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FY 2025 H-1B Cap Lottery Integrity Measures made by USCIS
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a final rule aimed at enhancing the integrity of the H-1B registration process to mitigate potential fraud. The new rule also aims to ensure fairness in the selection process for beneficiaries, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf by employers. Here are the […]
H-1B Travelers to Save Time, Money, and Heartache with Stateside Visa Renewal Pilot Program
For H-1B visa holders, the logistics of traveling home for a wedding can be almost as challenging to plan as the wedding. An Indian client who traveled to India for a wedding had to remain there for weeks to get a visa to return to the US. He had to apply for the visa in […]
Department of State Unveils Stateside Renewal Visa Pilot Program for H-1B Applicants from India and Canada
The Department of State has officially announced the Stateside Renewal Visa Program through a Federal Register Notice, inviting eligible individuals to participate in the pilot program from January 29th to April 1st. This initiative, advocated by AILA since 2021, is a significant development in visa processing. The program is exclusively available to H-1B principal beneficiaries […]
H-1B Visa Cap Reached: USCIS FY 2024 Updates and Exemptions
Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated caps for H-1B visas for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The regular cap of 65,000 and the master’s cap of 20,000 for U.S. advanced degree exemptions have both been met. Non-selection notices will be sent to registrants through […]
AILA Quicktake Video – FY2024 H-1B Registration Number Analysis
Tune into the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Quicktake on the FY2024 H-1B Registration Numbers report that was released in the spring. Director of AILA’s Government Relations, Shavari Dalal-Dheini, examines the H-1B registration numbers and explains AILA’s recommendations to USCIS, Congress, and this administration to improve the H-1B lottery system. If you have questions about […]
FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration – By the Numbers
Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash As predicted, USCIS saw the largest number of total employer registrations in this last H-1B cap lottery. FY 2024 was the 4th year USCIS has utilized an electronic registration system for the H-1B cap. USCIS saw significant increases in every area; number of registrations, number of registrations submitted on […]
No Sign of Decrease in H-1B Cap Lottery Registration Numbers Despite Tech Layoffs
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash Bloomberg Law reported at the beginning of this month that there’s no sign in the H-1B registrant numbers slowing down despite large tech company layoffs of H-1B visa holders. USCIS’ online registration was introduced in 2020. The annual cap is set at 85,000 H-1B visas, but registrations have been […]
H-1B Modernization Rule Finalized
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a comprehensive update to the H-1B visa program, set to take effect on January 17, 2025. This modernization introduces new flexibilities, strengthens oversight, and provides stability for employers and employees alike. A new Form I-129 will be required for all filings as of the effective date, with […]