H-1B Lottery Done

USCIS Completes H-1B Lottery

USCIS has completed the H-1B lottery and receipt notices for cases selected in the lottery are in the mail. Those cases that are not selected will receive notices and returned checks later. The lottery is necessitated because of the 85,000 cap for H-1B visas per fiscal year (65,000 regular, 20,000 US Master’s). USCIS reports having received 236,000 H-1B visa petitions this year, meaning that 151,000 petitions will not be selected.

USCIS has announced that will begin adjudicating premium processing cases no later than May 16. Premium processing means that USCIS will render a decision within 15 days (for a fee of $1,225). The earliest start date for beneficiaries who are approved for an H-1B change of status or H-1B visa is October 1.

Cap exempt H-1B visas can be filed at any time of the year. Cap subject H-1B visas were only able to be filed between April 1 and April 7 because of the 85,000 visa cap. The cap has not been increased since 2003. The cap used to be at 195,000, but is now at one third that number.