H-1B Cap Initial Registration for FY 2024 Opens on March 1

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the start of registration for H-1B cap cases for the upcoming fiscal year. The H-1B cap will be opened at noon Eastern on March 1 and will close at noon Eastern on March 17, 2023. This is a critical opportunity for employers and foreign workers to apply for the highly sought-after H-1B visa, which allows highly skilled workers to work in the United States on a temporary basis.

Prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners or their representatives must use a myUSCIS online account to electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process and pay the associated $10 H-1B registration fee for each registration submitted. Prospective petitioners who submit their own registrations (U.S. employers and U.S. agents, referred to collectively as “registrants”) will use a “registrant” account. Beginning at noon Eastern on February 21, registrants will be able to create new accounts.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that is highly sought after by employers in the technology, engineering, and healthcare industries, among others. These visas are limited in number, with only 85,000 new H-1B visas available each fiscal year.

Employers must first submit an electronic registration during the registration period, which is typically open for a few weeks, in order to participate in the H-1B cap registration process. Employers must provide information about the foreign worker they wish to sponsor during this time.

When the registration period ends, USCIS will randomly select enough registrations to meet the fiscal year’s cap. Employers whose registrations are chosen can then file a full H-1B petition for the foreign worker, along with the necessary supporting documentation and fees.

It should be noted that the H-1B visa process can be complicated and time-consuming, so employers and foreign workers should consult with an experienced immigration attorney to ensure that all necessary steps are taken and all required information is provided to USCIS.