Navigating the world of U.S. immigration can feel like a puzzle, and one piece that often causes a bit of head-scratching is the I-129 petition. This form is used by U.S. employers to petition for a foreign worker to come to the United States temporarily. To make sure your petition is processed smoothly, a well-crafted cover letter is crucial. This article will break down what makes a good I-129 Cover Letter Sample, helping you understand its purpose and components.
Understanding the I-129 Cover Letter
Think of the I-129 cover letter as your introduction to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It's your chance to give them a clear overview of your petition and highlight why it should be approved. The importance of a well-written cover letter cannot be overstated, as it can significantly influence the initial impression USCIS officers have of your case. It’s not just a formality; it’s a tool to present your information clearly and concisely.
A good cover letter typically includes:
- The petitioner's information (your company's details).
- The beneficiary's information (the foreign worker's details).
- The type of visa classification being requested.
- A brief summary of the job offer and the worker's qualifications.
- A list of all supporting documents being submitted.
Here’s a quick look at what USCIS expects to see:
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Petitioner Details | Clearly identify who is filing the petition. |
| Beneficiary Details | Clearly identify the person you are petitioning for. |
| Visa Classification | State the specific nonimmigrant category. |
| Supporting Documents | List everything you are sending. |
Example: H-1B Visa Petition Cover Letter
[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate USCIS Service Center Address]
Subject: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 – H-1B Visa Classification for [Beneficiary's Full Name]
Dear Sir or Madam,
[Your Company Name] is pleased to submit this Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker on behalf of our highly qualified candidate, [Beneficiary's Full Name], for an H-1B visa classification. [Beneficiary's Full Name] has been offered the position of [Job Title] at our company, a role that requires specialized knowledge in [Field of Expertise] and a bachelor's degree or equivalent in [Relevant Field].
[Your Company Name] is a leading provider of [Industry Description] services, with a strong commitment to innovation and excellence. We have identified a critical need for [Beneficiary's Full Name]'s unique skills and experience to contribute to our [Specific Project or Department]. This position requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in [Required Degree Field], which [Beneficiary's Full Name] possesses, along with [Number] years of relevant experience in [Specific Skills].
Attached to this petition, please find the completed Form I-129, a comprehensive Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor, and all necessary supporting documentation. This includes, but is not limited to, [Beneficiary's Full Name]'s educational transcripts, degree certificates, letters of reference, proof of U.S. company's financial ability, and a detailed job description. We are confident that [Beneficiary's Full Name] meets all the requirements for the H-1B visa classification and will bring significant value to our organization.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this petition. We are available to provide any further information or clarification required.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Example: L-1A Visa Petition Cover Letter
[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate USCIS Service Center Address]
Subject: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 – L-1A Visa Classification for [Beneficiary's Full Name]
Dear Sir or Madam,
[Your Company Name] hereby submits this Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting an L-1A intracompany transferee visa classification for our executive/manager, [Beneficiary's Full Name]. [Beneficiary's Full Name] is currently employed with our parent company, [Foreign Company Name], located in [Country], as [Current Position]. They have been offered a managerial position at our U.S. office as [Proposed U.S. Position].
[Your Company Name] has been operating in the U.S. for [Number] years and maintains a qualifying relationship with [Foreign Company Name] as its [Parent/Subsidiary/Affiliate] company. [Beneficiary's Full Name] has been employed with [Foreign Company Name] for [Number] years, during which time they have held a managerial capacity, overseeing [Number] employees and managing [Specific Responsibilities]. Their role at our U.S. office as [Proposed U.S. Position] will involve managing and supervising the U.S. operations, including [Key Responsibilities in U.S.].
The accompanying documentation includes:
- Completed Form I-129 and required E-filing receipts.
- Evidence of the qualifying corporate relationship between [Your Company Name] and [Foreign Company Name].
- Proof of [Beneficiary's Full Name]'s employment with [Foreign Company Name] in a managerial capacity for at least one continuous year out of the preceding three years.
- Organizational charts for both U.S. and foreign entities.
- Detailed description of the proposed managerial duties in the U.S.
- Financial documentation for both entities.
We appreciate your prompt review of this petition and welcome any requests for further information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Example: O-1 Visa Petition Cover Letter
[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate USCIS Service Center Address]
Subject: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 – O-1 Visa Classification for [Beneficiary's Full Name]
Dear Sir or Madam,
[Your Company Name] respectfully submits this Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker on behalf of [Beneficiary's Full Name], seeking classification as an individual with extraordinary ability in the field of [Field of Expertise] (O-1 visa). [Beneficiary's Full Name] is a globally recognized [Profession] who has achieved a high level of success and acclaim in their field.
[Beneficiary's Full Name] has a distinguished career marked by numerous awards, critical reviews, and significant achievements. We have provided extensive documentation demonstrating their extraordinary ability, including:
- Evidence of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards.
- Documentation of their membership in associations that require outstanding achievements.
- Published material in professional or major trade publications about them.
- Evidence of their participation as a judge of the work of others in their field.
- Documentation of their original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance.
- Evidence of their authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media.
- Proof of their employment in a critical or essential capacity for distinguished organizations or establishments.
