One representative per family (if traveling with non-family members, each person must fill out their own)

• How to Submit: Complete the form online, save the generated QR code, and show it to customs officers upon arrival

• 💡 Pro Tip: Email a copy of the QR code to yourself! It is super easy to fill out, but having a backup in your inbox gives you peace of mind.

​📌 Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver & Electronic Travel Authorization (G-CNMI ETA)

👉 Official G-CNMI ETA Application Website

Official G-CNMI ETA Application Website, U.S. Customs and Border Protectiong-cnmi-eta.cbp.dhs.gov

• Starting November 30, 2024, paper arrival cards were completely phased out, making the G-CNMI ETA mandatory for travelers utilizing the visa waiver program!

• Submission Window: Must be submitted at least 5 days prior to departure

• Who Needs It: Every single traveler, including infants (parents can use their own email address for children without one)

• Fee: Free of charge

• What You Need: An e-passport valid for at least 6 months and a digital selfie photo to upload

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😱 The Pending Status Scare: My G-CNMI ETA Glitch Story

I had done a similar process for another trip recently, so I figured this would be a walk in the park.

(The website is quite user-friendly, so filling it out is pretty straightforward!)

I applied early in the morning on the 14th, received an email confirming my Application Number, and assumed I was good to go... or so I thought.

Fast forward to the evening of the 19th. With departure just around the corner, I sat down to do my electronic customs form. On a whim, I decided to check my G-CNMI ETA status... Wait, what? It was still showing as 'Pending' (under review)...?! 😱

Why was it sending me right back to the application review screen? They said to apply at least 5 days in advance, which I did, and now we were only 3 days away from the flight! I started to panic.

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I was positive I had clicked SUBMIT on my first attempt, but something must have glitched in the system. Since it was late at night and customer support wasn't an option, I carefully went through the steps on the screen again and hit the final submit button once more.

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And just a few minutes later...!! My approval email arrived! 🎉 I quickly checked the official portal to double-check, and there it was: 'APPROVED' 😭 Talk about a massive sigh of relief!

Everyone else seemed to get theirs instantly, so of course, I had to be the one with the glitch. If I had waited until I got to the airport or landed in Guam to check, it would have been an absolute nightmare!

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💡 Good to Know

• Validity Period: 2 years from the approval date.

• Once approved, you can travel to Guam and the CNMI as many times as you want for 2 years without reapplying—unless you get a new passport! (Maybe this is my excuse to plan another trip soon? 😉)

That definitely woke me up right before my trip!

Time to double-check my luggage and make sure I haven't forgotten anything else.

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📌 Guam Pre-Trip Essential Checklist & Helpful Links