H1B Prevailing Wage Salary Increase 2026: USCIS Updates Form I-129 for H-1B Cap Season

USCIS has released an updated version of Form I-129, the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with new requirements that take effect ahead of the H-1B cap season. The updated form requires employers to furnish more detailed information about job requirements and prevailing wage levels when submitting H-1B petitions. The changes reflect increased scrutiny on wage compliance and job qualification standards, areas that have historically been focal points for USCIS adjudicators. Employers and their legal representatives will need to ensure that job descriptions and wage documentation are thorough and clearly substantiate the position's requirements. For EB-3 applicants and those currently on H-1B status pursuing employment-based green cards, this update signals a broader trend toward heightened documentation standards. Workers in H-1B status who are transitioning to EB-3 or other employment-based immigrant visa categories should be aware that similar scrutiny may apply across petition types. Employers are advised to review the new Form I-129 instructions carefully and work closely with immigration counsel to ensure compliance with the updated requirements before the H-1B cap filing window opens.