U.S. Department of Labor Programs Serving the CNMI
Find federal resources for foreign labor certification (CW-1), the FLAG online filing system, prevailing wage determinations, and Wage and Hour protections — all in one place.
Latest from USDOL
Announcements & Updates
Jul 29, 2026
Upcoming OFLC Webinar: Performing Surveys for Prevailing Wage Determinations (Form ETA-9141)
OFLC invites employers, attorneys, and agents to a technical assistance webinar on using surveys to complete an Application for Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141), covering key survey concepts, format and structure, and calculating the prevailing wage. Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
View details and join link ↗
New Prevailing Wage Data in Effect for the 2026–2027 Wage Year
OFLC has published updated OEWS prevailing wage data effective July 1, 2026, which will be used for prevailing wage determinations issued through June 30, 2027. Employers preparing CW-1 filings should confirm they are using current wage data.
Read the announcement ↗
*For all federal announcements, visit flag.dol.gov/announcements. Follow the CNMI Department of Labor on Facebook for local updates.
Office of Foreign Labor Certification
OFLC & the CW-1 Program
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC), under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, administers the labor certification process for the CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) program. Employers in the Commonwealth must obtain a Temporary Labor Certification (TLC) from OFLC before petitioning the Department of Homeland Security to employ a worker in CW-1 status.
A TLC confirms that not enough qualified U.S. workers are available to fill the job opportunity in the CNMI, and that hiring a CW-1 worker will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Certification validity:Â Job opportunities may be certified for up to one year, renewable for two additional one-year periods. Statutorily defined long-term workers may be certified for up to three years, renewable in additional three-year periods.
Get a Prevailing Wage
Request a Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141C) from OFLC through the FLAG system.
Recruit U.S. Workers
Complete required domestic recruitment to test the local labor market before filing.
File for Certification
Submit the CW-1 application package (Form ETA-9142C, appendices, and PWD) for a Temporary Labor Certification.
Online Filing
FLAG — Foreign Labor Application Gateway
The Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) is the U.S. Department of Labor’s online portal for filing and managing foreign labor certification applications, including CW-1 prevailing wage requests and temporary labor certification applications.
Employers and authorized representatives file all CW-1 applications electronically through FLAG. The system also publishes program announcements, webinar schedules, processing updates, and technical filing tips.
Account reminder:Â FLAG user accounts are for the individual account holder only. Sharing accounts or login credentials is prohibited and may result in loss of FLAG access.
What Employers Can Do in FLAG
- File CW-1 Prevailing Wage Determination requests
- File CW-1 Temporary Labor Certification applications
- Track case status and upload case documents
- Access filing tips, user guides, and webinars
Wage Data
Prevailing Wage Information
Before filing a CW-1 application, employers must obtain a Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) from OFLC. Prevailing wages for the CNMI are based on the approved CNMI Prevailing Wage Study survey and, where applicable, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
OFLC issues updated prevailing wage data each July for the new wage year. Employers should confirm they are using a valid, unexpired PWD when filing.
Worker Protections
Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the CNMI, including the federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies in the Commonwealth.
Workers may file wage complaints directly with WHD at no cost. All WHD services are free and confidential, regardless of immigration status, and employers are prohibited from retaliating against workers who exercise their rights under federal law.
The CNMI Department of Labor works cooperatively with USDOL/WHD under a Memorandum of Understanding covering compliance assistance, cross-training, information sharing, and joint investigations.
WHD Quick Facts
- Toll-Free Helpline: 1-866-4US-WAGE (1-866-487-9243)
- Federal minimum wage in the CNMI: $7.25/hour
- Overtime: Time and one-half after 40 hours/week for covered, non-exempt employees
- Services are free and confidential
Federal Contacts (USDOL)
Federal Contacts & Help Desks
The CNMI Department of Labor provides these links as a public service. The programs described above are administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. For official guidance, forms, and filing requirements, always refer to the linked federal websites. Content on external sites is maintained by the respective federal agencies.
