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USCIS Imposes H-1B Pre-Registration Process for Cap Lottery; Prioritizes Advanced Degree Holders

  1. Original Date Announced

    January 31, 2019

    USCIS issues H-1B visa changes that 1) require employers to pre-register for H-1B cap filing, and 2) maximize the number of U.S. advanced-degree holders selected. Though the H-1B cap remains at 85,000, USCIS changes the order of the cap selection lotteries. The agency will conduct the regular cap lottery first. Any advanced-degree filing not selected in the regular lottery will then be placed into a second lottery, with the goal of maximizing the number of advanced-degree graduates selected against the overall H-1B quota. [ID #542]

    Federal Register: Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens
  2. Effective Date

    April 1, 2019

Current Status

Fully in Effect

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Rule
Agencies Affected: USCIS

Commentary

Documents

Trump-Era Policy Documents

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