Form 11; instructions 10.

08/01/18. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

USCIS will only accept the 8/01/18, version of Form I-129CW. USCIS will reject and return fees for any petitions submitted using a 05/09/18, or earlier version date of Form I-129CW.

Mailing Instructions

All filings for employment or services in the CNMI, regardless of classification, are filed with:

California Service Center
P.O. Box 10698
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1098

For courier or express deliveries:

California Service Center
24000 Avila Road
2nd Floor, Room 2312
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

When completing Form I-129CW, please list your CNMI Post Office Box when asked for a street or physical address.

See the filing instructions for further information.

Don’t forget to sign your form! We will reject any unsigned form.

Please do not submit this checklist with your Form I-129CW. It is an optional tool to use as you prepare your form, but does not replace statutory, regulatory, and form instruction requirements. We recommend that you review these requirements before completing and submitting your form. Do not send original documents unless specifically requested in the form instructions or applicable regulations.

If you submit any documents (copies or original documents, if requested) in a foreign language, you must include a full English translation along with a certification from the translator verifying that the translation is complete and accurate, and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language to English.

Did you provide the following?

• A complete CW Classification Supplement to Form I-129CW per beneficiary/employee with the required attestation and evidence that supports the elements in the attestation (to the extent available)
• Evidence demonstrating you meet the definition of an employer
• A copy of the Commonwealth or local license for each beneficiary/employee to fully perform or practice the duties of the occupation (if required)
• Evidence you have posted a job vacancy announcement for the position on the CNMI Department of Labor website 
• A copy of each beneficiary/employee’s Form I-94, Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record, if seeking change of status or extension of stay
• Evidence each beneficiary/employee maintained status if seeking change of status or extension of stay
• Evidence each beneficiary/employee remains admissible if seeking extension of stay
• Evidence each beneficiary/employee remains eligible for CW-1 classification if seeking extension of stay
   

Duplicate Copies:

The beneficiary may need a visa from the U.S. Department of State if they are found ineligible for a grant of status, a change of status or an extension of stay, or if they travel outside the CNMI.

Please provide a duplicate copy of Form I-129CW and all supporting documentation at the time of filing. Additionally, please provide duplicate copies of all documents sent to USCIS in response to a Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny. The duplicate copies will be sent to the U.S. Department of State. USCIS will not make a duplicate copy if one is not provided.

Please note: Failure to submit duplicate copies may cause a delay in the U.S. Department of State issuing a visa abroad, if one is needed.

Form I-94 Validity:

When a foreign national employee with an approved Form I-129CW petition is admitted to the CNMI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection grants the foreign national employee a period of stay documented on Form I-94 or as noted in the passport or travel document. 

If the expiration date on the granted Form I-94 ends before the end of Form I-129CW’s validity period (as shown on Form I-797, Notice of Action) one of the following must occur before the expiration date on Form I-94 or as noted in the passport or travel document:

• A request for an extension of stay must be filed on behalf of the foreign national employee using Form I-129CW; or
• An application for some other immigration benefit that would allow the foreign national employee to remain in the CNMI must be filed; or
• The foreign national employee must depart from the CNMI.

If the foreign national employee’s stay is limited as described above, any dependent family members who accompanied or followed to join the foreign national employee must also:

• Request an extension of stay using Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status;
• Apply for some other immigration benefit that would allow them to remain in the CNMI; or
• Depart the CNMI before the expiration date on their Form I-94 or the date noted in their passport or travel document.

Please note: Premium Processing Service is not available for Form I-129CW filings.