Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-129 is the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker used by employers or agents to request a visa for a foreign worker; it requires a signature on Part 7 and expires 12/31/2027.
Need help with Form I-129?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form I-129.
Start filling →Form Overview
USCIS Form I-129 - Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-129 is the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker used by employers or agents to request a visa for a foreign worker; it requires a signature on Part 7 and expires 12/31/2027.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Submitting an incomplete Form I‑129 can cause denial.
- 2Failing to sign Part 7 Declaration and provide the date.
- 3Omitting the petitioner’s daytime telephone number in Part 7.
- 4Not including a full English translation for any foreign-language document.
- 5Leaving Item 4 “Rate of pay per year” blank or not expressed as an annual full‑time amount.
Plain English
Form I-129 asks for details about the job offer, the worker’s education, and the pay. It also gathers contact information for the petitioner and any preparer. After completing the form you sign it and send it to USCIS.
Submission Date
- Filing date: Not stated in the official source.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when an employer petitions USCIS for a nonimmigrant worker to perform services, labor, or training in the United States.
- Check Form I-102 instead when you need a replacement or initial I‑94 arrival‑departure record.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Need to replace a lost or incorrect Form I‑94
Provides a new arrival‑departure record required for the petition
✓ Confirm the I‑94 is indeed missing before filing I‑129
Need fee details for I‑129 filing
Lists applicable filing fees and exemptions for the petition
✓ Verify the fee schedule matches your classification
Applicant cannot download a paper I‑94 from the CBP website
Allows filing for a paper I‑94 when electronic version unavailable
✓ Ensure CBP download failed before using I‑102
Deadline or filing window
Not stated in the official source.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Rate of pay per year
Annual salary amount in dollars · Beneficiary's employment offer letter
Highest level of formal education
Degree transcripts showing education level · Beneficiary's academic records
Passport and Travel Document Numbers
Passport number and expiration date · Beneficiary's passport
Petitioner's Declaration (Section 2)
Signature of petitioner and contact info · Petitioner's signature block
Beneficiary's I‑94 number
Copy of electronic I‑94 or Form I‑102 if unavailable · CBP website printout or Form I‑102 approval
Before you submit
- 1Verify the edition date on the form is 02/27/26.
- 2Complete the Basic petition (Part 1) with employer and beneficiary information.
- 3Attach legible photocopies of required documents such as passport and transcripts.
- 4Fill the H‑1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement if filing H‑1B or H‑1B1.
- 5Enter the beneficiary’s annual rate of pay in the appropriate box.
- 6Sign the Petitioner's Declaration in Section 2.
- 7Include the filing fee as indicated or confirm exemption.
- 8Use the correct mailing address for the filing category.
- 9Keep a copy of the entire packet for your records.
- 10Submit the packet by certified mail or courier with tracking.
How to file this form
- 1Gather employer and beneficiary information and required supporting documents.
- 2Complete the Basic petition and any applicable individual supplement on Form I‑129.
- 3Attach the H‑1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement if filing an H‑1B or H‑1B1 classification.
- 4Sign the Petitioner's Declaration in Section 2 and include the filing fee or exemption proof.
- 5Mail the complete packet to the USCIS address listed for your filing category, using a service that provides delivery confirmation.
- 6Retain the mailing receipt and tracking number as proof of filing.
Known limitations
- 1The itinerary requirement does not apply to any H classifications (e.g., H‑1B, H‑2A, H‑2B).
- 2Unnamed beneficiaries are permitted only for H‑2A agricultural workers or H‑2B temporary nonagricultural workers who are outside the United States.
- 3A petition cannot combine named and unnamed workers on the same H‑2A or H‑2B filing.
- 4The H‑1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement is required only for H‑1B and H‑1B1 classifications; other classifications do not use this supplement.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Part 1
2 items
Employer's full legal name, mailing address, and Federal EIN.
Select: U.S. employer, U.S. agent, or foreign employer.
Part 2
6 items
Foreign worker's full legal name (first, middle, last) as on passport.
Date of birth and country of birth from passport.
Visa category: H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, Q-1, R-1, TN.
Specific job title, SOC code, and summary of duties. For H-1B: must be specialty occupation.
Annual salary offered. For H-1B: must meet DOL prevailing wage.
Start date and end date being requested.
