In a transfer impacting hundreds of U.S. visa candidates and sponsoring employers, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has formally up to date the Form I-129 – Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with a number of essential modifications taking impact in 2025.
Whether you’re making use of for an H-1B, L-1, O-1, or different employment-primarily based nonimmigrant visa, these modifications are important to your application course of. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s new and what you should do to keep away from delays or rejections.
New Edition of Form I-129 Now Required from July 2025 Onwards
Starting January 17, 2025, solely the 01/17/25 version of Form I-129 will probably be accepted by USCIS. Older editions, such because the 04/01/24 model, will probably be robotically rejected if obtained on or after this date.
Important Note: Make positive that each one pages of your Form I-129 are from the identical version, clearly displaying the version date and proper web page numbers. Mismatched or lacking pages will end in application denial.
Expanded Visa Classifications Now Accepted Under New I-129 type
In addition to the same old H, L, O, P, Q, and R visa classifications, the up to date I-129 type is now legitimate for requesting extensions or modifications of standing to the next visa sorts:
- E-1 (Treaty Traders)
- E-2 (Treaty Investors)
- E-3 (Australian professionals)
- H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore nationals)
- TN (Canadian and Mexican professionals beneath USMCA).
This transfer streamlines the application course of for a broader vary of employment-primarily based visas beneath a single petition type.
Mandatory Inclusion of Form I-129S for L Blanket Petitions
If you’re submitting an L-1 visa beneath a blanket petition, USCIS now requires:
- Form I-129
- Form I-129S (Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition)
- A replica of a beforehand accepted I-129S
This applies to each extensions of keep and change of standing. Failure to incorporate these paperwork will end in application rejection.
Dependents’ Applications Must Be Properly Packaged
If you’re making use of for dependents beneath Form I-539 (for H-4/L-2) or Form I-765 (for employment authorization), these have to be included in the identical bundle as the first I-129 petition. Only then will USCIS adjudicate the dependent purposes collectively.
Otherwise, dependents’ purposes will probably be processed individually, doubtlessly inflicting important delays.
Part 6: Technology Export Certification Clarified
The know-how launch part (Part 6) is now solely necessary for the next visa sorts:
- H-1B
- H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore)
- L-1
- O-1A
Applicants submitting for Blanket L (LZ) classifications are now not required to finish Part 6.
No More TARP Disclosure Required
Employers who obtained monetary help beneath the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) are actually exempt from answering Question 1d within the H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement. This streamlines compliance for giant employers.
Signature & Form Rules Strictly Enforced
USCIS will reject any I-129 petition that:
- Uses typed, stamped, or digital signatures not permitted by USCIS coverage
- Includes pages from totally different version dates
- Has lacking or misnumbered pages
Double-check your type earlier than submission to keep away from pricey errors.
Entering the U.S.: Bring the Right Documents
Upon entry, the international nationwide ought to carry:
- A sound visa
- A copy of the Form I-797 approval discover, or
- An accepted Form I-129S for L-1 Blanket entrants
Having these paperwork readily available ensures a smoother entry course of.
Visa Validity vs. I-94: Don’t Confuse the Two
Even in case your petition is legitimate for a number of years, your I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) governs how lengthy you possibly can keep within the U.S. If your I-94 expires first, you should:
- File a well timed extension
- Apply for one other immigration profit
- Or depart the U.S. earlier than expiration
This applies equally to dependents beneath Form I-539.
CNMI-Specific Filing Instructions
Applicants within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) should:
- Use a CNMI P.O. Box for addresses
- Mail their kinds to the Texas Service Center, not the final submitting handle
- Follow separate directions for USPS vs. courier companies.
New I-129 Form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129.
US Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker Form I-129 New Version Released FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
