USCIS Announces H-1B Cap Lottery Results for FY 2025 Amid Visa Application Deadline Extension and Fee Hikes

USCIS, via X (formerly Twitter), revealed that random selections for Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B cap petitions have been completed, with notifications being dispatched to myUSCIS accounts. A technical snag on the USCIS website extended the visa application deadline for the financial year 2025 by three days, now ending on March 25th, 2024. USCIS ensures potential petitioners will be contacted to confirm their eligibility for H1B cap submissions.

Demand for H-1B visas perennially surpasses the 85,000 annual cap, necessitating a lottery system for selection. Indian tech professionals have historically dominated H1B visas, securing over 70% of the allocation, including the master's quota. USCIS projects around 350,000 applications this year, a slight decrease due to intensified anti-fraud measures. Notably, out of 759,000 registrations last year, over 400,000 were duplicates.

USCIS also announced substantial fee hikes for H1B, L-1, and O-1 petitions, with increases ranging from 70% to 201%. Effective April 1, Form I-129 filing for H-1B and H-1B1 petitions will shift to USCIS lockbox facilities, eliminating submissions at service centers. No grace period will be afforded for misdirected filings post-April 1. Additionally, USCIS introduced "MyUSCIS," facilitating online collaboration for H-1B registrations and petitions.

Further, USCIS notified about fee changes for most immigration applications and petitions effective April 1, 2024.