USCIS answers regarding Form I-129 and increase in L-1 RFE's

Here is a summary of the responses provided by USCIS during a recent teleconference:

The total number of L-1 filings for FY11 to date (through February 14, 2011) is 13,181. Total number of L-1 RFEs for FY11 to date (through February 14, 2011) is 4,057.

Form I-129S does not require an attestation on export controls in regards to blanket L visa applications.

On Form I-129 and its various supplements USCIS interprets the term working off-site to mean that the beneficiary will be working at a location other than the petitioning employer’s work site.

H-1B renewals USCIS does require that export control certifications are completed even if the beneficiary is doing the same job as stated in the original petition.

With respect to the requirements around when an itinerary is required and what the contents should be, the most recent guidance detailing the itinerary requirement is the January 08, 2010 Neufeld memo, Determining Employer-Employee Relationship for Adjudication of H-1B Petitions, Including Third-Party Site Placements particularly page 8, and page 10, part D. The former memo issued December 29, 1995 by Michael Aytes is being reviewed as part of the on-going policy review process.