The wait is over! The H-1B visa registration process for the fiscal year 2025 (FY 2025) officially kicked off on March 6th, 2024. This program, administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), grants US companies the opportunity to hire foreign workers with specialized skillsets that may not be readily available in the domestic workforce.
Addressing Concerns and Implementing Changes
The H-1B visa system has been a topic of discussion for some time, with concerns raised about the application process and the backlog of green card applications. Recognizing these issues, the White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, reaffirmed President Biden’s commitment to finding solutions within the legal immigration system. In an effort to streamline procedures, USCIS introduced the “myUSCIS organizational accounts” designed to enhance user experience and facilitate collaboration between employers and their representatives during the application process.
Registration Trends and Key Dates
A look at registration trends over the past three years reveals a growing number of applicants vying for a limited number of slots. Here’s a breakdown:
- 2022: 308,613 registrations submitted, with 131,924 applications chosen for further processing.
- 2023: Registrations climbed to 483,927, with 127,600 applications selected.
- 2024: A significant surge occurred, with a record-breaking 780,884 registrations submitted and 188,400 applications selected.
Here are the key dates to remember for the FY 2025 H-1B visa process:
- March 6th: Registration period opens.
- March 22nd: Registration period closes.
- March 31st (target date): USCIS aims to notify selected registrants.
- April 1st: Earliest date for chosen petitioners to submit H-1B petitions for FY 2025.
Registering for the H-1B Visa
If you’re a US employer or agent seeking to hire a foreign worker with an H-1B visa, here’s what you need to do:
- Create a USCIS Online Account: This is the first step, and registration for both employers and agents is now facilitated through the new “myUSCIS organizational account” system.
- Registration Window: The window to register for FY 2025 is open from March 6th to March 22nd, 2024. Important note: Both representatives and registrants cannot create or submit H-1B registrations until March 1st.
- New Account System: Starting February 28th, 2024, a new system will be in place. Individuals managing their own registrations (“registrants”) will utilize an “organizational account,” previously known as a “registrant” account. Existing registrant accounts can be easily upgraded to organizational accounts. Representatives (lawyers or other designated professionals assisting employers) can continue using the existing “representative account” type.
- Registration Fee: Each registration costs $10 and applies to a single beneficiary (the foreign worker).
Addressing the Credit Card Limit Challenge
The high volume of H-1B registrations in previous years presented a challenge – the daily credit card transaction limit often fell short of the total registration fees. Recognizing this hurdle, the U.S. Department of Treasury has implemented a temporary solution. For the FY 2024 H-1B cap season only, the daily credit card transaction limit has been increased from $24,999.99 to $39,999.99.
Alternative Payment Methods
While the increased credit card limit offers more flexibility, alternative payment options remain available:
- Checking Account: You can utilize a US-based checking account to pay the registration fees. Remember to have your routing and account numbers readily available.
- Debit Card: A US-issued debit card can also be used for payment processing.
- Credit Card: If you choose to use a credit card, keep in mind the temporary daily limit of $39,999.99 per card.
The H-1B visa program plays a crucial role in attracting skilled foreign workers who contribute to the US economy. With the registration process now open for FY 2025, employers and agents should familiarize themselves with the new streamlined system and the temporary increase in the credit card transaction limit to ensure a smooth registration experience.
