USCIS Form I-129CW Instructions for Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Connor

Instructions explain how an employer uses USCIS Form I-129CW to petition for an alien to enter or remain in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands temporarily as a CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1, CNMI-Only). The guidance covers eligibility and filing limits, including rules for naming beneficiaries, combining multiple aliens, and requesting an extension of stay or change of status. It also details general filing requirements such as signatures, validity of signed copies, fees, required evidence, biometrics, document copies, and translation certification.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

What Is the Purpose of Form I-129CW?

Who May File Form I-129CW?

General Instructions

How To Fill Out Form I-129CW

Instructions for Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS Form I-129CW OMB No. 1615-0111 Expires 10/31/2021 What Is the Purpose of Form I-129CW? This form is used by an employer to petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an alien to come asa nonimmigrant to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) temporarily to perform services or labor as a CW-1, CNMI-Only Transitional Worker, an alien worker who will enter or remain in the CNMI for the purpose of employment during the transition period, and is ineligible for another classification under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) . This form is used also by an employer to request an extension of stay or change of status for a CNMI-Only Transitional Worker. NOTE: Form I-129CW consists of a basic petition and an individual supplement relating to this classification. Who May File Form I-129CW? General. An employer may file this petition to classify an alien as a CNMI-Only Transitional Worker. In order to obtain the status, the worker must either be lawfully present in the CNMI, or must be coming from abroad to the CNMI with a CW-1 visa. The alien cannot be present in the United States, other than in the CNMI. Including more than one alien in a petition. Multiple aliens who will seek admission in CW-1 classification may be included on the same petition provided they will: 1. All be working in the same occupational category; 2. All be employed for the same period of time; 3. All be employed in the same location; and 4. All be requesting the same action in Part 2., Item Numbers 2. and 5. Naming beneficiaries. All aliens in a petition for CW-1 classification, an extension of stay, or change of status must be named in the petition. Unnamed beneficiaries are not permitted. General Instructions USCIS provides forms free of charge through the USCIS website. In order to view, print, or fill out our forms, you should use the latest version of Adobe Reader, which you can download for free at [http://get.adobe.com/reader/](http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not)[. If you do not](http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not)[ ](http://get.adobe.com/reader/. If you do not)[have Internet access](have Internet access), you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. The USCIS Contact Center provides information in English and Spanish. For TTY (deaf or hard of hearing) call: 1-800-767-1833. Signature. Each petition must be properly signed and filed. For all signatures on this petition, USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name in place of a signature. Validity of Signatures. USCIS will consider a photocopied, faxed, or scanned copy of the original, handwritten signature valid for filing purposes. The photocopy, fax, or scan must be of the original document containing the handwritten, ink signature. Filing Fee. Each petition must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee and biometric services fee (if applicable) .(See the What Is the Filing Fee section of these Instructions.) Evidence. At the time of filing, you must submit all evidence and supporting documentation listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit section of these Instructions. Biometric Services Appointment. Every individual who is an applicant, petitioner, derivative, beneficiary, or sponsor of an immigration benefit request or other request submitted to USCIS is required to submit biometrics unless USCIS waives or exempts the requirement. You will be notified of the time and place of your appointment if you must appear and you will be provided requirements for rescheduling if necessary. If you fail to provide any biometrics as required, USCIS may deny your application, petition, or request. DHS may store the biometrics submitted by an individual and use or reuse biometrics to conduct background and security checks, including a

FAQs

What is the purpose of USCIS Form I-129CW?

An employer uses Form I-129CW to petition USCIS for an alien to come to the CNMI temporarily as a CW-1 CNMI-Only Transitional Worker. The employer may also use the form to request an extension of stay or change of status.

Who may file Form I-129CW, and what location limits apply?

An employer may file to classify an alien as a CNMI-Only Transitional Worker. The worker must be lawfully present in the CNMI or be coming from abroad to the CNMI with a CW-1 visa, and the alien cannot be present in the United States other than in the CNMI.

What general submission and signature requirements apply to the petition?

Each petition must be properly signed; USCIS will not accept a stamped or typewritten name instead of a signature. USCIS also allows photocopied, faxed, or scanned copies of the handwritten signature for filing, and the petition must include the required filing fee and any applicable biometric services fee.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Connor