H-1B visa initial registration period ends in 3 days

The initial registration period for fiscal year 2025 H-1B visas will end on March 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET (9:30 p.m. IST), according to a statement from the federal agency. The registration window opens on March 6.

The H1-B visa is for foreign workers in the United States and is a favorite among Indian professionals seeking to work in the United States.

Between March 6 and March 22, potential applicants and their legal representatives must electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process using the online account “myUSCIS” provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Employers can now use the new organizational account “myUSCIS” Register multiple entities under the same account.

In 2022, Indians received 77% of the 320,000 approved H-1B visas. This year, USCIS expects approximately 350,000 applicants. Reduction attributed to new anti-fraud measures.

Last year, there were more than 400,000 duplicate registrations out of 759,000 registrations.

USCIS updates online account functionality

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said Monday that online account users can also collaborate on registrations and petitions through enhanced organizational account features in their online accounts.

Employers who hire highly skilled foreigners will face significant increases in application fees for various visas this year under final rules released on January 30.

USCIS filing fee for H-1B beneficiary According to reports, individuals filing L-1 petitions will increase by 70%, individuals filing L-1 petitions will increase by 201%, and individuals filing O-1 petitions will face a 129% increase.

Additionally, USCIS announced that Form I-129 for H-1B petitions and Form I-907 for Premium Processing are now available in the USCIS online account.

The agency will begin accepting online submissions of H-1B cap application forms on April 1.

“We will announce when unlimited H-1B petitions can be filed online,” USCIS said.