The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the H-1B visa application process for fiscal year 2025 will start on March 6, with significant changes to the lottery system. Prospective applicants are required to electronically register each beneficiary using a USCIS online account from March 6 to March 22, along with payment of the registration fee. Companies can begin setting up their accounts from February 28 to aid the registration process.
Beginning October 1, 2024, USCIS will require registrants to provide valid passport or travel document info for each beneficiary. This must match the document intended for US entry if granted an H-1B visa. Each beneficiary should register under only one passport or travel document to avoid complications.
The new rules aim to bolster the integrity of the H-1B registration process by adopting a beneficiary-centric selection approach and preventing potential abuse. USCIS has standardized the selection process to ensure equal chances for each beneficiary, irrespective of multiple registrations. Moreover, the final rule empowers USCIS to reject or invalidate H-1B petitions with fraudulent registration info, enhancing compliance and accountability.