CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds is seeking community and stakeholder input on a legislative proposal to replace the CNMI-only Transitional Worker (CW-1) program.
The program is a temporary work visa that lets employers in the CNMI hire foreign workers when no qualified U.S. workers are available. It’s scheduled to end in 2029, which has raised concerns about labor shortages in key sectors like hospitality, construction, and healthcare.
The Commonwealth has long faced a labor shortage due to its remote location, relatively low wages, high cost of living, limited services, and less competitive benefits compared to the continental U.S. This has led to a heavy reliance on non-U.S. workers for those key sectors.
King-Hinds is proposing to replace the temporary CW-1 visa with a new, long-term CNMI Labor Stabilization Program.
The legislative proposal would extend the labor stabilization program through 2039, increase the CW-1 permit cap to 15,000, and remove the burdensome ‘touchback’ rule, which currently requires CW-1 workers to leave the CNMI for 30 days before their third visa renewal.
The new program will also eliminate the requirement for an annual prevailing wage survey with a biennial schedule.
King-Hinds is welcoming all perspectives to contribute to the development of a legislative proposal that is responsive to the needs of the CNMI community.
