USCIS Met FY 2020 H-1B Cap

On April 5, 2019, USCIS had received sufficient H-1B visa cap petitions for the 2020 fiscal year (FY), to meet the annual 65,000 H-1B visa cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa master’s cap (U.S.-advanced-degree visa exemption).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting H-1B Cap Visa Petitions on April 1, 2019.

H-1B visa petitions that are not selected will be rejected and returned with their filing fees.

What is an H-1B? 

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S.  Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent may be sponsored for H-1B visas.  A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations, and each case depends on a position’s own set of circumstances necessitating complex legal analysis.

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Visa Cap

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to the visa cap, depending on the types of H-1B petition being filed or entity-sponsor.  For examples, when applicable, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers.

Duration of H-1B

In general, H-1B work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years).  Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas may be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Visa Numbers are Used Up

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the 2020 FY H-1B visa cap (October 1, 2019 employment start-date) have the options to have their H-1B cap visa petitions submitted or resubmitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2020 (October 1, 2020 employment start-date) for the FY 2021 H-1B visa cap. They may also consider other immigration options such as other temporary or green card status, if eligible.

For more information on USCIS H-1B Cap selection process, please visit:

https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-fiscal-year-fy-2020-cap-season

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-822four & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Tel (from abroad): 001-7037728224;

https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Aik Wan Kok at Tiya represents companies, employers, individuals and families, located nationwide and internationally, in U.S. Immigration Law.  We focus on diverse immigration cases such as extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM; various green cards; N-400 Naturalization; various waivers; Hs; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professionals; E treaty investor/trader; cases with USCIS, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Consulates and National Visa Center; and many more.

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Immigration to Begin Premium Processing of H-1B Cap Petitions on May 12, 2016     

H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap  

On May 12, 2016, USCIS will begin premium processing of H-1B Cap Petitions selected in the lottery system.  For H-1B Cap Petitions or eligible cases under premium processing, USCIS will adjudicate the case within 15 calendar days. 

On April 1, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting H-1B Cap Petitions for the annual 65,000 government-mandated cap for the 2017 fiscal year (FY), and the 20,000 exemption for H-1B under the U.S. advanced degree.   On April 7, 2016, USCIS announced it had received more than sufficient H-1B Cap Petitions to meet the cap.    

USCIS received over 236,000 H-1B Cap Petitions described above.  On April 9, 2016, USCIS started its computer-generated random selection process (lottery system) and the selection is now complete.   

Those under U.S. advanced degree not selected within the 20,000 visa numbers will be processed under random selection or lottery for the 65,000 limit.  All H-1B Cap Petitions above not selected in the lottery system will be returned with their filing fees.  The filing fees for any H-1B Cap Petitions above with duplicate filings will not be returned.  

What is an H-1B?  

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for specialty occupations.  They are for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S.  Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).  

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions.  A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations.  Each case depends on the position’s overall circumstances, necessitating complex legal analysis.  

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Cap or Quota 

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to the annual visa cap or quota.  It depends on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor.  For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers.   Certain employers are cap exempt. 

Duration of H-1B 

In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years).  Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation. 

 H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Visa Numbers Are Used Up  

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the Fiscal Year 2017 H-1B visa quota (October 1, 2016 employment start-date) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to reach USCIS on April 1, 2017 (with an October 1, 2017 employment start-date) for the 2018 Fiscal Year H-1B visa cap/quota.  They can also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant status, work permit, and self-petition green card filings, if eligible. 

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net 

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardship waivers, marriage waiver, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration?  We represent employers, companies, individuals and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.  Our clients are based within the U.S. and internationally.  We represent diverse immigration cases in naturalization/citizenship, green card, work visas, waiver and other immigration matters.  Some of our cases including, but are not limiting, extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families (child, spouse, brother, sister, stepchild); I-140 for employment; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver for spouse, parent, son and/or daughter or child of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; H-1B professional worker/specialty occupation; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 tourist visiting the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; consular processing with U.S. consulates; consular processing via National Visa Centers; filing cases with the USCIS; filing cases with the U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence by USCIS; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny from USCIS; and Immigration Courts.

All Rights Reserved

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• Filing for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Begun and 5,900 H-1B Cap Petitions Received (April 8, 2011)!
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• 10,200 H-1B Cap Work Visas Have Been Received for FY2012 (May 6, 2011)

USCIS Reaches 2017 H-1B Visa Cap/Quota 

 H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap  

On April 1, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting H-1B Cap Petitions for the annual 65,000 government-mandated cap for the 2017 fiscal year (FY), and the 20,000 exemption for H-1B under the U.S. advanced degree.   On April 7, 2016, USCIS had received more than sufficient H-1B Cap Petitions to meet the cap.   Due to the overwhelming numbers of H-1B Cap Petitions received, USCIS is not yet certain when it will conduct its computer-generated random selection process (lottery).   

Those under U.S. advanced degree not selected within the 20,000 visa numbers will be processed under random selection for the 65,000 limit. 

For prior H-1B cap-seasons, USCIS began premium processing for selected H-1B Cap cases a few weeks after April 1.  

What is an H-1B?  

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S.  Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).  

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions.  A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations, and each case depends on a position’s own set of circumstances necessitating complex legal analysis. 

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap 

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to annual visa cap, depending on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor.  For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers. 

