FY 2024 H-1B CAP SEASON
H-1B visas have been more and more popular recently, and there has been a noticeable increase in the number of applicants. There were 275,000 applications in FY 2021, and there were 308,000 applications in FY 2022. Applications reached a significant level of 483,927 in the most recent fiscal year, FY 2023. The registration period for the H-1B lottery for the fiscal year 2024 started on March 1, 2023, and ended on March 17, 2023, at 12 P.M.
H-1B Employers
For employers unsure of how to begin to hire foreign nationals in a professional position, we are here to walk you through the process.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE CASE EVALUATIONH-1B Employees
For Current H-1B visa-holders, Cap Subject H-1B, Students on F-1 and OPT looking for assistance with a H-1B Cap, Transfer, Extension, an Amended or a Concurrent filing, we will walk you through the process.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE CASE EVALUATIONUSCIS requests precise information for each entry during the H-1B cap registration process, including the employer's name, employment identification number (FEIN), address, and contact details for the firm's representative. Also, the beneficiary's full name, birthdate, birthplace, citizenship, gender, and passport number, are necessary to include as well. Indicating whether the beneficiary holds a master's degree from a university in the United States is also crucial. Employers received selection notices by March 31st. Once selected, employers had a 90-day period to file a completed H-1B cap petition.
To give you a rough timeline:
- January through early March: Prepare for Lottery Registration
- Select candidates, evaluate positions for specialty occupation and prevailing wage information, and determine if the applicant is subject to the regular cap or master's cap. File Labor Condition Applications (LCA) for time-sensitive cases.
- March 1 through March 17: Submit Lottery Registration
- The electronic H-1B cap registration application should be submitted.
- By March 31: USCIS Announces Selections
- USCIS finalizes the random selection process and notifies selected employers and beneficiaries. Employers prepare and file LCAs.
- April 1 to May/June: File Completed H-1B Petitions
- Prepare and file the entire H-1B cap petition along with all supporting documents.
- July: Second Chance Lottery
- USCIS conducts a "second chance" lottery to allocate any unused H-1B visa numbers from cases that were selected in the March lottery but were not filed within the 3-month filing window.
- November: Third Chance Lottery
- USCIS conducts a "third chance" lottery to allocate any remaining H-1B visa numbers that were selected in March and July but not filed within the 3-month filing window. It's important to note that the third chance lottery was conducted in 2021 but not in 2022.
