USCIS Extends Initial Registration Period for FY 2025 H-1B Visa

Good news for aspiring H-1B visa holders! In a recent press release, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an extension of the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B visa cap.

This extension comes in response to a temporary system outage experienced by some registrants, providing additional time for prospective petitioners to complete the registration process.

Extended H-1B Registration Period

Originally scheduled to close on March 22, 2024, at noon Eastern, the initial registration period will now run through noon Eastern on March 25, 2024. This extension aims to accommodate those affected by the system outage and ensure equal opportunities for all prospective petitioners.

Registration Process

For H-1b Visa registration during this extended period, prospective petitioners and their representatives must utilize a USCIS online account to electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process. Additionally, payment of the associated registration fee for each beneficiary is required through the online platform.

It is worth noting here that, this critical update brings forth a series of changes and requirements that demand the attention of both petitioners and their representatives.

Don’t Wait! Register Now! If you’re aiming for an H-1B visa for fiscal year 2025, be sure to register electronically through your USCIS online account before the new deadline.

Notification Timeline

Despite the extension, USCIS remains committed to notifying selected registrants by March 31, 2024. This timeline ensures transparency and allows selected applicants to proceed with the next steps of the H-1B visa application process promptly.

Additional Information

1. USCIS Still Aims to Notify Selected Applicants by March 31st: Despite the extension, USCIS maintains its goal of notifying successful applicants by the original date of March 31st.

2. Collaboration Made Easier: USCIS launched a new feature called “myUSCIS organizational accounts” in February 2024. This allows employers, legal representatives, and multiple team members to collaborate on H-1B registrations and petitions within the same online account.

3. New Accounts Required: A new organizational account is mandatory to participate in the H-1B electronic registration process this year.

For further information and resources, USCIS encourages interested parties to review updated information available on the Organizational Accounts Frequently Asked Questions page. This initiative aims to streamline the registration process and enhance user experience for all stakeholders involved.

Conclusion

The extension of the initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap demonstrates USCIS’s commitment to addressing technical challenges and ensuring fairness in the application process. Prospective petitioners are urged to take advantage of the extended deadline and utilize the available resources for a smooth registration experience.