As the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B cap season quickly approaches, employers and employees are starting to prepare for the H-1B petition process. This upcoming H-1B cap will largely mirror last year's cap season in many respects.
The 2024 fiscal year will see the return of the electronic registration process, which was launched in 2020 and has been well-received by applicants since its debut. According to USCIS, users indicated high satisfaction with the electronic registration process during FY 2023, with an average score of 4.84 out of 5.
USCIS has not yet announced the specific FY 2024 registration dates. We'll update this blog when they release these important dates.
H-1B Cap Season Rules Stay the Same
In FY 2024, it appears that many of the rules that were in place for the FY 2023 season will stay the same.
The proposed H-1B final rule that would have changed the H-1B selection process from a random lottery selection to a process that favors higher wages will not be implemented. The courts overturned the proposed final rule, and it was consequently set aside in September 2021. Additionally, the proposed final rule has been eliminated from the Federal Register.
As such, we anticipate the FY 2024 H-1B cap season proceeding as normal.
RFE Issuance
As before, USCIS is still issuing requests for evidence (RFEs). However, the volume of RFEs being issued has declined in the past few years. Learn more about RFEs and recent trends, including the chances of H-1B approval after receiving an RFE.
The Importance of Starting Early
HR teams are encouraged to start gathering necessary data and documentation well in advance of the electronic registration deadline. In the past few H-1B cap seasons, USCIS opened the electronic registration period in March.
As such, HR teams should consider starting to work with their company’s stakeholders and legal teams in January and February to avoid delays. Doing so could help create a less stressful H-1B cap season.
Another trend likely to continue in FY 2024 is the need to start the H-1B process early. Delays are still expected throughout the application process due to many factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, budgetary constraints, potential government shutdowns and more. As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General notes, USCIS is still experiencing significant backlogs in application processing for H-1B applications and other immigration services.
Benefits of Immigration Technology
As flexible work conditions continue to be the norm, it’s now more important than ever before for HR teams to consider utilizing technology during the immigration process. Technology can help HR teams make immigration efficient.
Technology can help HR managers and teams streamline and organize the H-1B petition process in many ways, such as:
- Facilitating HR and attorney correspondence in communication centers
- Disseminating notifications faster, and
- Keeping track of important deadlines
HR managers are still encouraged to prepare in advance for H-1B cap season by identifying employees who need an H-1B, gathering all relevant documentation, preparing LCAs and more.
While there are no significant changes for the FY 2024 H-1B cap season, Envoy will continue to provide updates and additional information on our Resources Center.
Envoy is pleased to provide you this information, which was prepared in collaboration with Frank Fogelbach, who is a Supervising Attorney at Corporate Immigration Partners (CIP), one of the two independent U.S. law firms Envoy exclusively works with on the Envoy Platform (the "U.S. Law Firms").
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an attorney at one of the two U.S. Law Firms working with the Envoy Platform or another qualified professional. On non-U.S. immigration issues, consult an Envoy global immigration service provider or another qualified representative.