- Documentation of their commanding a high salary or other remuneration.
We are confident that the enclosed evidence clearly establishes [Beneficiary's Full Name]'s extraordinary ability and their eligibility for the O-1 visa. We kindly request your favorable consideration of this petition.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Example: P-1 Visa Petition Cover Letter
[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate USCIS Service Center Address]
Subject: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 – P-1 Visa Classification for [Athlete/Team Name]
Dear Sir or Madam,
[Your Company Name] is submitting this Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker on behalf of [Athlete/Team Name], seeking classification as a prominent athlete or athletic team (P-1 visa). [Athlete/Team Name] is internationally recognized in the field of [Sport].
[Athlete/Team Name] has achieved international acclaim and has competed at the highest levels of [Sport] globally. We are requesting the P-1 visa to allow them to participate in [Event/Competition Name] in the United States from [Start Date] to [End Date]. This event is a premier competition in [Sport], and their participation is highly anticipated.
The supporting documentation includes:
- Completed Form I-129.
- Evidence of the athlete's or team's international recognition, such as:
- Contracts or performance schedules with major league teams or organizations.
- Documentation of major awards or honors received.
- Evidence of participation in major international competitions.
- Newspaper clippings and media coverage highlighting their achievements.
- A detailed itinerary of the events and activities in the U.S.
- A written consultation from an appropriate U.S. sports organization (if applicable).
Thank you for your review and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Example: E-2 Treaty Investor Cover Letter
[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate USCIS Service Center Address]
Subject: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 – E-2 Treaty Investor Visa for [Investor's Full Name]
Dear Sir or Madam,
[Your Company Name] is pleased to submit this Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker on behalf of [Investor's Full Name], a national of [Country], applying for an E-2 Treaty Investor visa. [Investor's Full Name] has made a substantial investment in a bona fide enterprise in the United States.
The enterprise in question is [Name of Business], a [Type of Business] located at [Business Address]. [Investor's Full Name] has invested [Amount of Investment] into this business, which represents a significant portion of the total value of the enterprise. This investment is in [Specific assets purchased/invested in, e.g., equipment, real estate, inventory]. The business is projected to generate significant profits and will create at least [Number] jobs for U.S. workers.
The supporting documents we have enclosed demonstrate:
- Evidence of [Investor's Full Name]'s nationality and its treaty country status with the U.S.
- Proof of the substantial investment made in the U.S. enterprise.
- Documentation of the bona fide nature of the U.S. business.
- Evidence of the enterprise's present operation.
- [Investor's Full Name]'s intent to depart the U.S. upon the termination of their E-2 status.
We thank you for your careful consideration of this petition.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Example: TN Visa Petition Cover Letter
[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate USCIS Service Center Address]
Subject: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 – TN Visa Classification for [Beneficiary's Full Name]
Dear Sir or Madam,
[Your Company Name] is pleased to submit this Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker on behalf of [Beneficiary's Full Name], a citizen and national of Canada, seeking classification as a TN nonimmigrant professional. [Beneficiary's Full Name] has been offered the position of [Job Title] with our company.
The position of [Job Title] falls within one of the designated professional occupations listed under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). [Beneficiary's Full Name] possesses the required qualifications for this role, including a [Degree Type] in [Field of Study] from [University Name], which is a credential recognized under the TN visa regulations.
The duties of the [Job Title] position include:
- [Duty 1]
- [Duty 2]
- [Duty 3]
- Completed Form I-129.
- Proof of [Beneficiary's Full Name]'s Canadian citizenship.
- Official transcripts and degree certificates.
- A detailed job offer letter outlining duties, salary, and terms of employment.
- Evidence that the employer is a U.S. entity.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Example: H-2B Visa Petition Cover Letter
[Your Company Letterhead]
[Date]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[Appropriate USCIS Service Center Address]
Subject: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 – H-2B Visa Classification for [Number] Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
Dear Sir or Madam,
[Your Company Name] submits this Form I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker to request H-2B visas for [Number] temporary non-agricultural workers. These workers are needed to fill temporary positions in our [Industry/Department], specifically as [Job Title].
Our company requires these temporary workers to meet peak operational needs during the period from [Start Date] to [End Date]. These needs are seasonal and cannot be met by our existing permanent workforce. The nature of the work involves [Briefly describe the work, e.g., landscaping, construction, food processing]. We have a documented history of seasonal business needs that justify the use of H-2B workers.
We have obtained a certified temporary labor condition application (LCA) from the Department of Labor, confirming that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to perform the services or labor and that the employment of the H-2B workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
The enclosed documentation includes:
- Completed Form I-129.
- Certified Temporary Labor Condition Application (LCA).
- Proof of employer's business operations and need for temporary workers.
- Detailed descriptions of the job duties and wages.
- Evidence that the company has attempted to recruit U.S. workers.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this petition.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
In conclusion, your I-129 Cover Letter Sample is your first and often best opportunity to make a strong case for your petition. By understanding its purpose and carefully crafting each section with clear, concise language and all the necessary details, you significantly increase your chances of a smooth and successful immigration process for the foreign worker you wish to employ. Remember, a well-prepared cover letter is an investment in the future success of your petition.