Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status

No forms / supporting documents in this ICR. Check IC Document Collections.

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
277197	Biometrics Processing	New
241539	Semiannual Report for CW-1 Workers Form	Modified
190101	Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker Instruction	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1615-0111	ICR Reference No: 202508-1615-058
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202401-1615-038
Agency/Subagency: DHS/USCIS	Agency Tracking No: I-129CW
Title: Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 11/10/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	02/28/2027
Responses	17,925	11,950
Time Burden (Hours)	43,242	36,251
Cost Burden (Dollars)	3,809,063	3,809,063

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Abstract: Form I-129CW is necessary for an employer to petition for an alien to enter the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) temporarily to perform services or labor as a CNMI-Only nonimmigrant transition worker (CW). This form is also necessary for an employer to petition for an extension of stay or change of status for an alien as CW nonimmigrant. Form I-129CWR is necessary to verify the continuing employment and payment of such workers under the terms and conditions set forth in the CW-1 petition that the employer filed on the workers behalf. Pub. L. 115-218, sec. 3(a)(3)(C).

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 110 - 229 702 Name of Law: Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008
   PL: Pub.L. 115 - 218 3 Name of Law: Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1615-AC99	Proposed rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Biometrics Processing
Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker	I-129CW	Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker
Semiannual Report for CW-1 Workers	I-129CWR	Semiannual Report for CW-1 Workers

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	17,925	11,950	0	5,975	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	43,242	36,251	0	6,991	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	3,809,063	3,809,063	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: USCIS is reporting an increase in the estimated annual hour burden to respondents for this information as a result of this change. Respondents of this information collection will be required to submit biometrics. USCIS is accounting for the estimated average burden per response in this revision action for submission of biometrics. USCIS estimates the average burden per response for biometric processing is 1.17 hours. There is no change to the estimated annual cost burden to respondents for this information collection as a result of the proposed rulemaking.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $9,987,870

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 11/10/2025

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