# Effective Date of the Revised Form I-129W
**AGENCY:**
Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice.
**ACTION:**
Notice.
**SUMMARY:**
This notice announces that, effective April 13, 2001, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) will only accept the December 18, 2000, version of Form I-129W, H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption. Prior editions of the form will not be accepted. Form I-129W is a supplemental form designed by the INS to capture essential information required for the adjudication of Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. The information captured on Form I-129W is required as a result of recent legislation.
**DATES:**
This notice is effective April 13, 2001.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
John W. Brown, Adjudications Officer, Immigration and Naturalization Service, 425 I Street, NW., Room 3214, Washington, DC 20536, telephone (202) 353-8177.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Background**
**Who Is an H-1B Nonimmigrant?**
An H-1B nonimmigrant is an alien employed in a specialty occupation or a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability. A specialty occupation is an occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge and attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty as a minimum for entry into the United States.
**What Is a Form I-129W?**
Form I-129W, H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption, is a supplemental form designed by the INS to capture essential information required for the adjudication of Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. The information captured on Form I-129W is required as a result of the passage of three bills: The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, Public Law 105-277 (ACWIA); An Act to increase the amount of fees charged to employers who are petitioners for the employment of H-1B nonimmigrant workers, Public Law 106-311; and the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act, Public Law 106-313 (AC21). The Form I-129W also captures information required by the INS to compile reports required by Congress. The INS is presently modifying Form I-129 in order to capture the information requested on Form I-129W. When this effort is completed, the Form I-129W will no longer be used. Once Form I-129 is revised, INS will publish these proposed changes in a future edition of the *Federal Register* for public comment in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
**What Does This Notice Do?**
This notice announces that as of April 13, 2001, the INS will only accept December 18, 2000, versions of Form I-129W. Earlier versions of the Form I-129W that are submitted after April 13, 2001 will not be accepted. The INS will reject a Form I-129 that is not accompanied by the correct version of Form I-129W.
Dated: March 23, 2001.
Mary Ann Wyrsch,
Acting Commissioner, Immigration and Naturalization Service.