To give some context, the H-1B visa is a work visa that allows U.S. Employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that typically require a university degree. Excluding Cap-Exempt applications, the first step towards applying toward the H-1B work visa is registering for the lottery.
At a certain point in March, USCIS opens a registration period. The exact dates vary from year to year, but in 2024, the registration dates are from Wednesday, March 6 to Friday, March 22, 2024.
Employers or their authorized representatives register electronically with USCIS during the designated period. They provide basic information about the employer and prospective employee. There is a registration fee associated with each H-1B registration. The fee amount is set by USCIS, and is subject to change, but the fee is currently $10 USD.
Once the registration process closes, USCIS conducts a random selection process, also known as the lottery, from the pool of registrations received. The lottery determines which registrations will be eligible to submit a full H-1B visa application.
USCIS notifies employers or the authorized representative of the selection of the employee. Then, there will be a specified period to prepare and submit the complete H-1B petition for the selected employee. This includes submitting the required forms, supporting documents, and filing fees. USCIS will then review the submitted H-1B petition and decide on the case. If approved, the employee can start working in the United States by October 1st of that year.
Employers or Authorized representatives interested in this process must create a “My USCIS” Account. You may do so by using the following link:
For more up to date information about the H-1B Registration process, please access the following link:
Do you want to learn more about the H-1B work visa and the registration process? Call us today at (915) 314-2363 to schedule a consultation today!
