The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has introduced an updated Form I-129 for H-1B petitions. The revision follows the rollout of a wage based lottery system this year. The new system gives higher chances to higher paid roles. This marks a significant shift in H-1B selection.
The updated Form I-129 will come into effect from April 1. Petitions filed using the previous edition will be rejected. Employers must now provide detailed information about education, experience, special skills, and supervisory duties linked to the role.
The added documentation requirement aims to ensure transparency in wage selection. Authorities want employers to justify the wage level assigned to each role. This step may reduce misuse of the system. Inflated wages and questionable job roles could face stricter scrutiny.
For cap subject petitions, another important change has been introduced. Employers must now select one of the four wage levels directly in the form. This information will be matched with the wage level declared during H-1B registration. Any mismatch may raise compliance concerns.
H-1B registrations for FY2027 will open on March 4 and close on March 19, 2026. Selected candidates can file their petitions from April 1. All filings must use the revised Form I-129. Older versions will not be accepted.
US employers and Indian professionals planning to apply this year must review all details carefully. Wage levels and job descriptions should match across documents. Discrepancies between registration, the Labor Condition Application, and Form I-129 may lead to delays or denials.
