On August 3, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to the way it issues receipts for L-1 nonimmigrant intracompany transferees under a previously approved blanket L petition.

How will the change be reflected? Effective immediately, when filing Form I-129S – a Nonimmigrant Petition based on a Blanket L Petition – and Form I-129 the employer will receive two notices: a receipt notice and an approval notice if the petition is approved. 

The employer will no longer receive an endorsed I-129S in conjunction with the Form I-129 approval. Instead, a separate I-129S approval notice will be issued and will serve as the endorsement and as evidence that a USCIS officer has determined the beneficiary is eligible for L-1 status based on an approved blanket L petition. A copy of that notice will also be provided to the beneficiary to be included with their visa and/or admission papers.

This change will improve the processing of Form I-129S for employers. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection not confirmed if consulate officers are aware of the new process.