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Original Date Announced
October 12, 2017USCIS starts requiring employers to file I-129 petitions (nonimmigrant worker) in the office having jurisdiction over the state where the company's primary office is located, rather than where the applicant is working or being trained. Petitioners located in FL, GA, NC, and TX are now required to file at the California Service Center. Beginning Nov. 1, 2017, USCIS said it would reject applications submitted to the wrong service center. [ID #484]
Go to article on uscis.govEffective Date
October 12, 2017Biden Administration Action: Proposed Revocation/Replacement/Modification
August 14, 20232023.08.14 Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: USCIS Online Account Access
The Department of Homeland Security published a 60-day notice proposing a revision of the myUSCIS online system that would allow employers to file Form I-129 petitions online. The website updates would enable companies to set up company administrator accounts and invite employees to collaborate on H–1B Registrations and Form I–129 petitions. This would effectively reverse the Trump Administration action identified in this entry by no longer requiring employers to file I-129 petitions in the field office closest to their company's primary office. Comments are open until October 13, 2023.
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Modified
March 26, 20242024.03.26 H-1B Form I-129 Filing Location Change and FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season Updates and Reminders
This Biden administration policy modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On March 26, 2024, USCIS announced that it changed the filing location for all paper-based H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions to USCIS lockbox locations from USCIS service centers. Starting April 1, 2024, all H-1B1 (HSC) petitions received at a USCIS service center will be rejected.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Partially in effectMost Recent Action
March 26, 2024 Action: Modified 2024.03.26 H-1B Form I-129 Filing Location Change and FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season Updates and RemindersAugust 14, 2023Acted on by Biden Administration
March 26, 2024Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: Agency DirectiveSubject Matter: Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedAgencies Affected: USCISAssociated or Derivative Policies