The island of Guam is a paradise, as long as you don't ruin your stay here by applying for asylum. Photo universestars.com

Sometimes circumstances are such that people are forced to seek asylum in others, safe countries. The United States requires the physical presence of the asylum seeker on its territory. If you do not have a visa, you can apply for asylum at the southern US border or at airports upon arrival, but in such situations you cannot avoid immigration jail. What to do if it is not possible to obtain a visa to the USA and you want to avoid long-term imprisonment?

For Russian citizens, salvation may be a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean, located at the equator right next to the famous Mariana Trench. Guam is a territory of the United States, and since 2012, Guam has been subject to U.S. immigration laws. This means those on Guam can now seek asylum in the United States. For Russian passport holders, Guam has abolished visa requirements, and Russians enter the island with a “password” - a special entry permit issued at the Guam airport for a period of no more than 45 days (usually much less).

Guam does not have its own office that processes asylum claims; this is the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Asylum Office. When the backlog of interviews on Guam reaches a certain size, an immigration officer comes to the island; Citizens of Russia and China usually apply in Guam. By the way, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions has already expressed his opinion on this matter - he wants to cancel visa-free entry to Guam for people from these two countries.

In May 2017, my client K.S. An interview was scheduled after 8 months of waiting, and I flew to Guam to accompany me. In general, the interview procedure was no different from the “mainland” one, but there were several unusual moments. I was immediately alarmed by the fact that the interview was scheduled for 3 pm; Considering that the office usually closes around 4:30 in Los Angeles, we immediately realized that we would not do it in one day. So I had to plan my departure from Guam so that I wouldn't miss the second day of the interview.

We were not called on the appointed day, even at the unusually late 3 pm for such interviews (while the time in Los Angeles is 10 pm). Only at 4:15 our officer came out to us and apologized for the delay (the previous interview took longer than he expected). We were offered the opportunity to start the interview and return the next morning, or immediately reschedule the entire interview for the next day. We decided to split the interview into two parts, since the process lasts several hours, then on the second day it will be psychologically somewhat simpler - the asylum seeker will already be familiar with the officer, the situation in the office, the pace of the interview and its atmosphere. As a result, we ended up confirming the information on the I-589 form on the first day, and discussing the immediate events took place the next day.

The immigration office in Guam seemed very small compared to the premises in Los Angeles. Instead of several buildings in different parts of the city serving hundreds, if not thousands of people every day, the Guam office lobby had seating for no more than 20 people. In the same lobby local population islands - the Chamorro tribe - made a small exhibition showing the history of their people and way of life. It was interesting to get acquainted with the culture of this small people, which was “discovered” by Magellan more than 500 years ago.

In general, Guam turned out to be amazing, picturesque place, generally reminiscent of Hawaii. The island is a tiny piece of the top of the highest underwater mountain on our planet, the foot of which is the Mariana Trench. If this mountain rose above sea level, it would be significantly higher than Chomolungma-Everest. West Coast Guam is washed by the Philippine Sea, eastern by the Pacific Ocean. You can learn about the life of newly arrived immigrants in Guam from the video blog where my client cordially invited everyone - his YouTube channel is called “New Life on Guam”. There he shares his impressions of how they are adapting to life on this island, as well as his thoughts on the immigration process.

When a Russian citizen enters the island of Guam without a visa, “using a password,” and then applies for asylum, there is no opportunity to leave the island for the mainland until he receives a positive decision on the interview. As the US Customs and Border Protection in Guam explained to me, if a Russian citizen does not present an I-94 card with an asylum stamp when leaving the island, then his departure is calculated as leaving the United States, and in this case the asylum application will be closed automatically . And you can get an I-94 with an asylum stamp only if the asylum is approved. Those persons who are unable to obtain asylum based on the results of the interview will be protected from deportation in the immigration court, which will also be located on this island. So if you are considering filing your documents in Guam, keep in mind that your stay on this island may extend indefinitely.

When the interview takes place in Los Angeles, they invite you to come back in exactly two weeks for an answer; however, lately there have been frequent delays. Interviews in Guam are conducted as on-site sessions, and it usually takes significantly longer to receive a response in these situations. We have not yet received an answer, but, of course, we hope for a successful outcome of the matter!

