USCIS announced that it has received enough petitions to reach its congressionally mandated cap of 85,000 cap-subject H-1B visa petitions, which includes 65,000 visas under the regular cap, and an additional 20,000 visas in the master’s cap.
Overview
In the next few days, registrants whose petitions were not selected will receive non-selection notices from UCSIS in their online accounts. Those who receive non-selection notices will see a status of “Not Selected” on their accounts.
While USCIS has reached the H-1B cap, it will continue to process and accept petitions that are cap-exempt. Petitions that are filed for current H-1B workers who have been previously counted against the cap, and who have held H-1B in the last 6 years, are exempt from the H-1B cap.
USCIS will continue accepting and processing petitions for H-1B in a number of circumstances, including to:
- Change the terms of employment for current H-1B employees
- Extend the amount of time a current H-1B employee can stay in the U.S.
- Allow H-1B workers to change employers
- Allow H-1B employees to work concurrently holding other H-1B positions
Looking Ahead
If your employees were selected in this year’s H-1B lottery, Envoy Global can assist will all your ongoing H-1B visa needs. Otherwise, consider these H-1B alternatives to find other potential employment avenues for employees whose petitions were not selected.
Envoy is pleased to provide you with this information, which was prepared in collaboration with Anne Walsh, who is a Partner at Corporate Immigration Partners, P.C., a U.S. law firm who provides services through the Envoy Platform (the “U.S. Law Firm”).
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. Envoy is not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. If you would like guidance on how this information may impact your particular situation and you are a client of the U.S. Law Firm, consult your attorney. If you are not a client of the U.S. Law Firm working with Envoy, consult another qualified professional. This website does not create an attorney-client relationship with the U.S. Law Firm.
