USCIS has announced that beginning July 30, 2025, it will only accept the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-129, the form used to petition for certain nonimmigrant worker classifications, including H-2A and H-2B visa categories. 

Although there are no substantive changes between the new 01/20/25 edition and the prior 01/17/25 version, petitioners must use the updated form to avoid rejection. The edition date can be verified by checking the bottom left corner of the form and its instructions. 

USCIS will continue accepting the previous version only through July 29, 2025. After that date, petitions filed with the older version will not be accepted. 

What this means for employers:
H-2A employers and others who submit Form I-129 on behalf of agricultural workers should immediately begin using the 01/20/25 edition to prevent any processing delays. Always download the latest version of the form directly from USCIS.gov prior to filing. Staying current with required forms helps ensure timely petition approval and avoids unnecessary rejections. 

If you have any questions about the new Form I-29, please contact the Western Growers H-2A Services team. 

For information about Western Growers H-2A Services, contact [email protected].