In March 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducted an initial random selection for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap, including beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Only those petitioners with selected registrations for FY 2025 were eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions during the filing period on their registration selection notice, from April 1 through June 30, 2024.
Second Round of Selections
USCIS has determined the need to select additional registrations for unique beneficiaries to meet the FY 2025 regular cap numerical allocation. This selection will be from previously submitted electronic registrations using a random selection process. Prospective petitioners with selected registrations from this second round will be notified that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration.
Important Details:
- No Second Selection for Advanced Degree Exemption: USCIS will not conduct a second selection for the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) as enough registrations were already selected and sufficient petitions were received to meet the FY 2025 master’s cap numerical allocation.
- Inclusion of Master’s Cap Registrations: The second round of selection for the regular cap will include previously submitted registrations that indicated eligibility for the master’s cap along with those that indicated only eligibility for the regular cap.
- Account Updates: Those with selected registrations will have their USCIS online accounts updated to include a selection notice, detailing when and where to file.
Next Steps:
USCIS will announce once the second process of selections and notifications is completed. Petitioners with selected registrations should keep an eye on their USCIS online accounts for updates. This development provides a second chance for many applicants who were not selected in the initial round, offering renewed hope for their H-1B aspirations.
Conclusion
The USCIS’s decision to conduct a second round of H-1B selections for FY 2025 provides another opportunity for applicants who were not selected initially. This move aims to meet the regular cap numerical allocation by including both regular and advanced degree registrations. Although there will be no additional selection for the master’s cap, this process ensures a fair chance for all eligible applicants. Selected registrants will receive updates in their USCIS online accounts with detailed filing instructions.
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