USCIS has released an updated version of Form I‑129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, which employers will be required to use on relevant petitions from July 30, 2025, must be filed using the new edition.
New Version of Form I-129
On June 30, 2025, the agency announced that the new I-129 edition, “01/20/25”, is now available on its website.
Form I‑129 is used to request a wide range of temporary worker classifications, including H‑1B specialty occupations, L‑1 intracompany transferees, O‑1 individuals with extraordinary ability, E‑3 Australian professionals, TN professionals from Canada or Mexico, and many others. Petitioners also use the form to seek extensions or changes of status for workers already in the United States.
USCIS has set a firm compliance deadline: petitions received on or after July 30, 2025 must be filed using the new 01/20/25 edition. During a short transition period, submissions postmarked on or before July 29, 2025 may use either the new edition or the previous version dated January 17, 2025. Any filings using earlier editions after the deadline will be rejected.
USCIS also warns that all pages of the submission must match the same edition. Mixing a signature page from one version with the body pages of another will likely result in a rejection.
This update is part of USCIS’s broader efforts to modernize and streamline petition processing. The 01/20/25 edition includes formatting and instruction changes designed to support future electronic processing.
Need assistance?
Failure to meet the July 30 deadline, or submitting mismatched editions, may result in delays or application rejection, potentially disrupting employment authorization.
Employers will need to take action to ensure they are using the correct version, confirm the edition date at the bottom of each page and submit a complete and consistent form. Internal checklists and templates should also be updated, as the revised form affects nearly every nonimmigrant classification commonly used for foreign talent.
For specialist guidance on how to comply with your obligations, contact us.
Author
Founder & Principal Attorney Nita Nicole Upadhye is a recognized leader in the field of US business immigration law, (The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Who's Who Legal and AILA) and an experienced and trusted advisor to large multinational corporates through to SMEs. She provides strategic immigration advice and specialist application support to corporations and professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, artists, actors and athletes from across the globe to meet their US-bound talent mobility needs.
Nita is an active public speaker, thought leader, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.