USCIS Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

About USCIS Form I-129

Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, is filed by an employer to petition for a foreign worker to come to the United States in a temporary work category such as H-1B, L-1, O, P, or several others. The form has a main section and category specific supplements for the classification being requested.

This page is a general guide and helper only. It is not legal or immigration advice. Always download and file the current official form from USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/i-129, since some USCIS forms must be completed on the official version.

Who needs to complete it

• US employers sponsoring a worker in a temporary nonimmigrant classification.
• Companies filing for specialty occupation workers, intracompany transferees, or other covered categories.
• Agents or petitioners filing for workers with extraordinary ability or in certain performance categories.
• Employers requesting an extension of stay or a change of employer for an existing worker.

How to fill out USCIS Form I-129

1. 1Read the instructions and identify the exact classification you are petitioning for, since each has its own rules and supplement.
2. 2Enter the petitioner details, including the employer name, address, and federal tax identification number.
3. 3Provide the beneficiary details, including the worker's name, date of birth, country of birth, and current status if in the United States.
4. 4State the classification requested, the basis for the petition, and the requested dates of employment.
5. 5Complete the relevant classification supplement, such as the section for the category you selected.
6. 6Describe the job, the worksite, and the wage or terms as the form and supplement ask.
7. 7Answer the questions about the number of workers and any related petitions.
8. 8Review, sign, and date the petition, note any preparer, and file it with the supporting documents and any required supplements.