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
12/31/2027
12/31/2027
12/31/2027
572,606
0
572,606
3,026,399
0
3,032,605
259,422,495
0
149,694,919
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.
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.
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:
(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;
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.
Form I-129H2A (PDFi) I-129H2A PDFi Filing
I-129(H2A)-83C Supporting Statement 20250813.docx
SORN-STATE-05, Overseas Citizens Service Records and Other Overseas Records, September 8, 2016, 81 FR 62235..pdf
I-129H2A PDFi Filing