View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package
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Please note that the OMB number and expiration date may not have been determined when this Information Collection Request and associated Information Collection forms were submitted to OMB. The approved OMB number and expiration date may be found by clicking on the Notice of Action link below.
View ICR - OIRA Conclusion
OMB Control No:
1615-0009
ICR Reference No:
202508-1615-003
Status:
Active
Previous ICR Reference No:
202412-1615-006
Agency/Subagency:
DHS/USCIS
Agency Tracking No:
I-129
Title:
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Type of Information Collection:
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
Common Form ICR:
No
Type of Review Request:
Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action:
Approved without change
Conclusion Date:
08/13/2025
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)
Date Received in OIRA:
08/13/2025
Terms of Clearance:
The burden change recorded in this change request is a correction to a prior data error and is not a result of the change being approved.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
Expiration Date
12/31/2027
12/31/2027
12/31/2027
Responses
572,606
0
572,606
Time Burden (Hours)
3,026,399
0
3,032,605
Cost Burden (Dollars)
259,422,495
0
149,694,919
Abstract:
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.
Authorizing Statute(s):
US Code:
8 USC 1101
Citations for New Statutory Requirements:
US Code: 8 USC 1101
Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:
Stage of Rulemaking:
Federal Register Citation:
Date:
1615-AC70
Final or interim final rulemaking
89 FR 103054
12/18/2024
Federal Register Notices & Comments
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR?
No
Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR:
3
IC Title
Form No.
Form Name
I-129H2A PDFi Filing
I-129H2A (PDFi), I-129H2A (PDFi)
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: H-2A Classification
,
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: H-2A Classification
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (e-file)
I-129 e-file
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (paper)
I-129 (paper)
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
ICR Summary of Burden
Total Approved
Previously Approved
Change Due to New Statute
Change Due to Agency Discretion
Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses
572,606
572,606
0
0
0
0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)
3,026,399
3,032,605
0
-6,206
0
0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)
259,422,495
149,694,919
0
109,727,576
0
0
Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion:
Yes
Burden Increase Due to:
Miscellaneous Actions
Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion:
Yes
Burden Reduction Due to:
Using Information Technology
Short Statement:
The information collection for the H-2A Classification has been updated to include the electronic filing option of PDFi using Form I-129H2A, which allows the petitioner to upload a completed Form I-129H2A .pdf of their application and any supporting documentation, pay any required fee, and file the petition as a .pdf online. This process reduces the amount of time and money associated with printing, copying and mailing their application. USCIS is reporting a decrease in the estimated annual hour burden to respondents for this collection of information as a result of this action. The decrease in the estimated annual hour burden to respondents is due to a decrease in the average burden per response for a percentage of respondents estimated to file Form I-129H2A using the PDFi process. The PDFi process is decreasing the average hour burden per response for H-2A Classification respondents using Form I-129H2A by approximately 15.6 minutes. For petitioners filing for the H-2A Classification, it is estimated that 90% of respondents will file Form I-129H2A using PDFi and 10% of respondents will file the Form I-129 (H-2A Classification) paper filed petition. USCIS is reporting a decrease in the estimated annual cost burden to respondents for this collection of information as a result of this action. The decrease in the estimated annual cost burden to respondents is due to a decrease in the estimated number of respondents that will submit the Form I-129 paper filed petition for H-2A Classification. For petitioners filing for the H-2A Classification, it is estimated that 90% of respondents will file Form I-129H2A using the PDFi process and 10% of respondents will file the Form I-129 (H-2A Classification) paper filed petition. The previously reported estimated annual cost burden to respondents was incorrectly reported and an erroneous value was entered in the submission system, showing an incorrect decreased value.
Annual Cost to Federal Government:
$3,434,894,298
Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods?
No
Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see
OMB Circular No. A-130
for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
Yes
Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see
5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3)
)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.
Yes
Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]?
No
Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]?
No
Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)?
No
Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response?
No
Agency Contact:
Samantha Stout 704 762-0352 samantha.j.stout@uscis.dhs.gov
Common Form ICR:
No
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:
(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
(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;
(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
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.
Certification Date:
08/13/2025
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