Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States territory) visas
Northern Mariana Islands Visa Atlas coverage is based on official USCIS, U.S. Department of State and CBP sources. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is a U.S. territory with ordinary U.S. immigration frameworks plus CNMI-specific worker handling, including the USCIS CW-1 CNMI-only transitional worker route.
6 routes · 1 without a sponsor · 2 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
USCIS - CW-1 CNMI-Only Transitional Worker ↗ · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — Official U.S. immigration agency for CNMI-only worker, family, employment, student, status and green-card processes.
- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) — Official U.S. visa authority for consular visa categories used before travel to the CNMI where a visa is required.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — Official U.S. border agency and ESTA portal for Visa Waiver Program travel authorization.
Visa routes (6)
CW-1 CNMI-Only Transitional Worker
USCIS CNMI-only temporary worker route for eligible employment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 July 2026
Visitor Visa or ESTA for the Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. visitor visa or ESTA travel-authorization path for eligible short visits to the CNMI.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 29 June 2026
Temporary Worker Visa for the Northern Mariana Islands
General U.S. temporary worker framework for CNMI roles that do not use the CW-1 route.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 July 2026
Family Immigration for the Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. family-based immigration framework for eligible relatives moving to the CNMI.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 30 July 2026
Employment-Based Green Card for the Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. employment-based immigrant pathway for eligible workers intending to live and work in the CNMI permanently.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 30 July 2026
Student or Exchange Visitor Status for the Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. student or exchange visitor framework for eligible study or exchange activity in the CNMI.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 30 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States territory) have?+
We cover 6 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States territory) visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, visitor and short business, family, skilled migration, and study. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States territory) visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
1 of the 6 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States territory) routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 5 are employer-sponsored.
Which Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (United States territory) visas lead to permanent residence?+
2 of the 6 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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