USCIS uses Form I-129 and accompanying
supplements to determine whether the petitioner and foreign
national beneficiary(ies) is (are) eligible for the nonimmigrant
classification. A U.S. employer, or 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. The non-substantial change is adding the electronic
filing option.
There is an increase in the
estimated hour burden that results for the H-1B Final Rule. This
result stems from an increase in the estimated average burden per
response, specifically for the H Classification Supplement to Form
I-129, from 2.07 hours to 2.3 hours. USCIS has updated the
estimated number of respondents to include Form I-129 e-filings
since the NPRM published. There are no other program changes. After
the publication of the NPRM, DHS published the Fee Schedule Final
Rule (“Fee Rule”) 89 FR 6194 on January 31, 2024, and that rule
went into effect on April 1, 2024. Subsequently, DHS updated the
information collection, and the baseline estimated total number of
respondents, and the amount of time estimated for an average
respondent to respond, to reflect the changes to the information
collection approved in connection with the Fee Rule. As a result,
the estimated total public burden in hours and cost associated with
the information collection has changed since the publication of the
NPRM. USCIS Form I-129 (paper-filings) estimated time burden
average per response is 2.487 hours (current) + .067 hours
(increase from the NPRM) = 2.55 hours. On April 1, 2024, DHS also
began accepting online filing for H-1B cap petitions and since
included the estimated total respondents and the estimated time
burden average per response to account for electronic filing
submissions since the publication of the NPRM.
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.