USCIS Confirms Implementation of H-1B Electronic Registration Process for Next Year's Lottery
USCIS has confirmed that it will implement the online registration system for next year’s H-1B visa lottery.
Under this new process, employers seeking to file H-1B petitions in next year’s lottery (or their representatives) must first complete an online registration process that requires basic information about their company and each requested worker, and pay the associated $10 H-1B registration fee.
USCIS will open an initial registration period from March 1 through March 20, 2020. Once the registration period closes, USCIS will run a random selection of the electronic entries received. Only those with selected registrations can file H-1B petitions.
According to USCIS, “By streamlining the H-1B cap selection process with a new electronic registration system, USCIS is creating cost savings and efficiencies for petitioners and the agency, as only those selected will now be required to submit a full petition.”
USCIS will post step-by-step instructions informing employers how to complete the registration process on its website along with key dates and timelines as the initial registration period nears. USCIS also will conduct public engagements and other outreach activities to ensure employers and interested parties are familiar with the new registration system.
If USCIS does not receive enough registrations and petitions to reach the projected annual limits, the agency may continue accepting registrations, or open an additional registration period.
DHS intends to publish a notice in the Federal Register in the coming weeks to formally announce implementation of the H-1B registration system and provide additional details on the process.
The agency’s press release can be found here.
We will continue to monitor the developments with regard to the new electronic registration process and provides update as soon as we have more information.
This alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact me at nadia@nadiayakooblaw.com if you would like to discuss this development further.