Russians do not need a visa to enter Guam, provided that the visitor does not stay on the island for more than 45 days. If you stay for a long time, you will have to apply for a permit.

Guam belongs to the United States of America, but is not part of it. Since 2012, Russians do not need a visa to Guam - they have a visa-free regime. But there is a limitation to the rule: you can stay on the territory without a visa for 45 days. A prerequisite is to have a return ticket.

Conditions for visa-free visits to the island

A visa to Guam for Russian citizens is not required when visiting the island for a period of less than 45 days. You cannot leave it to travel to other states without American permission.

Conditions for visa-free visits:

  • travel duration - less than 45 days;
  • purpose of the trip - tourism, visiting relatives;
  • the continuation of the visit will not be entry into the United States (prohibited by the rules);
  • at the end of the trip, the foreign passport will still be valid;
  • it is necessary to fill out a border and customs declaration;
  • availability of a return ticket.

There is no entry fee.

If a minor travels to Guam without a parent, a notarized consent from the second parent will be required (with translation into English language). After passing control, visitors are given a stamp in their passport. If unforeseen circumstances arise, it is allowed to extend the permit for a maximum of 15 days.

When do you need to apply for a visa?

With a tourist visa, a visitor is allowed to stay in the country for the entire period of travel

Russians need a visa to the island of Guam provided that they stay there for more than a month and a half. They will also need permission if they plan to visit the United States. The duration of stay on the island is determined by the customs control officer.

Guam visa types

To obtain an entry permit, you must visit the US Consulate located in Russia.

The list of papers and cost depend on the type of visa received. The following types of entry permits exist for Guam:

  • tourist;
  • transit;
  • guest;
  • worker;
  • student

Each of them has design features. Visas are valid for up to three years.

With a tourist visa, a visitor is allowed to stay in the country for the entire period of travel. No invitation required. One of the advantages is unhindered movement throughout the United States.

To obtain a guest permit, you will need a written invitation from relatives

The USA is one of the countries that does not allow visa-free transit flights. That is, for a minimally short period, a visa will be required for the transfer. Allows you to move only within the airport area. The main condition is to have a plane ticket to the country you are visiting.

To obtain a guest permit, you will need a written invitation from family (friends, partners). Gives you the opportunity to stay on the island for 180 days. The advantage is multiple entries and exits.

If you have a work visa, a Russian citizen has the right to engage in labor activities throughout the United States. The main condition for opening is the presence of an employer. Issued upon official employment in Guam.

A student visa is a non-immigrant type, which is issued subject to the enrollment of a citizen of the Russian Federation in a university. You need to open it in advance. You can enter the country with such a permit when there is less than 1 month left before studying.

Registration process

To obtain a visa, you must contact the US diplomatic mission in Russian Federation(). Appointments must be made in advance. Certificates must be submitted in person.

During the interview, the applicant's fingerprints are taken. Persons under 14 years of age are exempt from this requirement.

Required documents:

  • valid international passport;
  • photo;
  • electronic application form;
  • income certificate;
  • bank statement showing the availability of money in the account;
  • extract from the real estate register.

There is no need to translate certificates.

The cost depends on the type of visa. A tourist one will cost 160 dollars, a work one - 190. The fee is paid in rubles, according to the exchange rate. The processing time for applications ranges from 1 week to 1 month.

Children do not undergo an interview to obtain a Guam visa.

Issued for children separate visa. The procedure for obtaining it is simplified for them - there is no need to go through an interview. For persons under 14 years of age, the following is prepared:

  • international passport;
  • a certificate confirming the possibility of obtaining a permit without an interview;
  • copy of parent's visa;
  • photo;
  • certificate from the place of study.

If a child travels without parents, a copy of the tourist program is attached.

Thus, if a foreign citizen plans to stay on the island of Guam for less than 45 days, he does not need to apply for an entry permit. If you exceed the deadlines at the Embassy, ​​you will have to open a visa. To obtain it, a fee is paid, the amount of which depends on the type of document.

The island of Guam, located in the western part of the United States of America, borders the Mariana Trench, which attracts tourists to its lands year after year. The small size of the island - 50 km long and 12 wide - does not prevent this area from receiving a large number of Russian tourists every season. Many of those who decide to travel such a long distance face a number of problems related to obtaining a visa to the United States. It's no secret that this is a long process associated with paperwork and a lot of risks.

