Key Points
- USCIS has released a new edition of Form I-129, dated January 20, 2025, which is now available for download.
- Only the January 20, 2025, edition will be accepted for filings received on or after July 30, 2025.
- Filings submitted by July 29, 2025, may use either the January 17, 2025, or January 20, 2025, edition of the rules.
- Inconsistent use of form pages from different editions will result in rejection.
- Affected categories include H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-3, TN, and other nonimmigrant visa types.
New Edition of Form I-129 Released
On June 30, 2025, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that a new edition of Form I-129 was available for download on their website. The latest Edition Date is January 20, 2025. Beginning July 30, 2025, only the new January 20, 2025, edition of Form I-129 will be accepted by USCIS.
What are the Form I-129 Changes?
This change affects a wide range of common nonimmigrant visa categories, including H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-3, TN, and others, making timely compliance essential for maintaining uninterrupted employment authorization for foreign workers.
USCIS has provided for a brief transitionary period leading up to the adoption date at the end of July. Cases filed on or before July 29, 2025, may be filed on either the new edition of Form I-129 or the previous January 17, 2025, edition of the form.
Form I-129 Edition Compliance Required by July 30, 2025
Any cases received by USCIS on or after July 30, 2025, that are filed using outdated versions will be rejected.
Additionally, consistency across all pages of the form is also a requirement of USCIS. Mismatched editions, such as submitting a signature page from the newer version with the rest of the form completed on the previous edition, will likely result in rejection.
Thus, employers should collaborate with their legal teams to ensure that signature pages for new cases are provided on the correct edition of the form, thereby avoiding any cases being rejected by USCIS.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. If you want guidance on how this information may impact your particular situation and are a client of the Corporate Immigration Partners, PC, consult your attorney. If you are not a CIPPC client, consult another qualified professional. This website does not create an attorney-client relationship with CIPPC.
