Difference between I-797 and I-129

[Jayashree84]

Hi,

 

My new Employer filed I-797 application for my H1B transfer and visa extension. When I asked about I-129 form, I was told it is same as my H1B petition document.

 

Can you please tell me what is the difference between I-797 H1B Petition document and I-129 Form ?

Is it mandatory to submit I-129 Form ?

 

Thanks & Regards,

Jayashree

[jairichi]

Hi,

 

My new Employer filed I-797 application for my H1B transfer and visa extension. When I asked about I-129 form, I was told it is same as my H1B petition document.

 

Can you please tell me what is the difference between I-797 H1B Petition document and I-129 Form ?

Is it mandatory to submit I-129 Form ?

 

Thanks & Regards,

Jayashree

I129 is the application form for filing H1B. I797 is the receipt notice or approval notice for a H1B petition.

[catx]

Form I-129 is the "Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker" for all H-1B petitions (original +/- extension(s)) filed to the USCIS by employer sponsors.

 

Form I-797 (various types designated with a letter) is a notification document from the USCIS (e.g. notice of receipt, notice of action).  As posted on the USCIS web site "Form I-797 is NOT a form you can fill out."

 

Google, Bing, etc. are useful.

[Jayashree84]

Thank you all for clarifying this difference. This helped me.