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USCISEmployment Authorization

Official form guide

Form I-129S: Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition

Form I-129S is the Nonimmigrant Petition Based on a Blanket L Petition. Employers use it to request L‑1A or L‑1B status for a beneficiary covered under a previously approved blanket L petition.

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Form Overview

USCIS Form I-129S - Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition

Form I-129S is the Nonimmigrant Petition Based on a Blanket L Petition. Employers use it to request L‑1A or L‑1B status for a beneficiary covered under a previously approved blanket L petition.

It captures the employer’s blanket L petition number, beneficiary’s personal data, job title, duties, and intended U.S. work location.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1A single typo in the blanket petition number can invalidate the whole filing.
  • 2Using an expired blanket L petition number
  • 3Mismatched beneficiary name or passport number
  • 4Incorrect job title or duties that don’t match the blanket criteria
  • 5Omitting the required fee or using the wrong payment method

Plain English

If a company has a blanket L approval, it files this short form to tell USCIS that a specific employee will be coming to the U.S. on an L‑1 visa. The form confirms the employee meets the blanket criteria and provides basic job details.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File after the employee receives the employer’s internal approval and before the employee’s travel to the U.S.; there is no statutory deadline, but filing should precede the visa interview and entry.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

petitionlocation

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when the employer has an approved blanket L petition and needs to petition for a specific employee.
  • Do not use for first‑time L‑1 petitions; those require Form I‑129 with a different supplement.
  • If the employee is applying for a change of status inside the U.S., consider Form I‑129 (non‑blanket) instead.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

First‑time L‑1 petition

No blanket number exists

✓ Verify eligibility before filing

Form I‑129 with Supplement L

Change of status from another nonimmigrant

Different evidence required

✓ Confirm current status is eligible

Form I‑129 (regular)

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed filing deadline, but the petition should be submitted before the employee’s planned travel and visa interview. Delaying past the intended start date can require a new filing.

  • —Number of beneficiaries | Multiply by $460 per petition | Total filing fee | Verify fee matches current USCIS schedule

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Blanket L petition number

Approved I‑797 notice · Employer’s records

⚠ Wrong number entered✕ High
2

Beneficiary passport copy

Valid passport biographic page · Employee’s passport

⚠ Expired passport used✕ Medium
3

Job offer letter

Detailed description of duties, location, salary · HR file

⚠ Duties not matching L‑1 criteria✕ High
4

Employer support letter

Confirmation of blanket L eligibility · Company letterhead

⚠ Missing employer signature✕ Medium
5

Fee receipt

USCIS payment confirmation · Bank or credit card statement

⚠ Fee amount incorrect✕ High

Before you submit

  1. 1Use the latest I‑129S edition.
  2. 2Confirm blanket L petition is active and number is correct.
  3. 3Enter beneficiary name exactly as on passport.
  4. 4Check job title and duties match the blanket L requirements.
  5. 5Attach a copy of the blanket L approval notice.
  6. 6Include a signed fee receipt for the correct amount.
  7. 7Sign and date the form as the authorized employer representative.
  8. 8Use black ink or approved electronic format.
  9. 9Mail to the correct lockbox address or submit via approved e‑filing portal.
  10. 10Retain copies of the entire packet for your records.
  11. 11Record the USCIS receipt number once received.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the current I‑129S PDF from USCIS.
  2. 2Gather the blanket L approval notice and employee’s passport copy.
  3. 3Complete all fields, double‑checking the petition number and beneficiary details.
  4. 4Prepare the filing fee payment and receipt.
  5. 5Sign the form and assemble the supporting documents in the order specified in the instructions.
  6. 6Mail the package to the lockbox address with tracking, or upload via the e‑filing system if available.
  7. 7Monitor the USCIS case status using the receipt number.

Known limitations

  1. 1USCIS does not provide an online fee calculator for I‑129S; fees must be checked manually.
  2. 2Electronic filing is only accepted at certain service centers; many employers still must mail paper copies.
  3. 3The form does not collect detailed wage information; that is covered by the blanket L petition itself.
  4. 4No automatic deadline alerts are provided by USCIS for this form.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

9 fields

Employee Info

3 items

Full Legal Name

Your legal first, middle, and last name as shown on your immigration documents.

