USCIS Announces Key Changes to H-1B Visa Filing Procedures for FY 2025
The initial registration period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap season concluded at noon Eastern Time on March 25, 2024. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will soon conduct a random selection of sufficient unique beneficiaries from the properly submitted registrations to meet the FY 2025 H-1B numerical allocations. This selection process includes candidates for both the regular cap and the advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap.
Important Filing Location Change for H-1B Form I-129
Starting from April 1, 2024, there will be a significant change in the filing location for H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions. USCIS has mandated that all paper-based H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions must be filed at designated USCIS lockbox locations. This directive encompasses cap, non-cap, and cap-exempt H-1B filings. Petitions received at a USCIS service center on or after April 1, 2024, will be rejected, and no grace period will be provided.
On January 31, 2024, USCIS published a final rule adjusting the fees required for most immigration applications and petitions. These new fees take effect on April 1, 2024. Petitions postmarked on or after this date must include the updated fees, or they will not be accepted. In conjunction with these changes, a new edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, will be required for filings postmarked on or after April 1, 2024.
Transitioning to Online Filing and Introduction of Organizational Accounts
USCIS launched new online organizational accounts on February 28, 2024, allowing for enhanced collaboration within organizations and with legal representatives on H-1B registrations and petitions. This initiative also includes the online filing of Form I-129 and associated Form I-907 for non-cap H-1B petitions, expanding to H-1B cap petitions and associated Forms I-907 starting April 1, for those registrations that have been selected.
Elimination of Pre-paid Mailers for H-1B Filings
Effective March 25, USCIS discontinued the use of prepaid mailers for sending any communication or final notices for H-1B or H-1B1 (HSC) petitions. This change aligns with the move to lockbox or online filings for these petition types.
The adjustments to the H-1B filing procedures, including the new filing locations, updated fees, and the shift towards online submissions, are crucial for petitioners to understand to ensure compliance and the successful submission of their H-1B petitions. As USCIS continues to update its processes, staying informed on the latest regulations is essential for navigating the complexities of H-1B filings.
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