Walt F.J. Goodridge presents…the
Relocation Guide
© Walt Goodridge. All rights reserved by a company called W
Welcome & Overview
What's the ecconomy like right now? What are the political parties? What's the weather like? Are there typhoons? What currency do they use there? Can I own land there if I'm NOT of Northern Mariana Descent?
The People
Saipan has a unique population of Chamorros, Carolinians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Thailanders, Bangladeshis and US mainland transplants! What language is spoken there? Are the people friendly?
Immigration
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Saipan? How long can I stay on Saipan with a tourist visa?
Employment
Cost of Living
Your daily expenses Is it expensive to live there? Can I survive on my pension or disability? How much is trash pickup? Are utilities cheap? Are the private schools affordable?
Doing Business
Making money on Saipan What sort of business should I start? What sort of businesses are needed? Would a Starbucks succeed on Saipan? Are there any entrepreneurs I can speak with?
Resources
Are there any websites, books, maps, directories or other resources that can help me make my decision? MORE... Learn more at :
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are more questions answered in the Relocation Guide MORE...
Learn More
About Walt G., SaipanLiving founder
Learn Walt’s story of escape to this tropical paradise!
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WHERE IS SAIPAN?
Ask a Question
While we can't guarantee an answer given the volume of questions we receive, you may Question">ask one here.Saipan Living Updated for 2023! The Relocation Guide!
YES, THIS TITLE HAS BEEN UPDATED!
• Photos of the islands you won't find anywhere else.
Yes, you get all this and more to help you decide if Saipan is the right place to visit, vacation, venture into business, retire or simply escape the rat race!
What People Are Saying
“You've pretty much answered most of my questions. I can't believe how much was covered in this book. I read it in one day. I didn't want to stop reading.”
— Brittany (from the Amazon website)
“I am very impressed. I never thought of early retiring there until seeing this website. I am interested in finding out more.”
— Jim W (from the early-retirement.org forum (welovesaipan.com)
“Just finished your book and very much did enjoy it I am sure I will read again and again it has a lot of very good information and answered most of my questions.. p.s. keep me in the loop please.”
— Keith P.
“I've just read Saipan Living, the relocation guide, and it's excellent! My husband and I are relocating to Saipan at the end of the month, and current resources about the island are extremely difficult to find. Thank you, Mr. Goodridge, for making available such up to date, well-written, and helpful information. It's already been useful, and I'm sure it will be tremendously so when we hit the ground in a few weeks. Finding for a place to live, furniture to purchase, and perhaps even a job will all be much easier with this inside scoop!”
— LeeAnn (2017 from Amazon website)
“I have read great things about you and your assistance. I have already found your book to be of great assistance. It is awesome! Thanks so much.”
— B. Manuel
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RECENT AND PAST NEWS FROM SAIPAN
These are the topics, conversations, latest developments, pending legislation and stuff that will affect life, business and tourism on Saipan, Tinian, Rota and the rest of the CNMI2011: 22,417
2013: 15,000
2014: 14,000
2015: 13,999
2016: 12,999
2017: 12,998
2018: 9,998
2019: 4,999 back up to 13,000 per new law (see below)*
2020: 13,000 (not including an additional 3,000 were approved for 2020-2022 for Typhoon recovery)
*According to this news alert at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/new-law-extends-cnmi-cw-1-program-mandates-new-fraud-fee-and-will-require-e-verify-participation:
On July 24, 2018, President Trump signed the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018 (the Workforce Act), extending the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Worker program (the CW-1 program) through 2029 and increasing the CW-1 cap for fiscal year (FY) 2019. The CW-1 program allows employers within the CNMI to apply for permission to employ foreign (nonimmigrant) workers who are otherwise ineligible to work in the CNMI under other nonimmigrant worker categories.
The Visa Waiver Program that allows citizens of Russia and China to visit the CNMI without securing a visa in advance has been modified. The Russian waiver is no longer in existence as of September 2019. The length of time Chinese passport holders are allowed to stay on island has been reduced from 45 days to 14 days as of October 2019. MORE..
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Breaking News from Walt:
A few weeks ago, a former workshop attendee and coaching client revealed that she nominated me to be considered for this year’s Governor’s Humanities Award here on Saipan. I thanked her, but I didn’t really believe I qualified because...(read why at www.jamaicaninchina.com/humanities-award)