Form I-129. Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
The I-129 form is a Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, which is used to request permission from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to allow a nonimmigrant worker to enter the country temporarily for employment purposes.
The form consists of several parts, including general information about the petitioner and beneficiary, details about the proposed employment, and information about the petitioner's qualifications and eligibility. Important fields on the form include the employer's name and address, the job title and duties, the proposed period of employment, and the beneficiary's personal and immigration information.
The parties involved in the I-129 form are the petitioner, who is typically the employer or sponsor, and the beneficiary, who is the foreign national seeking temporary employment in the United States.
When compiling the form, the petitioner will be required to provide a variety of data, including information about the employer and beneficiary, details about the proposed employment, and supporting documentation such as letters of recommendation, educational credentials, and evidence of the employer's ability to pay the beneficiary's wages.
Application examples of the I-129 form include requests for H-1B visas for skilled workers, L-1A and L-1B visas for intra-company transferees, O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability, and P-1 visas for athletes and entertainers. Practice and use cases include companies that need to bring in foreign workers to fill specialized positions or to transfer employees from foreign offices to the United States.
Benefits of the I-129 form include the ability for companies to hire foreign workers with specialized skills or experience, which can help them remain competitive in their industries. However, challenges and risks include the complex and time-consuming nature of the application process and the possibility of denial or delays in processing.
Related and alternative forms to the I-129 include the I-140, which is used for immigrant worker petitions, and the DS-160, which is used for nonimmigrant visa applications. The main difference between the I-129 and these forms is that the I-129 is specifically for nonimmigrant worker petitions.
The I-129 form can have a significant impact on the future of the participants, as it can determine whether a foreign worker is able to enter the United States temporarily for employment purposes. If the petition is approved, the beneficiary will be able to work for the petitioner for the period specified on the form.
The I-129 form is typically submitted to USCIS by mail, along with supporting documentation and filing fees. Once the form is processed, it will be stored in the USCIS database and the petitioner and beneficiary will be notified of the decision.