The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has completed the second round of the H1B visa lottery for the fiscal year 2025. This announcement is significant for thousands of hopeful applicants, as it determines who will proceed to the next steps in securing an H1B visa. Let’s break down what this means and what happens next.
USCIS Completes Second Round H1B Lottery
On August 5th, 2024, USCIS officially announced that they had completed the second round of the H1B lottery. A total of 14,534 new applicants were selected in this round. This brings the total number of selected registrations for FY 2025 to 135,137.
All accepted applicants have been notified. Unfortunately, if you haven’t received any notification, your application wasn’t accepted this round. But do not worry, we will discuss the potential for future H1B applications and acceptances later in this article.
Why Was a Second Round of H1B Lottery Needed?
Earlier this year, the USCIS opened the registration period for H1B visa applications for FY 2025 between March 6th and March 25th, 2024. During this time, they received approximately 480,000 registrations. In April, USCIS conducted the first round of the H1B lottery, selecting 120,603 applicants. However, not enough of these selected applicants submitted their petitions, which led to the need for a second lottery round to meet the required visa cap.
Trends in H1B Registrations and Selections
Over the past few years, the number of H1B registrations has fluctuated, with a significant peak in FY 2024 when nearly 781,000 registrations were submitted. For FY 2025, the total number of registrations was 479,953, and USCIS selected 135,137 of them through the lottery process.
What Happens Next for Selected Applicants?
If your application was chosen, here’s what you need to know:
- Filing Window: Your employer has 90 days to file your H1B petition. The filing period is from August 8, 2024, to November 7, 2024.
- How to File: Employers can file the petition online at my.uscis.gov or send it by mail to the correct USCIS office.
- Correct Forms: Employers must use the latest version of Form I-129, dated 04/01/24.
- Fees: The filing fees have changed. For most companies, it costs $780 for paper filing or $730 for online filing. Smaller companies (25 or fewer employees) and non-profits pay $460.
- Premium Processing: If your employer wants faster processing, they can pay an extra fee of $2,805.
It’s important to note that being selected in the lottery does not guarantee that your H1B petition will be approved. Your employer must provide all necessary documentation to prove that you meet the requirements for the H1B visa.
No Additional Lottery for Master’s Cap Applicants
USCIS confirmed that they did not conduct a second round lottery for the U.S. Master’s Cap, as they received enough petitions from the first round selections.
Key Points to Remember
- 14,534 New Selections: USCIS selected 14,534 additional applicants in the second round of the H1B lottery for FY 2025.
- Total Selections: The total number of selected applicants for FY 2025 is now 135,137.
- Filing Deadline: Employers must file the H1B petition by November 7th, 2024.
- No Additional Master’s Cap Lottery: USCIS did not conduct a second round for U.S. Master’s Cap applicants.
What This Means for the Future
The number of people applying for H1B visas has been growing over the years. In 2021, there were about 274,000 applications. This year, there were almost 480,000. But the number of visas available hasn’t changed much. This means it’s getting harder to be selected each year.
What If You Weren’t Selected?
If you weren’t chosen in this round, don’t lose hope. Sometimes, USCIS does a third round of selections if they still need more applications. However, this isn’t guaranteed to happen every year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the H1B Visa selection process for FY 2025.
Q: Will USCIS conduct a third round of the H1B lottery for FY 2025?
A: While it is uncertain, USCIS may conduct a third round if they do not receive enough petitions from the selected applicants in the second round. However, no third round has been announced yet.
Q: What should I do if my employer hasn’t received a notification?
A: If your employer hasn’t received a notification by now, it likely means that you were not selected in the second round of the lottery.
Q: When is the deadline for filing the H1B petition?
A: The deadline for filing the H1B petition for those selected in the second round is November 7th, 2024.
Q: I haven’t heard from my employer about my H1B application. What should I do?
A: If you haven’t received any notification from your employer, it’s likely that your registration was not selected in the second round. USCIS has confirmed that all selected applicants have been notified.
Conclusion
The completion of the second round of the H1B lottery is an important development for many aspiring professionals seeking to work in the United States. If you were selected, it’s crucial to ensure that your employer files the H1B petition within the specified timeframe. Remember, the lottery selection is just the first step; proper documentation and timely submission are key to securing your H1B visa.
The H1B visa process can be complicated, but staying informed is important. Always check the USCIS website for the most up-to-date information about your immigration journey.
