NonimmigrantCNMI onlyClosed to new applicantsEnds Dec 31, 2029Form I-129

E-2C CNMI-Only Investor

A closed, CNMI-only status that lets certain long-term investors who held CNMI investor status before November 28, 2009 stay in the Northern Mariana Islands until December 31, 2029.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026Sources: USCIS · eCFR · Department of StateReport an error

At a glance

Status: Closed to new applicants; extensions only
Initial filing deadline: Before January 18, 2013
Admission / extension: Up to 2 years at a time
Program end: December 31, 2029; status ends automatically
Where valid: CNMI only, not Guam or the rest of the U.S.
Spouse: May apply for a CNMI-only EAD, except spouses of retiree investors

Sunsets December 31, 2029. Under 8 CFR 214.2(e)(23)(xiv), E-2 CNMI Investor status ends automatically when the CNMI transition period ends on December 31, 2029. New initial applications have been rejected since January 18, 2013. A bill introduced July 20, 2026 (H.R. 9787) would extend the CNMI transition period to December 31, 2039 or later. As of October 1, 2026 it has only been referred to committee.

Overview

The E-2 CNMI Investor classification (visa symbol E-2C) was created by the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, which brought the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) under federal immigration law. It allowed foreign nationals who held long-term investor status under the CNMI’s own immigration system to stay lawfully in the CNMI (9 FAM 402.18).

It is not open to new investors. Initial applications had to be filed before January 18, 2013. Current E-2C holders can extend in increments of up to 2 years until the transition period ends on December 31, 2029, the end date set by the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act of 2018. The status is valid only in the CNMI. Travel to Guam or anywhere else in the U.S. requires a separate visa or visa waiver eligibility.

Unlike the regular E-2, this status has no treaty-nationality requirement. Eligibility depends on having held one of three CNMI investor statuses on the transition date, keeping residence in the CNMI and keeping the original investment.

Who qualifies

To keep or extend E-2C status, the investor must

Have been lawfully admitted to the CNMI in long-term investor status under CNMI law before November 28, 2009 and held it on that date
Have continuously maintained residence in the CNMI
Keep the investment that formed the basis for the CNMI investor certificate
Be physically present in the CNMI when filing an extension and not leave while it is pending
Remain admissible to the United States

Qualifying CNMI investor statuses (8 CFR 214.2(e)(23)(iii))

Long-term business investor: approved investment of at least $50,000 (Long-Term Business Certificate)
Foreign investor: at least $100,000 in an aggregate approved investment over $2,000,000, or at least $250,000 in a single approved investment (Foreign Investment Certificate)
Retiree investor: over 55, with an approved residence investment of at least $100,000 on Saipan or $75,000 on Tinian or Rota (Foreign Retiree Investment Certification), or at least $150,000 (Foreign Retiree Investment Certificate)

Duration & extensions

Initial period	Up to 2 years
Extensions	Up to 2 years each, until the end of the transition period
Final date	December 31, 2029. Status ends automatically (8 CFR 214.2(e)(23)(xiv))
Dependents	Same period as the principal
Geographic limit	CNMI only; leaving the CNMI requires an E-2C visa to return

Fees

Extensions are filed with USCIS on Form I-129 with Supplement E. Amounts are from the USCIS fee schedule (G-1055, edition 10/01/26).

Fee	Amount	Who pays	Notes
Form I-129 (E-2C extension)	$1,015 paper / $965 online	Investor	A fee waiver (Form I-912) may be available for E-2 CNMI investor applicants, according to G-1055.
Asylum Program Fee	$600	Investor	$300 for small employers; $0 for nonprofits.
Form I-539 (dependents)	$470 paper / $420 online	Dependent	Under the Form I-129 instructions, dependents of E-2 CNMI investors apply on Form I-539.
Form I-765 (spouse EAD, category (c)(12))	See G-1055	Spouse	Fee depends on filing method; the EAD is valid for CNMI employment only.
E visa application fee (if a visa is needed to return)	$315	Investor	E-category consular fee; a reciprocity fee may apply.

Public Law 119-21 (signed July 4, 2025), section 100007, requires a Visa Integrity Fee of at least $250 when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. As of October 1, 2026, the State Department’s fee schedule (22 CFR 22.1) lists no Visa Integrity Fee and no implementing notice has been published in the Federal Register, so the amount actually collected at visa issuance should be confirmed with the consulate.

Processing time

Program end: Dec 31, 2029; No E-2C status can extend past this date under current law.

E-2C petitions are not among the classifications USCIS lists for premium processing. Regular processing times vary; check USCIS processing times. File extensions well before the current status expires.

