How to sponsor a relative as tourist

Q: What are the requirements in order for an alien worker to sponsor his or her relative to come to the CNMI as a tourist?

A: The sponsoring alien worker should provide the information about the traveler in his or her request for an authorization letter, approved by the Immigration director. The request should include the name of traveler; permanent address; place of employment/occupation-certification of employment; clear copy of the traveler’s passport; date of arrival and departure, airline carrier and flight number; purpose of visit; name of location of intended stay; contact number at home or work; police clearance needed if coming from Indonesia and Malaysia; and National Bureau of Investigation clearance if coming from Philippines.

The sponsor should also submit to Immigration about his or her information consisting of an affidavit of support letter which must be notarized; copy of passport; copy of driver’s license (if applicable); copy of entry permit; copy of two latest paycheck stubs; business license (if applicable). If a company is the sponsor, a copy of the latest Business Gross Revenue Tax document must be provided.

The sponsor either has $21,000 annual income or $3,000 in savings account over the past three to six months. A $500 cash bond is also required.

An interested worker can get from the Office of the Attorney General Division of Immigration in San Antonio the visitor entry permit application form, a sample of an affidavit of sponsorship and support, and a list of the requirements for a visitor entry permit.

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Q: Are guest workers’ free to hire own attorney to file civil lawsuits against their employers?

A: Yes. Alien workers can tap attorneys of their choice and file civil lawsuits against their employers. The workers are free to independently contact the Department of Labor with complaints about their work situation. But complaining workers must remember that most contracts require that complaints be first brought to the attention of their employers.

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Q. What is at the top of the list of alien worker’s rights?

A: Employees cannot work in any other job than that listed in their employment contract.

Submit questions on labor issues to Saipan Tribune via e-mail at editor@saipantribune.com, or by calling 235-6397, 235-2440, or 235-8747 and leaving a message at Ext. 133 or 141. You may also submit questions in person by writing it down and dropping it off at the Saipan Tribune’s office on the second floor of the CIC Centre on Beach Road, Garapan.