Form I-129 – Petition for a Temporary Worker

TITLE: Form I-129 – Petition for a Temporary Worker

WHAT IT IS: This is the form a U.S. employer files to bring a worker from another country to the United States for a temporary job, training, or labor. It can also be used to extend the worker’s stay or change their status to certain nonimmigrant categories. Common categories include H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN.

WHO NEEDS IT: U.S. employers or organizations (the petitioner) who want to hire a foreign worker temporarily in one of these classifications: H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, or R-1. It is also used to request an extension of stay or change of status for E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B1, TN, or any of the classifications listed above. The worker does not file this form; the employer files it on their behalf.

HOW TO FILE:

1. Decide whether to file online or by mail. Online filing is available only for certain classifications—check the USCIS “Forms Available to File Online” page. For mail, use the direct filing address for your case type (found on the USCIS I-129 direct filing addresses page).

2. If filing online, create a USCIS online account or sign in, then complete the form in your account. If filing by mail, download and print the correct form edition, ensuring all pages are from the same edition and the edition date is visible at the bottom of each page.

3. Gather all required initial evidence listed in the form’s checklist. Fill out every section of the form completely.

4. Pay the filing fee (see FEES section below). Online payment goes through your USCIS account. By mail, you can include a fee payment or a signed Form G-1450 (credit card) or G-1650 (ACH); do not send multiple copies of these payment forms.

5. Sign the form by hand with a valid original signature. The signature must be handwritten directly on the form. Typed names, stamps, autopens, electronic signatures created outside the USCIS online system, or cut-and-pasted images of a signature will cause rejection.

6. Submit the form following the chosen filing method. For online, submit through your account. For mail, mail the signed form, supporting documents, and fee to the correct address.

FEES: The filing fee for Form I-129 is listed on the USCIS Fee Schedule page (check the official fee schedule). An additional $100,000 payment is required for certain H-1B petitions filed on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern on Sept. 21, 2025, under a Presidential Proclamation. The source does not mention a fee waiver for this form.

CURRENT EDITION & DEADLINES: As of now, two editions are accepted: 01/20/25 and 02/27/26. The edition date appears at the bottom of the form pages. USCIS will accept the 01/20/25 edition only if it is received on or before March 31, 2026. Starting April 1, 2026, USCIS will accept only the 02/27/26 edition and will reject any 01/20/25 edition received on or after that date. Always use the correct edition based on when USCIS will receive your filing.

COMMON MISTAKES:

- Using an outdated form edition after the transition date, or printing pages from different editions.

- Submitting an invalid signature, such as a typed name, stamp, or a scanned image pasted onto the form.

- Sending duplicate copies of the form or payment authorizations (especially for H-2B petitions), which can lead to extra charges or separate cases.

WHERE TO GET THE FORM: Only download from the official USCIS website at https://www.uscis.gov/i-129.

SOURCE: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129

DISCLAIMER: General info from USCIS, not legal advice — always verify on the official page and consult a licensed immigration attorney for your case. English is authoritative.