Landscape of the island of Guam. The state of Guam occupies the island of the same name in the Pacific Ocean, the largest of the archipelago Mariana Islands. Guam belongs to the United States and is autonomous. The capital of the country is Hagatna. The state's territory is dominated by hilly terrain, and the northern regions are a limestone plateau.

Do you need a visa for Guam?

Although Guam belongs to the United States, it is not part of it, and Since 2012, Russians have been allowed visa-free entry to the island. This rule is still in effect, but has its reservations. You can stay in Guam without a visa for no longer than 45 days. In this case, a mandatory condition is the presence of a return ticket for a certain date.


Long wooden bridge marine park"Fish-eye", in this observatory you can watch different types fish and others marine life. The park is home to more than two hundred species of fish and fauna Pacific Ocean. The park is located in Piti Bay, in the center of the famous diving spot “Piti Bomb Hole”. This is the only underwater observatory in Micronesia, where people from all over the world can observe underwater marine life.

Visa-free entry is ideal only for those who plan to spend their holidays exclusively on the island. Visiting the United States under this entry condition will be impossible. Before you buy tickets and arrange vouchers, you need to familiarize yourself with the list of documents that you must have with you when visiting Guam without a visa:

  1. A valid foreign passport of a new type, which contains biometric data about its owner.
  2. Completed Forms I-734 and I-94 in English. They can be obtained either from the US consulate or on board the aircraft.

In this case, the purpose of the trip does not matter. Visa-free visits to the island are possible both for leisure and as a business trip. Despite the inaccessibility of visiting the states, it is possible to travel around the Northern Mariana Islands.

For those planning a long trip that will last more than 45 days, it is necessary to apply for a visa to the island of Guam, as when visiting other countries that have a visa-free regime.

What types of visas are there?

To obtain a visa for citizens of the Russian Federation, you must contact the US Consulate located in Russia. At the same time, the list of papers, the cost and duration of obtaining a visa directly depends on the purpose of obtaining it.


Hotel hotel Guam Resort. It consists of three buildings: Magas, Magalaha and the department with medical and health procedures Magahaga.

Tourist visa

A tourist visa allows you to visit the country for a period of time tourist trip. However, unlike a visitor visa, an invitation from relatives or friends permanently residing in the United States is not required.

Obtaining such a visa allows you to freely move not only throughout the entire territory of the states, but also to visit places that are not part of the state, but belong to it, including Guam. Immediately after completing your tourist trip, you must leave the United States.


Tumon Beach on Guam. This is Guam's most popular beach. Located in a densely populated central region, close to the capital and the airport. Near the beach there is all the necessary infrastructure. You can ride a banana boat or a jet ski, or just relax on the pleasant and soft white sand.

Transit visa

The USA is one of the countries where visa-free transit flights are prohibited. This means that even if the transfer at an airport in the United States is a minimally short period of time, you must have a visa. The process of obtaining a transit visa is absolutely identical to obtaining any other document required to travel to the United States. It is worth understanding that a transit visa gives you the right to freely move around the airport for a short period of time - only between transfers from flight to flight. Walking the streets of the city with such a visa will be illegal.


international Airport named after Antonio B. Von Pat. Located seven kilometers from capital city Hagatna. In the airport arrivals area there are offices of the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, as well as the Customs and border service USA, which screens passengers on all flights arriving at the airport, with the exception of direct non-stop flights from the USA.

Visitor visa

This type of visa requires an invitation from a person permanently residing in the United States. This could be a relative, friend or business partner. A big advantage when applying for such a visa will be the citizenship of the person inviting you. A visitor visa allows you to stay on the island of Guam and travel between states for up to 180 days in one trip.

The main advantage of such a visa is the possibility of multiple exit and entry into the country. If the purpose of the trip is to visit relatives, in addition to excellent knowledge of the language, it may also be useful to have joint photographs that capture the happy moments of a friendly family.


Tumon Bay on Guam. The center of tourism on the island is the Tumon region. All five-star hotels in Guam are located in this part; 90% of all guests of the state relax here. It is a long coastal strip surrounded by hotels, duty-free shops, clubs and restaurants.