Application steps

1
Confirm continuing eligibility
Check that the CNMI investment and residence have been maintained and that the investor certificate is still valid.
2
Prepare Form I-129 and Supplement E
Write “E-2C” in the classification block and include evidence of the investment, the certificate and continued compliance.
3
File while in the CNMI
The investor must be physically present in the CNMI when filing and must not leave while the request is pending.
4
Include dependents
Dependents apply on Form I-539 and receive the same validity period as the principal. An eligible spouse can apply for a CNMI-only EAD.
5
Plan for 2029
Under current law, all E-2C status ends December 31, 2029. Look into other immigration options well before then.

Required documents

Typical evidence

Unexpired passport and CNMI admission documents
Unexpired Long-Term Business Certificate, Foreign Investment Certificate, or Foreign Retiree Investment Certificate or Certification
Evidence the investment is maintained: financial statements, tax returns, business licenses, lists of employees
For retiree investors: proof of the property interest and its value

Dependents & family

The spouse and children of an E-2 CNMI Investor receive the same classification for the same period, whatever their nationality (8 CFR 214.2(e)(23)(x)).

Unlike regular E-2 spouses, an E-2C spouse is not employment authorized incident to status. The spouse may apply for an EAD under 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(12) for CNMI employment only, unless the principal holds status as a retiree investor.

Path to a green card

E-2C is a bridge status with no direct path to a green card. Under the regulation, CW and E-2C visa applicants may have dual intent (9 FAM 402.18), so pursuing a green card does not by itself defeat the status.

Step 1

Look for another route

Options may include an EB-5 investment, an employer petition or a family-based petition, each with its own requirements.

Because the status ends automatically on December 31, 2029, holders should plan their next status well in advance.

E-2

Treaty investor

The standard nationwide investor visa for treaty nationals.

CW-1

CNMI-only transitional worker

The CNMI’s parallel worker program, also ending in 2029.

EB-5

Immigrant investor

Permanent residence through a qualifying investment.

E-1

Treaty trader

For treaty nationals engaged in substantial trade.

Common questions

Can a new investor apply for E-2C today?

No. Initial applications had to be filed before January 18, 2013, and USCIS rejects later initial filings. Only people already in E-2C status can extend.

When does E-2C end?

Under current regulations, E-2 CNMI Investor status ends automatically when the transition period ends on December 31, 2029.

Can an E-2C holder visit Guam or the U.S. mainland?

Not on E-2C. The status is valid only in the CNMI. Travel to Guam or elsewhere in the U.S. requires a separate visa or visa waiver eligibility.

Can an E-2C spouse work?

Yes, with an EAD under category (c)(12), and only in the CNMI. Spouses of retiree investors are not eligible.

Official sources

Recent changes

Aug 24, 2026
Court enjoins USCIS hold memos. In Red Eagle Law v. Edlow (N.D. Cal.), the court ordered USCIS to process applications from nationals of the countries covered by PM-602-0192 and PM-602-0194 in the normal course. USCIS said it will comply pending possible further review. Source ↗
Jun 5, 2026
Court vacates USCIS hold memos. In Dorcas v. USCIS (D.R.I.), the court vacated PM-602-0192, PM-602-0194 and PA-2025-26, with final judgment on June 11, 2026. Source ↗
Jan 1, 2026
Proclamation 10998 expands entry restrictions. Signed December 16, 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, it continues the June 2025 restrictions and adds more countries. Nationals of fully restricted countries are barred from entry on any visa unless an exception applies; for partially restricted countries, consular officers are told to shorten the validity of nonimmigrant visas other than B, F, M and J. Source ↗
Jan 1, 2026
USCIS hold on benefit requests expanded (PM-602-0194). Extends the December 2, 2025 hold (PM-602-0192) on final decisions for pending benefit requests, including extensions and changes of status, filed by nationals of countries named in the travel-restriction proclamations. The memo says the hold stays in place until the USCIS Director lifts or changes it. A federal court vacated this memo on June 5, 2026 (Dorcas v. USCIS, D.R.I.), and another court enjoined it on August 24, 2026 (Red Eagle Law v. Edlow, N.D. Cal.); USCIS says it is following both orders. Source ↗
Jul 4, 2025
Visa Integrity Fee enacted. Public Law 119-21 created a non-waivable Visa Integrity Fee of at least $250, due when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. As of October 1, 2026, the State Department’s fee schedule does not list it. Source ↗
Jun 9, 2025
Proclamation 10949 travel restrictions take effect. Signed June 4, 2025, it fully or partially suspended entry for nationals of 19 countries, effective June 9, 2025. Source ↗
Apr 1, 2024
New USCIS fee schedule and Asylum Program Fee. The USCIS fee rule published January 31, 2024 took effect April 1, 2024. It set separate Form I-129 fees for each classification, created reduced fees for small employers and nonprofits, and added an Asylum Program Fee to I-129 petitions. Source ↗

This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? Tell us.