USCIS confirmed this morning through publication of a final rule that it would change the order in which it runs the annual H-1B visa lottery to maximize selection of candidates with US Master's degrees. 

It also confirmed that the employer registration system it had proposed last year in December will not take effect for this year's lottery.  Employers will need to file complete H-1B petitions the first week of April like in previous years.  USCIS plans to have the employer registration system in place for the annual H-1B visa lottery next year. 

You can find the complete USCIS article here.

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