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Navigating Changes in the H-1B Cap Season for FY 2025
Kris Quadros-Ragar • Mar 28, 2024
The United States has concluded the initial registration phase for the Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B cap season, wrapping up on March 25, 2024, at noon Eastern Time after a three-day extension.
According to a statement from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency will soon commence the random selection of beneficiaries from properly submitted registrations. These selections are anticipated to fulfill the numerical allocations for the FY 2025 H-1B cap, including the master’s cap exemption. Once selected, prospective petitioners will be notified of their eligibility to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the chosen beneficiaries.
As of April 1, 2024, USCIS has implemented a change in the filing location for H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions. All paper-based submissions must now be directed to USCIS lockbox locations, superseding service centers. This directive applies universally to cap, non-cap, and cap-exempt H-1B filings. Mailing addresses specifically designated for H-1B cap cases can be found on the Form I-129 Direct Filing Addresses page.
A clear warning has been issued by USCIS regarding petitions received at USCIS service centers on or after April 1, 2024. Any such submissions will be rejected outright, without any grace period provided.
Alongside these procedural adjustments, USCIS has introduced new fees and a revised edition of Form I-129, effective April 1, 2024. Henceforth, petitions postmarked on or after this date must adhere to the updated fees and utilize the latest edition of Form I-129. USCIS will reference the postmark date to ascertain the correct form version and applicable fees.
If you are considering an H-1B visa application or have any questions, please schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We are here to assist you.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.
Kris Quadros-Ragar
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