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If you wish to apply for a US work visa through USCIS, such as H or L, you must complete the I-129 application form. Below you will learn everything you need to know about the I-129 form for temporary work stays in the United States.

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What is the I-129 form?

The I-129 application form is officially called Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. This form is used to submit numerous work visa applications for the United States to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). These are petitions for temporary work stays in the USA as well as status extension or change of status applications.

Bild von einer Person am Laptop, die das I-129 ausfüllt

The following work visa categories are applied for using the I-129 form:

  • 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
  • R-1

In addition, the I-129 form is used when applying for extension of status or change of status to one of the above categories or for applications for adjustment of status to one of the following categories:

  • E-1, E-2, E-3
  • H-1B1
  • TN
How and where is the I-129 filed?

Form I-129 is submitted to a USCIS Service Center in the regular application procedure (regular processing). Which USCIS Service Center is responsible depends, for example, on which nonimmigrant visa is being applied for and, if applicable, where the US employer is based or has its headquarters in the United States.

In principle, there are three possible points of contact for filing the I-129 form:

  • California Service Center (CSC)
  • Vermont Service Center (VSC) and
  • Nebraska Service Center (NSC).

If you file your petition at the wrong USCIS Service Center, your petition may be denied. To avoid delays, we always recommend checking the official USCIS website to determine the current responsibility.

Please note: If you are applying for a work visa, you should generally be prepared for very long processing times. The processing times for the respective work visa categories vary depending on the USCIS Service Center.

In addition to the regular application procedure just mentioned, the USCIS offers a Ppremium Processing Service – particularly as a result of the sometimes very long processing times. For a fee of 2,805 $ and the submission of the I-907 form (Request for Premium Processing Service), such applications are processed by the US immigration authority USCIS within 15 business days (provided there are no queries). It is also possible to expedite regularly filed applications by upgrading to the Premium Processing Service by submitting the form and fee by check.

Advice: Complete all sections of the form and do not forget to sign your form. Unsigned forms will be rejected.

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