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On April 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting CW-1 petitions subject to the fiscal year 2018 cap.<\/p>\n
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Employers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands use the CW-1 program to employ foreign workers who are otherwise ineligible to work under other nonimmigrant worker categories.<\/p>\n
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The cap for CW-1 visas for FY 2018 has not been set, but it is required to be less than the FY 2017 cap, which is currently set at 12,998.<\/p>\n
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For the FY 2018 cap, an extension petition may request a start date of Oct. 1, 2017, even if that worker\u2019s current status will not expire by that date.<\/p>\n
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We encourage employers to file a petition for a CW-1 nonimmigrant worker up to six months in advance of the proposed start date of employment and as early as possible within that timeframe. We will reject a petition if it is filed more than six months in advance.<\/p>\n
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Remember to\u00a0submit all required\u00a0documents, including\u00a0evidence that you posted the job vacancy announcement on the Department of Labor website.<\/p>\n
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Important reminder:<\/strong>\u00a0As of Dec. 23, 2016, the new filing fee for a CW-1 petition is $460. A petitioning CNMI employer must also pay the required education fee for each requested CW-1 worker. Go to the\u00a0Form I-129CW, Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker\u00a0page to see the current fee amounts. You must include the correct fee or we will reject and return your form.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n