Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
An employer's petition to hire a foreign worker temporarily in a nonimmigrant classification (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and others).
General filing for many classifications; plus an Asylum Program Fee ($600 regular / $300 small employer / $0 nonprofit). H-1B, L, O and other classes have additional or different fees.
Add this to the fee calculator → · Official USCIS calculator
Verified from USCIS Form G-1055, edition 05/29/26. Fees change frequently — confirm before filing.
Who files Form I-129?
U.S. employers sponsoring a temporary foreign worker.
Most common I-129 mistakes that cause rejections
USCIS rejects or issues a Request for Evidence on filings every day for small, fixable errors. For I-129, the ones we see most often are:
- Using the wrong classification supplement for the visa type.
- Labor Condition Application (LCA) problems for H-1B petitions.
- Missing the authorized employer signature.
- Fee errors — omitting the Asylum Program Fee or classification-specific fees.
Check your I-129 before you file
Upload your completed I-129 and FormGuard reviews it for these exact rejection triggers in about a minute — for $39, one time. Your file is analyzed and never stored.
Check my I-129 for errors — $39 →How to file Form I-129 without getting rejected
- Use the current edition. USCIS rejects outdated editions — check the date printed at the bottom of the form against uscis.gov.
- Answer every field. Write “N/A” or “None” instead of leaving anything blank — blanks are a leading rejection cause.
- Be consistent. Your name, A-Number, and dates must match exactly across every form and supporting document.
- Sign and date correctly. An unsigned or wrongly-signed form is rejected outright.
- Translate foreign documents. Include a complete certified English translation of anything not in English.
- Pay the exact fee. Use the fee calculator and confirm on uscis.gov — the wrong amount gets the package returned.
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Form I-129 — frequently asked questions
How much is the Form I-129 filing fee?
The USCIS filing fee for I-129 is $1,015 (General filing for many classifications; plus an Asylum Program Fee ($600 regular / $300 small employer / $0 nonprofit). H-1B, L, O and other classes have additional or different fees), per the current G-1055 schedule (edition 05/29/26). Always confirm at the official USCIS fee calculator before filing.
Can I file Form I-129 online?
Online filing availability for I-129 varies — check uscis.gov for whether your situation qualifies. The fee is $1,015 either way.
What happens if my I-129 is rejected?
USCIS returns rejected forms without processing them, and filing fees are generally non-refundable — so you lose time and may have to pay again. Most rejections come from small, avoidable errors, which is why a pre-filing review is worth it.
FormGuard is a private, independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any U.S. government agency. FormGuard is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This page provides general information only; fees and form requirements come from published USCIS sources and change frequently — always verify current details at the official government website, uscis.gov, and consult a licensed immigration attorney for complex matters.