Work Visa

A work visa allows you to work throughout the United States. The main condition for obtaining it is the presence of an employer. There are several types of work visas, each of which allows unhindered border crossing to carry out a certain type of work activity.


Latte Stones are a Guam landmark, a legacy of the indigenous Chamorro people. A little south of the capital Latte Stone Park is located, the name of which comes from the mysterious stone structures called “latte”, which allegedly came here in ancient times from the same village of the Chamorro people.

Required documents to obtain a visa

To visit Guam in 2019 for more than 45 days, you must obtain a visa. To do this, you should collect the following list of documents:

  1. A valid foreign passport.
  2. Photo 5*5 cm.
  3. Verified electronic application DS-160.
  4. A certificate of income and a certificate of employment received by the applicant one month before submitting the application to the consulate.
  5. Bank statement confirming availability Money on the applicant's account.
  6. Extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate.

Translation of documents required to obtain a visa is not required.

How much does a visa cost in 2019?

Depending on the type of visa you receive, its price also varies. Yes, the cost tourist visa is 160 dollars. To apply for a work visa, the consular fee will be slightly higher – $190. Paid in rubles, but according to the current exchange rate. When contacting agencies that specialize in visa assistance, the price will increase significantly.

Visa processing time

The time that needs to be spent on obtaining a visa directly depends on the workload of the consulate.

According to official regulations, the period for reviewing a visa application and checking the provided documents can vary from 7 to 30 working days.


The beaches of Guam are known for their unique landscape, white sand and rock formations. The most picturesque place of the island is its southern region. It is noteworthy that it was in the southern region of the island that the famous traveler and the discoverer Magellan.

Visa validity period

The period for which the right to enter the country is granted depends on the type of visa received:

  • If you have a tourist or visitor visa, you can freely travel to and from Guam for 3 years.
  • Working and transit visa gives the right to stay in the United States, including the islands of Guam, for a period of up to 2 years.

Latte Stones are the stone pillars of ancient buildings on Guam. The origin of the pillars, reaching 6 m in diameter, has not been precisely established, but some scientists argue that these are just columns left over from the luxurious houses of the local nobility.

How to apply for a visa for a child?

To be allowed to leave Russia and subsequently fly to Guam with a child under 14 years of age, you must also obtain a visa. However, for such travelers, the conditions for obtaining it and the entry rules have been significantly simplified - for them, an interview at the consulate has been canceled. To obtain a visa, persons under 14 years of age simply need to submit the following documents to the consulate:

  • A certificate confirming the possibility of obtaining a visa without an interview.
  • International passport.
  • A copy of the parent's visa (if the child is traveling without legal representatives, a copy of the tourist program must be attached).
  • Photo 5*5.
  • Certificate from the place of study, issued one month before submitting the application.

Cape of Two Lovers on Guam, about which many legends are known. This is the most visited tourist place on Guam, it is located in the Tumon area. The legend tells of two lovers who were not destined to marry, and they jumped off a cliff, tying their hair together so that they would be inseparable even after death. Here at an altitude of 120 m there is Observation deck, from which a beautiful panoramic view to Guam.

Reasons for visa refusal

When the package of documents has been collected and submitted for verification, you are required to appear for a conversation with the consul. After this meeting, all that remains is to wait for the decision on the issue of obtaining a visa. An applicant may be refused in cases where:

  • the information obtained during the interview and analysis of documents is not enough to provide confidence in the applicant’s identity;
  • discrepancy between the applicant’s parameters and the purpose of the trip;
  • criminal record.

The parameters that prompted the consulate to refuse the applicant to receive the document will be detailed in the notification.

Refusal can be argued in various ways. This may be a small capital or the lack of strong ties with your country. In cases where this situation changes, the applicant can collect and submit documents again.


Valley of Guam Falls. The Valley of Waterfalls is unique in that water falls from a stone ledge into small but deep reservoirs where you can swim and refresh yourself. This feature is used by vacationers as a hydromassage and natural shower.

Rules for entry into the United States

Those who are just about to set off on their first trip to Guam are wondering whether there are still ways from the island to the United States? Is it possible to get to America without a visa, say, through the Grenadines or St. Vincent? Unfortunately, these paths are considered illegal. The solution to the problem is still obtaining a visa.

