H-1B cap season is here, and it’s time to think about who might be eligible for an H-1B visa. The H-1B cap registration will take place at the end of March, and USCIS will conduct its lottery in early April. Once the lottery has taken place, the winners must file their H-1B petitions within 90 days.
For first-time H-1B petitions, registration for the H-1B cap is needed in March. Foreign nationals applying for an H-1B for the first time holding the following visa statuses should register:
- F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- F-1 STEM OPT
- TN (Canadian or Mexican) if more stable status is desired
- L-1 if there is a PERM application and an extension beyond 5 or 7 years is needed
Before filing an H-1B registration, we recommend scheduling an assessment of your case to determine its viability and to evaluate any issues that might result in USCIS responding with a Request for Evidence.
We will post further information as the season progresses. Please do not hesitate to contact us or schedule a consultation if you have any questions.
