[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]H-1B season officially opened last week with the opening of the H-1B Electronic Registration Process. For 2021 (Fiscal Year 2022), the registration period is from March 9, noon EST to March 25, noon EDT. The electronic registration process, implemented by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) only last year, acknowledges that in a typical year, the number of applications is larger than the total number of visas. In years past, every applicant had to submit the lengthy H-1B application and associated fees, prior to the lottery. If the applicant was not selected in the lottery, the time, effort, and money spent on the application essentially went to waste. Now, applicants only need to register electronically and pay a $10 fee. They only need to submit an official application and pay necessary fees If they are chosen in the lottery, significantly reducing time and paperwork for the applicants.
When the system was implemented last year, the process seemed to work without too many complaints. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) offered feedback of the system late last year, along with recommendations on how to make the system work better. Most of the recommendations focused on difficulties users encountered during data entry and account creation. On March 5 of this year, USCIS issued guidance addressing some of the "common mistakes" made using the electronic registration service. According to USCIS, the top two user errors were creating the wrong type of account and entering the beneficiary more than once. The USCIS has an FAQ for the electronic registration process.
When electronic registration ends on March 25th, the lottery process will take place shortly thereafter. H-1B seekers who are chosen in the lottery should be notified of their selection by USCIS before the end of March. Petitions for H-1B visas can be filed as early as April 1st.
Do you have questions about the H-1B registration and application process? The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth helps applicants and petitioners ensure that the H-1B visa application process is successful from start to finish. Initial immigration consultations are free. Our immigration attorneys have a track record of success helping H-1B applicants and petitioners complete the H-1B visa process successfully. Call us today at 888-517-9888 to speak with our experts today![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
