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“Case Is Pending at a Local Office”on your I-129 · Temporary work visa petition

I-129 petitions are normally decided at service centers, so a local office status is unusual.
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WHICH STEP ARE YOU ON?
Receipt notice
Review by an officer · here
Request for evidence (if needed)
Decision
Approval notice mailed

What to do, in 3 steps

Check processing times for your field office.
Keep your address current for interview notices.
Start getting your interview documents ready.
11months
10 to 11 monthsTypical time for a complete I-129. USCIS published times. Typical ranges, never an exact date.
In this statusWaits at local offices range from weeks to many months.

What it means for your I-129

I-129 petitions are normally decided at service centers, so a local office status is unusual. It may reflect a site visit or a fraud prevention review of the employer. The case stays pending until that review ends. Ask the employer if anyone has been contacted.

In general, on any form:

Your case is at a USCIS field office near you. Field offices handle interviews and some final reviews. The case is waiting there for the next step. The wait depends on that office's workload.

Avoid these mistakes

Going to the field office without an appointment.
Comparing your wait with a different office.

Quick questions

What does "Case Is Pending at a Local Office" mean on an I-129?

I-129 petitions are normally decided at service centers, so a local office status is unusual. It may reflect a site visit or a fraud prevention review of the employer. The case stays pending until that review ends. Ask the employer if anyone has been contacted.

Which local office has my case?

Your online account or the transfer notice usually shows it.

Will I get an interview?

Many cases at a local office are waiting for one, but not all need it.

Can I visit the office to ask?

Only with an appointment made through USCIS.

How long does an I-129 take?

The typical range published by USCIS is 10 to 11 months. It depends on the office and your case; it is not an exact date.

Other statuses of your I-129

Every status of an I-129 →

This same status on other forms

AI-assisted explanation based on the official USCIS status, reviewed by CaseAlerta. Not legal advice. Times are typical ranges, never an exact date.