USCIS Announces Revised Form I-129 Effective January 17, 2025
Date : December 26, 2024 By
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the release of a revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, aligning with the recently implemented H-1B and H-2 modernization final rules. This updated form, with an edition date of 01/17/25, will be mandatory for all petitioners starting January 17, 2025.
Key Updates on the Revised Form I-129:
- Immediate Implementation:
- Effective January 17, 2025, USCIS will reject any Form I-129 petitions submitted using the prior 04/01/24 edition.
- There will be no grace period for transitioning to the updated form.
- Preview Availability:
- A preview version of the 01/17/25 edition of Form I-129, along with its detailed instructions, is now available on the USCIS website.
- Petitioners are advised not to file the revised form before the effective date. Forms received before January 17, 2025, will be rejected.
- Filing Guidelines:
- The 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129 will be accepted if received before January 17, 2025.
- From January 17, 2025, onwards, only the 01/17/25 edition will be accepted.
Impact of the Modernization Rules: The revision of Form I-129 supports the updated regulations under the H-1B and H-2 modernization rules. These updates aim to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and better align with current immigration policies and labor market needs.
Next Steps for Petitioners: Petitioners intending to file Form I-129 on or after January 17, 2025, should:
- Familiarize themselves with the revised form and its instructions, available on the USCIS website.
- Ensure that all filings comply with the updated requirements to avoid rejections or processing delays.
