USCIS Gives Registered H-1B Petitioners Another Bite at the Apple

By Marylou Fabbo - Skoler Abbott

August 5, 2024

In March 2024, the United States Customs and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) conducted an initial random selection (i.e. “lottery”) on properly submitted electronic registrations for fiscal year 2025, which begins on October 1, 2024.  For those selected in the March 2024 lottery, petitions had to be filed between April 1 through June 30, 2024.  Based on the number of H-1B petitions that were approved and visas issued, USCIS has determined that there is room for additional H-1B visas to be granted before the maximum of 65,000 (non-advanced degree) visas are awarded. The H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant aliens as workers in specialty occupations or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.

USCIS says that “soon” it will conduct a second lottery from previously submitted electronic registrations.  Those who are selected during the lottery to submit a petition will be notified that they are eligible to file an H-1B petition for the beneficiary named in the selected registration.  USCIS will announce when it has completed that process.  If your petition was submitted under the advance degree cap, it will not be part of the second lottery as USCIS has issued all advanced degree petitions, and the 20,000 quota has been met.

Those with selected registrations will have their USCIS online accounts updated to include a selection notice, which includes details of when and where to file.

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