E-2 CNMI Visa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Investor

This is a very obtuse visa category designed for investors from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands transitioning from an older U.S. investor permit system to the current U.S. immigration laws.

All petitions must have been filed on the USCIS form I-129 with E Supplement, all accompanying documentation and have paid all required filing fees by January 18, 2013. And you had to have been admitted to the CNMI as an investor, under their immigration laws before November 28, 2008, have maintained CNMI residency since that date and fulfill all U.S. immigration requirements. CNMI investors had to have invested a minimum of $50,000 US and received a long term business certificate or a retired over 55 who invested in a residence and received a foreign retiree investment certificate or were an investor who invested $100,000 US in an aggregate approved investment over $2,000,000 US with a $200,000 US single improvement payment.

Visa Period of Stay

The period of stay is in the CNMI and is initially for 2 years. And it is extendable for two year periods ending December 31, 2014. These extensions require re-filing the entire process. Spouses and children under 21 can join under the same petition.

Warning

Now a trend exists whereby pregnant Chinese women pay high dollars to travel to Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands to give birth to babies eligible for U.S. citizenship. We expect this loophole to be closed in the future.

A Charleston Immigration attorney can assist you with your questions regarding this program.