Petition for CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transition Worker

OMB Control No: 1615-0111	ICR Reference No: 202508-1615-058
Status: Historical Inactive	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
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 12/05/2025
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 11/10/2025
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is not approved at this time. Prior to publication of a final rule, the agency should provide to OMB a summary of all comments received on the proposed information collection and identify any changes made in response to these comments.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	02/28/2027	36 Months From Approved	02/28/2027
Responses	11,950	0	11,950
Time Burden (Hours)	36,251	0	36,251
Cost Burden (Dollars)	3,809,063	0	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 Semiannual Report for CW-1 Workers I-129CWR

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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

Agency Contact: Lauren Wise 202 740-4628 [email protected]

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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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