On August 5, 2024, USCIS completed a second round of the annual H-1B registration lottery from the remaining H-1B registrations for this cap season. All prospective petitioners with selected registrations have been notified and are now eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the selected registration. All petitions must be received by USCIS between August 8, 2024, and November 7, 2024.

 

Only petitioners with selected registrations may file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2025, and only for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration notice. USCIS did not conduct a second lottery for the advanced degree exemption (the master’s cap), as enough registrations had already been selected to meet the master’s cap. However, master’s cap candidates who had not been selected in the first round were also included in the August 5, 2024, random lottery for the regular cap.

 

Petitioners must ensure their H-1B cap-subject petitions are properly filed at the correct location or online at my.uscis.gov within the filing period indicated on the selection notice. While the registration selection grants eligibility to file an H-1B cap-subject petition, petitioners must still meet the existing statutory and regulatory requirements to secure petition approval.

 

 

USCIS has also adjusted the fees for most immigration applications and petitions, effective April 1, 2024, following the final rule published on January 31, 2024. Petitions submitted without the new fees will not be accepted. Furthermore, only the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, will be accepted. Petitioners should also be aware of the new premium processing fee rule that increased the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, effective February 26, 2024. Any Form I-907 postmarked on or after this date with the incorrect fee will be rejected.

 

For further assistance or to discuss your specific case, please call our office at 703-348-1663.