Duration of H-1B 

In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years).  Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

 H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Annual Work Visas Are Used Up  

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the Fiscal Year 2017 H-1B visa quota (October 1, 2016 employment start-date or later) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2017 (October 1, 2017 employment start-date or later) for the Fiscal Year 2018 H-1B visa quota. They can also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant work status and self-petition green card filings, if eligible. 

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Need help with green card, work visas, work permit, sponsoring family, sponsoring employees, sponsoring relatives, hardship waivers, marriage waiver, and cases with USCIS, Department of Labor or immigration?  We represent employers, companies, individuals and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law.  Our clients are based within the U.S. and internationally.  We represent diverse immigration cases in naturalization/citizenship, green card, work visas, waiver and other immigration matters.  Some of our cases including, but are not limiting, extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families (child, spouse, brother, sister, stepchild); I-140 for employment; I-485 to adjust status; I-765 work permit/employment authorization; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver for spouse, parent, son and/or daughter or child of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; H-1B professional worker; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 tourist visiting the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; consular processing with U.S. consulates; consular processing via National Visa Centers; filing cases with the USCIS; filing cases with the U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence by USCIS; NOID Notice of Intention to Deny from USCIS; and Immigration Courts.

All Rights Reserved

More News

• Immigration to Begin Premium Processing of H-1B Cap Petitions on May 12, 2016
• 10,200 H-1B Cap Work Visas Have Been Received for FY2012 (May 6, 2011)
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• Temporary Immigration Relief Measures for Foreign Nationals Affected by Civil Unrest or Natural Disasters
• Filing for H-1B Cap Work Visas Has Begun and 5,900 H-1B Cap Petitions Received (April 8, 2011)!
• USCIS Suspends Premium Processing Service for H-1B Petition FY 2019 Visa Cap
• Immigration Will Begin Returning H-1B Cap Cases Not Selected in the Lottery System. What Can You Do if You Have Not Heard About Your H-1B Cap Petitions?

USCIS Will Begin Accepting Fiscal Year 2016 H-1B Visa Cap Cases on April 1, 2015

H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap 

On April 1, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B Cap Petitions for the annual 65,000 government-mandated cap for the 2015 fiscal year (FY), and the 20, 000 exemption for H-1B under the U.S. advanced degree.

 In April 2014, the USCIS received many more petitions than the visa quota.  As such, the USCIS selected cases based on random selection process (lottery).  On April 7, 2014, USCIS had received 172,500 H-1B Cap Petitions.   The USCIS finished its computer-generated random selection process (lottery) on April 10, 2014.   Those under U.S. advanced degree not selected within the 20,000 visa numbers was processed under random selection for the 65,000 limit.

What is an H-1B? 

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S.

Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card), and then U.S. citizenship.

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions. A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations; each case depends on a position’s own set of circumstances. 

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap 

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to annual visa cap, depending on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor. For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers. 

 Duration of H-1B

 In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years). Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Annual Work Visas Are Used Up 

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the Fiscal Year 2016 H-1B visa quota (October 1 employment start-date or later) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2016 (October 1, 2016 employment start-date or later) for the Fiscal Year 2017 H-1B visa quota. They can also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant work status and self-petition green card filings, if eligible.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship.

By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & koka at tiyalaw dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-772-8224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; http://immigrationresource.net

We represent employers, companies, and individuals and their families in green card, citizenship and work visa matters in U.S. immigration law. We also have a focus on green card cases such as extraordinary ability, national interest waiver, PERM, family; and work visas, family visas, nonimmigrant, and waiver matters.

All Rights Reserved.

More News

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H-1B Visa Cap for FY 2014 Has Been Reached & Lottery Selection Conducted

H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap

On April 5, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received a high number of H-1B Cap Petitions and reached the 65,000 statutory cap for the 2014 fiscal year (FY).  The USCIS has received more than 20, 000 H-1B Cap-Exempt Petitions for those under the U.S. advanced degree.   During the period up to and including April 5, 2013, the USCIS around 124,000 H-1B petitions in total.  After April 5, 2013, USCIS will not accept any more H-1B Cap Petitions and U.S. advanced degree H-1B Cap Exempt Petitions, for FY 2014.

On April 7, 2013, USCIS conducted computer-generated random selection process (lottery) to select a sufficient number of petitions needed to meet the caps of 65,000 for the H-1B cap category and 20,000 under the advanced degree exemption limit.  Those not selected will be returned with filing fees.  Random selection was conducted first for advanced degree H-1B petitions

USCIS received approximately 124,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period, including petitions filed for -1B Cap-Exempt Petitions for those under the U.S. advanced degree, and those not selected were processed under the 65,000 limit.

For this H-1B cap-season purpose only, USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases on April 15, 2013.

What is an H-1B?

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions. A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations; each case depends on a position’s own set of circumstances.

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to annual visa cap, depending on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor. For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers.

Duration of H-1B

In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years). Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Annual Work Visas Are Used Up

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the Fiscal Year 2013 H-1B visa quota (October 1, 2012 employment start-date or later) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2013 (October 1, 2013 employment start-date or later) for the Fiscal Year 2014 H-1B visa quota. They can also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant work status and self-petition green card filings, if eligible.

More News

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• USCIS Received 172,500 H-1B Petitions for Fiscal Year 2015 Visa Quotas, and Random Selection Process (Lottery) Completed on April 10, 2014
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• H-1B Visa Cap for FY 2014 Has Been Reached
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