I-129 processing time (2026)
Work Visa Petition (incl. H-1B)
Current national processing time
3 to 8 months
All classifications (incl. H-1B) · reported range · Manifest Law
as of July 2026Source: manifestlaw.com
Form I-129 is filed by an employer to sponsor a temporary worker in classifications such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN. Premium processing is available for many categories and changes the timeline substantially.
What the sources say
We show every source we have, with its date. Trackers report different statistics (a median versus a reported range), so the numbers can differ. That transparency is the point.
| Category | Figure | Basis | As of | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All classifications (incl. H-1B) | 3.4 months | median | July 2026 | Boundless |
| All classifications (incl. H-1B) | 3 to 8 months | range | July 2026 | Manifest Law |
Estimate your I-129 timeline
Enter your filing (receipt) date. We apply the current Work Visa Petition (incl. H-1B) range of 3 to 8 months to estimate a completion window.
Common questions
- How long does I-129 take?
- As of July 2026, the I-129 (Work Visa Petition (incl. H-1B)) processing time is 3 to 8 months, per Manifest Law. Times change monthly; check the current figure and your case status.
- What is I-129?
- Form I-129 is filed by an employer to sponsor a temporary worker in classifications such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN. Premium processing is available for many categories and changes the timeline substantially.
- Why do I-129 processing times vary?
- Processing time depends on the category, the office handling the case, current caseloads, and whether premium processing applies. The range shown reflects recent reported cases, not a guarantee for any individual case.
- Is the I-129 processing time getting faster or slower?
- We date every figure and refresh it on a schedule so you can see the current number. Compare the "as of" date here with older pages elsewhere, which often show stale figures.