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Quick Fact:
For FY 2025, the number of eligible registrations for H-1B visas dropped by 38.6% compared to the previous year. Despite this, USCIS completed a second round of selections to meet the regular cap, providing additional chances for petitioners to file their H-1B petitions(USCIS)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the completion of the second random selection from previously submitted registrations to meet the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B regular cap numerical allocation. This additional selection was necessary to ensure that enough unique beneficiaries were identified to meet the cap, following the initial round of selections.
Key Details of the Selection Process
Random Selection Completed: USCIS has now randomly selected a sufficient number of registrations for unique beneficiaries from the pool of remaining properly submitted FY 2025 registrations. This selection ensures that the regular cap numerical allocation is met for the upcoming fiscal year.
Notification of Selected Registrations: All prospective petitioners with selected registrations from this round have been notified. These petitioners are now eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the selected registration notice.
Filing Requirements: Only petitioners with selected registrations may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2025, and these petitions must be filed for the beneficiary specified in the applicable selected registration notice. It is important to note that no second selection was conducted for the advanced degree exemption (the master’s cap), as the initial selections and received petitions were sufficient to meet this cap’s numerical allocation.
Filing Period and Location: An H-1B cap-subject petition must be filed at the correct location or online at my.uscis.gov within the filing period specified on the selection notice. The filing period will be at least 90 days. A copy of the applicable selection notice must accompany the petition.
Eligibility and Compliance: Selection in this process only grants the eligibility to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. Petitioners must still establish eligibility for petition approval based on existing statutory and regulatory requirements.
Fee and Form Updates:
USCIS reminds petitioners of the recent fee adjustments and form updates:
Fee Adjustments: On Jan. 31, 2024, USCIS published a final rule adjusting the fees required for most immigration applications and petitions, effective April 1, 2024. Petitions must include the updated fees, or they will be rejected.
Form I-129 Update: USCIS will only accept the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. Older editions will not be accepted.
Premium Processing Fee Update: The final rule also increased the premium processing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, effective Feb. 26, 2024. Any Form I-907 postmarked on or after this date with the incorrect fee will be rejected.
Navigating the complexities of the H-1B process requires expert guidance. At OnlineVisas, we specialize in providing strategic advice and personalized support to ensure your H-1B petitions are filed correctly and efficiently. Book your slot now to secure a Strategy Session with our experienced immigration attorneys, and let us help you successfully navigate the H-1B process for FY 2025.
Here are some other details about the FY 2025 H-1B cap:
- The total number of registrations submitted for FY 2025 was significantly lower than in FY 2024.
- The number of unique beneficiaries for FY 2025 was similar to FY 2024.
- The number of unique employers for FY 2025 was similar to FY 2024.
- The number of eligible registrations for FY 2025 was down by 38.6% compared to FY 2024.
- The average number of registrations per beneficiary for FY 2025 was 1.06, compared to 1.70 for FY 2024
USCIS recently completed a second random selection for the FY 2025 H-1B regular cap to ensure they had enough beneficiaries to meet the 65,000 visa allocation. This additional selection was required due to a shortfall after the first round of registrations. The second lottery was strictly for the regular cap, with no further selections for the advanced degree (master’s) exemption, as enough petitions had already been filed to meet that quota. Notifications have been sent to all petitioners whose registrations were selected in this second round, allowing them to proceed with filing cap-subject petitions for the specified beneficiaries.
The selected petitioners now have a 90-day window to file their petitions, with submissions due before early November 2024, marking the start of the fiscal year. It’s important to note that USCIS is not expected to conduct a third selection process, as their projections suggest that the second round will meet the required cap (USCIS)
Conclusion
This year’s selection process also saw a significant reduction in the number of eligible registrations, dropping by 38.6% compared to FY 2024, which likely prompted the second lottery. The number of registrations per beneficiary also decreased, suggesting more focused submissions
In conclusion, the completion of the second random selection for the FY 2025 H-1B regular cap was a necessary measure to meet the demand for visa allocations, addressing a shortfall after the initial lottery. While the master’s cap quota was filled early in the process, the regular cap required this additional round of selections. Petitioners who were selected have been notified and must file their H-1B petitions within a 90-day window, with filings due by early November. With a notable decrease in eligible registrations this year compared to FY 2024, USCIS is not expected to hold another selection round