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

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 the 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 fulfilled all U.S. immigration requirements. CNMI investors invested a minimum of $50,000 US and received a long-term business certificate or a retirement date of 55; fulfilled investment 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. It is for long-term or two-year periods ending on or before December 31, 2014. These extensions require two years to complete the entire process. Spouses and children under 18 join under the same petition.

Warning

Now a trend exists whereby pre-filing 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.