USCIS may continue to use the previously approved instrument through December 22, 2016. USCIS
will begin using the 12/23/16 version of the form and instructions on December 23, 2016 and
the 01/17/17 version as of January 17, 2017. Approved for two years only due to partial
GPEA compliance.
table that charts list comparision
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
12/31/2018
36 Months From Approved
12/31/2016
333,891
0
333,891
1,631,400
0
1,631,400
78,027,021
0
75,001,935
USCIS needs the information collected through this form and accompanying supplements to determine whether the foreign national beneficiary (ies) is(are) eligible for the nonimmigrant status being sought and that the petitioning employer is eligible to hire the foreign worker. The statutory authority is section 214(c)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (Act) and the regulatory authority is 8 CFR 214.2 (h)(2)(i)(A), (l)(2)(i), (o)(2)(i), (p)(2)(i), (q)(2)(i), and (r)(3). A U.S. employer, or their agent, in some instances, may file a petition for nonimmigrant worker to employ foreign nationals under the following nonimmigrant classifications: H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-2, P-3, P-1S, P-2S, P-3S, Q-1, or R-1 nonimmigrant worker.
The collection of this information is also required from a U.S. employer on a petition for an extension of stay or change of status for E-1, E-2, E-3, Free Trade H-1B1 Chile/Singapore nonimmigrants and TN (NAFTA workers) who are in the United States. A Form I-129 is not required to apply for an E-1 or E-2 nonimmigrant visa or admission as a TN nonimmigrant. A petition is only required to apply for a change to one of these classifications. The statutory authority for collecting information for the E-3s and H-1B1 classifications can be found in section 101(a)(15)(E)(iii) and (H)(i)(b1) of the Act. The additional regulatory authority for collection of this information for E-1s, E-2s, and TNs is found in 8 CFR 214.2(e)(1) and 8 CFR 214.6.
In addition to this collection serving as the tool to collect data on the form and the supplements themselves, it also provides the avenue through which employers or agents submit documentary evidence to establish eligibility for the nonimmigrant classification being sought.
Biometric information is required to be collected from a beneficiary in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) or if requested in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(b)(9). DHS may collect and store for present or future use, by electronic or other means, the biometric information submitted by an individual. DHS may use this biometric information to conduct background and security checks, adjudicate the nonimmigrant petition, and perform other functions related to administering and enforcing the immigrant and nationality laws.
USCIS uses the data collected on this form to determine eligibility for the requested nonimmigrant petition and/or requests to extend or change nonimmigrant status. (See USCIS response to Question 1 of this supporting statement, above). An employer uses this form to petition USCIS for an alien to temporarily enter as a nonimmigrant. An employer also uses this form to request an extension of stay or change of status on behalf of the alien worker. The form serves the purpose of standardizing requests for nonimmigrant workers, and ensuring that basic information required for assessing eligibility is provided by U.S. employers while seeking that beneficiaries be classified under certain nonimmigrant employment categories. It also assists USCIS in compiling information required by Congress annually to assess effectiveness and utilization of certain nonimmigrant classifications.
There has been an increase to the estimated cost burden previously reported for this collection of information. This increase is due to better estimates in out-pocket-expenses, including postage incurred by respondents, as well as an increase in the hourly wage rate for services such as document preparation. There is no change in the information being collected.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
I129-INS-TOC-Current-FeeRule-12152016.docx
SORN BIS_73 FR 56596_29SEP2008.pdf
Reference Cites.doc
Biometrics Processing