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I-129 processing time

Short answer

USCIS took a median of 9.5 months to complete I-129 petitions for temporary workers (H-1B, L-1, O-1 and others) between April and June 2026. USCIS publishes that figure for all visa types together, not by classification. With premium processing, USCIS acts within 15 business days for a fee of $2,965 for H-1B, L, O and most other types ($1,780 for H-2B and R).

Updated · Sources

The I-129 is the petition a US employer files to bring in or keep a temporary worker: H-1B, L-1, O-1, E, P, TN, H-2B, R and others. USCIS’s quarterly data has one median for all of them. For your type of visa and service center, the faster route is often premium processing. This page has the current figures, the premium rules and the fees.

How long the I-129 takes now

USCIS figures for April to June 2026 (All Forms by Quarter, FY2026 Q3):

I-129, Apr–Jun 2026Figure
Median time to complete9.5 months
Received220,566
Completed183,308 (143,748 approved, 39,560 denied)
Pending at the end of June192,712
  • One figure for every visa type. The data has a single I-129 row. It doesn’t say how long an L-1 takes compared with an O-1. For that, pick Form I-129, the classification and the service center on the USCIS processing times page.
  • Approval share. 78% of the petitions completed that quarter were approved (our arithmetic: 143,748 of 183,308).
  • Our rough indicator: 192,712 pending against 183,308 completions is about one quarter of work at that pace. That is our math from USCIS counts, not a USCIS processing time.

Service center pages: California, Nebraska, Potomac, Texas and Vermont.

Premium processing for the I-129

Premium processing is Form I-907. For the I-129, the clock is 15 business days. Longer clocks apply only to other forms (USCIS premium processing page).

I-129 classificationPremium feeClock
H-1B$2,96515 business days
E, H-3, L, O, P, Q, TN$2,96515 business days
H-2B, R$1,78015 business days

Fees from the G-1055, checked Nov. 4, 2026. They are the same on paper and online, and there is no fee waiver.

The rules USCIS lists:

  • When the clock starts: when a properly completed I-907 arrives at the correct filing address.
  • What counts as action: an approval, a denial, a request for evidence, a notice of intent to deny, or opening an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation. If USCIS doesn’t act in time, it refunds the premium fee.
  • After a request for evidence: the 15-day clock stops and resets. A new 15 business days start when USCIS receives the employer’s response, so premium processing doesn’t always mean a decision within three weeks.
  • Who files it: the petitioner, or its attorney or representative. The worker may pay the fee but can’t sign or file the I-907.
  • Not eligible: I-129 petitions asking for a change or an initial grant of status for workers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • Expedite requests: generally not available for classifications that can use premium processing, except for nonprofits.
  • Family members: dependents’ I-539s can’t be premium processed on their own. An H-4 or L-2 I-539 or I-765 filed together with the I-129 is decided together with it (I-129 page). The I-539 median was 5.7 months in April to June 2026. More on H-4 EAD processing time.

You can add premium processing after filing: send the I-907 with a copy of the I-129 receipt notice, following the I-129 filing addresses. For a pending I-129 with a receipt number starting with IOE, many classifications can also request it online (forms you can file online).

Filing fees by classification

From the G-1055 (edition 10/26/26), checked Nov. 4, 2026:

ClassificationPaperOnlineSmall employer or nonprofit
H-1B$780$730$460
L$1,385$1,335$695
O$1,055$1,005$530
E, H-3, P, Q, TN$1,015$965$510
R$510$510—

On top of that:

  • Asylum Program Fee: $600, or $300 for small employers and $0 for nonprofits.
  • H-1B: a $500 fraud prevention fee and an ACWIA fee of $1,500 or $750. Certain employers also pay a $4,000 fee under Pub. L. 114-113.
  • L: a $500 fraud prevention fee. Certain employers also pay a $4,500 fee under Pub. L. 114-113.
  • The $100,000 H-1B payment: the fee table still lists it, payable through pay.gov. The G-1055 also says a federal court vacated the guidance on June 8, 2026 (State of California v. Mullin, D. Mass.), and the First Circuit denied a stay on July 24, 2026. DHS says it is complying and plans to collect the payment if the order is lifted. See H-1B for what it means for a petition.

Filing changes this fall

From the I-129 page:

  • New filing addresses since Oct. 7, 2026. USCIS accepts petitions sent to the old locations if postmarked on or before Nov. 9, 2026.
  • New edition required. From Nov. 9, 2026, USCIS accepts only the 09/09/26 edition of the form.
  • Online filing. USCIS accepts the I-129 online for non-cap H-1B petitions and for cap petitions whose registration was selected. Other classifications, such as E petitions, can use the PDF upload option. Form I-129H2A is filed only online by PDF upload; an H-2A petition on paper uses the regular I-129 (forms you can file online).

After the decision

Check the case with its receipt number at USCIS case status. The YourCaseStatus app (coming soon) will alert you when your status changes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the I-129 take without premium processing?

USCIS took a median of 9.5 months to complete I-129 petitions in April to June 2026, across all classifications. For the range at a given service center and visa type, use the USCIS processing times page.

How fast is I-129 premium processing?

USCIS takes action within 15 business days of receiving a properly completed I-907 at the correct address. The action can be an approval, a denial, a request for evidence, a notice of intent to deny or opening a fraud investigation. If it misses the clock, it refunds the premium fee.

How much is premium processing for an H-1B?

$2,965 on the G-1055 checked Nov. 4, 2026. The same fee applies to E, H-3, L, O, P, Q and TN petitions; H-2B and R petitions pay $1,780.

Can the worker file premium processing?

No. USCIS says the beneficiary can't sign or file the I-907, although anyone involved may pay the fee. The petitioning employer, or its attorney or representative, files it.

Is the $100,000 H-1B payment still required?

It is in litigation. The fee schedule still lists it, but a federal court vacated the guidance on June 8, 2026, and the First Circuit denied a stay on July 24, 2026. DHS says it will try to collect it if the order is lifted. Check the G-1055 and our H-1B page before filing.

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