King-Hinds Confirms $100,000 H-1B Payment Not Required for CNMI Medical Professionals

Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds today announced that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it is not currently requiring the $100,000 payment previously associated with certain H-1B petitions, removing a potential barrier to recruiting medical professionals for the Commonwealth.

The clarification follows a letter King-Hinds sent to USCIS in April requesting reconsideration of the payment requirement for physicians and other medical professionals seeking to work in the Northern Mariana Islands. In her letter, King-Hinds argued that the Commonwealth's geographic isolation and ongoing healthcare workforce shortages made the requirement particularly harmful to the CNMI's ability to recruit qualified providers.

In its response, USCIS explained that while Presidential Proclamation 10973 originally included the payment requirement, a federal court subsequently vacated the agency guidance implementing that provision. As a result, USCIS confirmed it is not requiring evidence of the $100,000 payment at this time and that reconsideration of the CNMI's exemption request is therefore unnecessary.

"My concern has always been making sure federal policy does not make it harder for the CNMI to recruit the doctors and specialists our community needs," said Congresswoman King-Hinds. "This clarification removes uncertainty for healthcare employers and helps ensure this payment requirement is not another obstacle to bringing medical professionals to our islands."

King-Hinds noted that healthcare workforce shortages remain one of the Commonwealth's most significant challenges and said her office will continue working with federal agencies to remove unnecessary barriers that affect recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals.

"Access to healthcare begins with access to healthcare professionals," King-Hinds said. "My office will continue working to ensure federal policies recognize the unique realities of providing medical care in the Northern Mariana Islands."