H-1B Made Easy: USCIS Simplifies Process with Online Filing

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday announced a series of customer experience improvements for the H-1B visa program, designed to streamline the process for organizations and their legal representatives.

The new measures include organizational accounts, allowing multiple users within a company or legal team to collaborate on H-1B registrations and petitions.

These measures, set to launch in February 2024, come just in time for the FY 2025 H-1B cap season and are expected to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and save time for both petitioners and USCIS.

Organizational Accounts for Enhanced Collaboration

At the heart of the improvements are organizational accounts, a new feature granting authorized users within companies and legal teams the ability to collaborate on H-1B registrations, Form I-129 petitions, and Form I-907 premium processing requests.

This centralized platform eliminates the need for multiple stakeholders to manage tasks individually, fostering seamless collaboration and improved accuracy.

Full Online Filing for a Paperless Workflow

USCIS is taking the H-1B process fully digital by introducing online filing for Forms I-129 and I-907. This eliminates the need for physical paperwork submissions, saving time and resources for both petitioners and USCIS. Once implemented, the entire H-1B lifecycle, from registration to final decision, will be paperless.

Also Read: USCIS Updates Policy on Employer Ability to Pay for Immigrant Petitions

Additional Measures for Increased Efficiency

Standardized Paper Filing Location: To streamline processing and reduce costs, USCIS will transition Forms I-129 and I-907 paper filings to a central USCIS lockbox.

National Engagement Sessions: USCIS will host two national engagements (Jan. 23 & 24) and smaller sessions leading up to the H-1B registration period to guide users through the organizational accounts process.

Expanded Online Filing: USCIS continues to expand the list of forms available for online filing. Check the latest updates on the “Forms Available to File Online” page.

Benefits for All

These improvements benefit employers, legal representatives, and USCIS alike:

• Employers: Streamlined registration and petition process, reduced errors, and easier collaboration.
• Legal Representatives: Enhanced client service through improved collaboration and online tools.
• USCIS: Increased efficiency, reduced processing times, and improved data accuracy.

Also Read: USCIS Allows F-1 Student Visa Holders to Work In US Startups

Stay Informed

USCIS encourages all stakeholders involved in the H-1B process to attend the upcoming engagement sessions and subscribe to public engagement notifications for further updates. Additional details about organizational accounts will be available on the H-1B Electronic Registration Process page.

With these innovative changes, USCIS is paving the way for a more efficient and user-friendly H-1B experience for all involved.