Signature
1 items
Authorized company representative must sign under penalty of perjury.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The form shows Edition 02/27/26 and expires 12/31/2027 as printed on the top of the form; no "latest information" page is referenced.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the form shows Edition 02/27/26 as printed on the top of the form
- Expiration date — confirm the form expires 12/31/2027
- Fee — Not stated in the official source
- Mailing address — Not stated in the official source
- Signature — confirm Part 7 includes a signature line for the petitioner
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Store the copy of the submitted Form I‑129 and all attachments for at least five years.
- 2Monitor USCIS case status online using the receipt number.
- 3If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, respond within the deadline indicated.
- 4Keep any USCIS correspondence in the file.
- 5Notify the beneficiary of the filing receipt and expected processing times.
- 6If an error is discovered, file Form I‑102 to correct the I‑94 record if needed.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.2 — purpose of Form I‑129 is to petition for a nonimmigrant worker.
- SRCForm p.11 — edition date is 02/27/26 and expires 12/31/2027.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — passport and travel document numbers must be entered even if expired.
- SRCInstructions p.11 — rate of pay must be expressed as an annual full‑time amount.
- SRCInstructions p.11 — highest level of formal education is indicated in Item Number 2 of Section 1.
- SRCInstructions p.11 — ACWIA fee exemption criteria listed for higher education institutions and related nonprofits.
- SRCInstructions p.4 — paper I‑94 can be obtained from CBP website or by filing Form I‑102.
- SRCInstructions p.11 — Form G‑1055 provides specific fee information for Form I‑102 and I‑129.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — filing fee amount.
- SRCNot stated in the official source — mailing address.
Common confusion points
Do I need to include the beneficiary’s expired passport number?
Source says to enter passport information even if expired.
→ Check that the passport number is entered regardless of expiration.
How is the annual rate of pay calculated?
Source specifies salary must be expressed as an annual full‑time amount, not monthly.
→ Convert monthly wages to an annual total before entering.
When is the ACWIA fee exemption applicable?
Source lists specific employer types that are exempt.
→ Verify employer classification matches exemption criteria.
Can I submit original documents instead of copies?
Source says USCIS may request originals but generally copies are sufficient.
→ Submit legible photocopies unless instructed otherwise.
Where do I obtain a paper Form I‑94?
Source mentions CBP website or filing Form I‑102.
→ Attempt CBP download first; if unavailable, prepare Form I‑102.
Do I need to file the H‑1B Data Collection supplement for non‑H‑1B classifications?
Source indicates the supplement is required only for H‑1B and H‑1B1.
→ Confirm your classification before attaching the supplement.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
After
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- Form I‑102 — file to correct an inaccurate I‑94 after a denial.
Questions about USCIS Form I-129
What is USCIS Form I-129 used for?
Form I-129 asks for details about the job offer, the worker’s education, and the pay. It also gathers contact information for the petitioner and any preparer. After completing the form you sign it and send it to USCIS.
What information does USCIS Form I-129 require?
The form collects the beneficiary’s highest education level (Section 1, Item 2), major field of study, and annual rate of pay (Section 1, Item 4). It also gathers petitioner or authorized signatory details in Part 7 and preparer information in Part 12.
How do I complete USCIS Form I-129?
First, type or print legibly in black ink and complete the basic form plus any required supplements. Fill Section 1 items, attach translations and the beneficiary’s transcripts, and use Part 9 for extra space if needed. Sign the Declaration in Part 7 and, if a preparer is used, complete Part 12 with signature and date. Submit the completed petition to USCIS.
What happens if USCIS Form I-129 is filed incorrectly?
If the form is not fully completed or required documents are missing, a final decision may be delayed or the petition may be denied, and penalties are described in the instructions.
Do I need to include the beneficiary’s expired passport number?
Source says to enter passport information even if expired. Check that the passport number is entered regardless of expiration.
How is the annual rate of pay calculated?
Source specifies salary must be expressed as an annual full‑time amount, not monthly. Convert monthly wages to an annual total before entering.
When is the ACWIA fee exemption applicable?
Source lists specific employer types that are exempt. Verify employer classification matches exemption criteria.
Can I submit original documents instead of copies?
Source says USCIS may request originals but generally copies are sufficient. Submit legible photocopies unless instructed otherwise.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.