US | USCIS Clarifies Policy for CW-1 Visa Holders

USCIS clarified its August 25, 2020, policy regarding CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) visa holders’ requirement to leave the United States for at least 30 days after two renewals.

Effective October 27, USCIS will classify CW-1 petitions as consecutive for the temporary departure requirement if the approved CW-1 petitions have a starting validity date on or after June 18, 2020. Any extension of CW-1 status granted on or after June 18, 2020, will be considered a consecutive petition if the extension has a starting validity date on or after that date (and is not backdated before that date).

Erickson Insights

Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney. For more information, please visit the USCIS Policy Update on the CW-1 Departure Requirement page.