Obtaining a Guam visa is an optional requirement as long as you stay in the country for no more than 45 days. In this case, the purpose of the trip is absolutely not important. If the trip plans to last longer long term, you must apply for a visa.

The cancellation of visa-free entry to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for Russian citizens was explained by the need to improve national security. The ban on visa-free travel will come into force in the fall of 2019

Views of the island of Guam (Photo: Gavino Garay / Reuters)

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the repeal of the rule that had been in place for the past several years, according to which Russian citizens had the right to travel to US owned Northern Mariana Islands and Guam without visas. Notice of the change in policy has been published by DHS in the Federal Register, the official journal of the United States Federal Government, and is expected to take effect 30 days after its official publication on September 3.

Now Russian tourists have the right to travel to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa for a period of no more than 45 days. They are prohibited from traveling from the islands to other territories under US jurisdiction and must have return tickets or tickets to another country.

The DHS report notes that the purpose of canceling visas for Russians was to popularize the resorts of Guam and Marian. However, the success of the program, according to DHS, turned out to be excessive - according to the department, in 2017, 85% of all Russians who arrived in Guam arrived without visas; in the Northern Mariana Islands, this figure was 82%.

DHS points to a fivefold (from 2012 to 2017) increase in the number of cases where Russians linger on the islands longer than the permitted 45 days. “Although the number of delays represents a relatively small percentage of the total number of travelers from Russia, the increase in their number in itself is a problem from the perspective of DHS,” the department said in a statement.

Refusal visa-free regime will lead to increased national security, since Russians wishing to visit Guam, where military bases of the US Air Force and Navy are located, and the Northern Marianas will have to obtain a US visa and undergo verification by the State Department.

There are no regular direct flights from Russia to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. According to the FSB border service, in 2018-2019, Russians did not visit Guam at all, and traveled to the Northern Marianas only as aviation maintenance personnel: in 2018 - 13 people, in the first quarter of 2019 - 19 people. However, many tourists go to the islands from the airports of Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong and so on. Data from the authorities of the islands themselves indicate that Russians regularly visit them.

For example, according to the Guam Tourism Bureau, in July 2019 alone, 306 Russians visited the island, which is almost a third more than in the same month of 2018 (231). In total, in January-July 2019, 3,078 Russians visited Guam (+16.8% compared to the result of the first seven months of 2018), the maximum number of guests from Russia was in January (670). According to data from a similar department in the Northern Mariana Islands, 817 Russian citizens visited them in January-July 2019.

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have the status of unincorporated organized territories of the United States, which means that the islands are not part of the United States, but are their possession. Citizens of the islands have a US passport, but do not participate in the elections of the country's president, senators and congressmen.

Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Guam for up to 45 days. You must have a valid passport and a completed migration card with you. For a longer trip, you will need to apply for a visa at the US Embassy, ​​since the islands are de facto American possessions. You should also remember that entering the United States through Guam without a visa is prohibited.

Do Russians need a visa to Guam?

Russians can visit Guam without a visa for up to 45 days; for longer visits they must obtain a US visa.

Entry rules to Guam

  • Funds in excess of $10 thousand must be declared.
  • You are allowed to bring 1 carton of cigarettes onto the island, with more they must be US certified.
  • Despite its territorial affiliation with the United States, entry into the states without a visa through Guam is prohibited.

Required documents for crossing the border

  • Forms I-94 and I-734 completed and signed by tourists (issued at the US Consulate or on board airline flights flying to the island).
  • Return air tickets with a fixed departure date.
  • Hotel reservation (hotel, apartment, hostel).
  • Proof of financial solvency: cash, bank cards, checks.
  • Medical insurance.

Crossing the border with children

  • Foreign passport of a Russian citizen.
  • Original or copy of birth certificate with an insert or stamp indicating Russian citizenship (children under 14 years old), translated into English.
  • Notarized consent for a child to leave the Russian Federation indicating the country and period of stay (Article 20, Chapter III of Federal Law No. 114-FZ of August 15, 1996) from parents or guardians, translated into English (children under 18 years of age) when independent trip or traveling accompanied by third parties).

Visa-free regime for citizens of other countries

Special regime that does not require a visa or permission from American system ESTA travel authorization, except Russia, is valid for Australia, Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, UK and Taiwan.

Citizens of the CIS countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) must obtain a US visa to visit the island of Guam.