Requiredtext
Date of Birth

MM/DD/YYYY from your passport or birth certificate.

Requireddate
SSN or A-Number

Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number.

text

Work Authorization

1 items

Work Authorization Status

Select your status: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or alien authorized to work.

Requiredselect

Documents

1 items

Acceptable Documents

List A (identity + work authorization) OR List B (identity) + List C (work authorization) documents.

Requiredtext

Employer Info

2 items

Employer Name and Business Address

The hiring employer's legal name and physical address.

Requiredtext
Employer EIN

The employer's federal tax ID number.

Requiredein

Signatures

2 items

Employee Signature

Certifies the information provided is true and correct.

Requiredsignature
Employer Signature

Authorized representative certifies document examination.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
USCIS

Check the USCIS website for the most recent I‑129S edition and fee schedule. The form is actively accepted as of the latest published lockbox address.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – confirm the form is the most recent version (check the top of the PDF).
  • Fee – verify the current filing fee on the USCIS fee schedule page.
  • Mailing address – use the lockbox address listed in the latest instructions.
  • Signature block – ensure the authorized signatory signs and dates the form.
  • Electronic filing option – confirm if the service center accepts e‑filing for I‑129S.

Form Preview

Form I-129S page 1

Page 1

Form I-129S page 2

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Quick Facts

The U.S. employer (or its authorized representative) files the form on behalf of the foreign worker.
It captures the employer’s blanket L petition number, beneficiary’s personal data, job title, duties, and intended U.S. work location.
File after the employee receives the employer’s internal approval and before the employee’s travel to the U.S.; there is no statutory deadline, but filing should precede the visa interview and entry.
Mail the completed form to the USCIS lockbox address listed in the current I‑129S instructions, or submit electronically if the service center accepts e‑filing for this form.
Errors can cause a denial, delay the employee’s entry, or trigger a request for evidence that stalls the whole assignment.
1. Verify the employer’s blanket L petition is still valid. 2. Download the latest I‑129S edition and fill all fields in black ink or electronically. 3. Attach the required supporting documents (e.g., copy of the blanket L approval, job offer letter). 4. Pay the filing fee and include the receipt. 5. Sign the form and send it to the correct USCIS address.

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Blank Form I-129S↗Instructions↗

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After you file

  1. 1Save the receipt notice and record the case number.
  2. 2Set a calendar reminder to check case status weekly.
  3. 3If a Request for Evidence arrives, respond within the given timeframe.
  4. 4Notify the employee once USCIS approves the petition.
  5. 5Keep the approved I‑797 and all supporting documents for the employee’s visa interview.
  6. 6Update internal HR tracking to reflect the approved L‑1 status.
  7. 7Archive the complete filing packet for at least five years.

Sources

  • SRCForm I-129S official USCIS PDFprovides purpose and filing instructions.
  • SRCUSCIS Fee Scheduleconfirms current filing fee.
  • SRCUSCIS Lockbox Addresses pagelists mailing address for I‑129S.
  • SRCUSCIS Policy Manualexplains blanket L petition requirements.
  • SRCUSCIS Case Status Onlinemethod to track receipt number.
  • SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official sourceelectronic filing availability for I‑129S.
  • SRCNot clearly stated in the provided official sourceexact deadline for filing relative to employee start date.

Common confusion points

Blanket L vs. regular L – employees think any L‑1 uses I‑129S; verify blanket approval first.

Fee amount – fee changes annually; always check the latest schedule.

Signature authority – some sign on behalf of the company without proper POA; ensure signatory is authorized.

Mailing address – USCIS updates lockbox addresses; use the address in the current instructions.

Beneficiary name spelling – mismatch with passport leads to denial; copy name exactly.

Job duties description – vague duties cause RFE; use language from the blanket L petition.

Multiple beneficiaries – each requires a separate I‑129S; do not combine on one form.

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Form I-129 (regular) – used for first‑time L‑1 petitions.

Current

I-129S

After

Form I-539 – if the employee later seeks extension or change of status.

Often used with

Form I-797C – receipt notice after filing I‑129S.

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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