USCIS has conducted its third random selection from previously submitted FY 2022 H-1B registrations.
The agency conducted its initial selection in March after receiving more than 308,000 registrations, and undertook a second lottery in July. USCIS said that it determined that it needed to select additional registrations in order to reach the FY 2022 H-1B application cap, including the advanced degree exemption.
Those who have submitted their registrations and have been successful in the lottery will be contacted by their immigration lawyer in order to file a full H-1B petition.
H-1B Visa Lottery: how does it work?
The number of people registering for an H-1B visa each year usually far exceeds the annual cap on how many people can actually be offered one. The lottery is a way of randomly selecting which registrants can file a full application for approval.
The maximum number of visas available each year is currently 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 for those holding a masters degree.
Around Spring each year, a registration opens for budding applicants to register for this lottery. The window remains open to registrations for the full period as stated, even after the annual cap has been exceeded. Once the window is closed, USCIS carries out the H-1B visa lottery to identify which registrations will be invited to the next stage. This is a random selection process of registrations received during the window.
Successful registrations are then notified and invited to submit their full H-1B petition within the specified deadline, which is usually 90 days from notification. The petition will be assessed against the visa requirements and eligibility criteria.
Interested in a H-1B visa or another employment-based visa?
Check out our Employment Immigration services – and get in touch with your local office today for more information.
© [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″] 2021. The above text is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
