US Introduces New H-1B Registration Process to Prevent System Gaming
The US has implemented a new beneficiary-centric selection process for H-1B visa registrations to ensure a fair and transparent system, reducing the potential for gaming. This change aims to provide equal opportunities for all applicants.
H1b VisaBeneficiarycentric SelectionUs ImmigrationUscisH1b RegistrationReal Estate NewsJan 26, 2025
The US has recently introduced a new registration process for H-1B visas, aimed at preventing the gaming of the system and ensuring a fair selection process.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a beneficiary-centric selection process for H-1B registrations.
Unlike the previous system, which selected registrations randomly, the new process ensures that each unique beneficiary is entered into the selection process only once, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf.
This means that every beneficiary has an equal chance of being selected, irrespective of how many registrations they have.
If a beneficiary is selected, all registrants who submitted a registration on their behalf will be notified of the selection and will be eligible to file a petition on the beneficiary's behalf during the applicable petition filing period.
This change is designed to reduce the potential for gaming the system, which was a common issue under the previous lottery system where some individuals and companies would submit multiple registrations to increase their chances of being selected.
The latest H-1B cap registration data for the fiscal year 2025 (FY 2025) shows that the beneficiary-centric selection process has effectively met its objective.
There were fewer attempts to gain an unfair advantage compared to previous years.
The US received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year 2025 H-1B numerical allocations, including the advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap.
From the total registrations received, 114,017 beneficiaries were selected, resulting in 120,603 selected registrations in the initial selection for the FY 2025 H-1B cap.
USCIS subsequently announced that they would need to select additional registrations for unique beneficiaries to reach the FY 2025 regular cap numerical allocations.
In the second selection, 13,607 beneficiaries were selected, resulting in 14,534 selected registrations.
On December 2, 2024, USCIS announced that they had received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S.
advanced degree exemption for fiscal year 2025.
During the registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap, there was a significant decrease in the total number of registrations submitted compared to FY 2024, including a decrease in the number of registrations submitted on behalf of beneficiaries with multiple registrations.
The number of unique beneficiaries this year (approximately 442,000) was comparable to the number last year (approximately 446,000).
Similarly, the number of unique employers this year (approximately 52,700) was comparable to the number last year (approximately 52,000).
However, the number of eligible registrations for FY 2025 (470,342) was down dramatically compared to FY 2024 (758,994) — a 38.6% reduction.
This reduction is largely attributed to the new beneficiary-centric selection process, which has effectively reduced the number of multiple registrations submitted on behalf of a single beneficiary.
Overall, there was an average of 1.06 registrations per beneficiary this year in FY 2025, compared to 1.70 for FY 2024.
The 2026 H-1B fiscal year registration window is expected to open in early March 2025.
The USCIS is committed to maintaining transparency and fairness in the H-1B visa selection process, ensuring that every eligible applicant has an equal chance of being selected.
USCIS is the federal agency responsible for overseeing the process of immigration to the United States.
USCIS manages the H-1B visa program, which is crucial for bringing skilled foreign workers to the US to fill specialized roles in various industries.
The agency is dedicated to ensuring that the immigration system is fair, efficient, and in line with the best interests of the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H-1B visa?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, which require theoretical or technical expertise.
What is the beneficiary-centric selection process for H-1B visas?
The beneficiary-centric selection process ensures that each unique beneficiary is entered into the H-1B selection process only once, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf.
Why was the new H-1B registration process introduced?
The new process was introduced to reduce the potential for gaming the system and ensure that each beneficiary has an equal chance of being selected, regardless of the number of registrations submitted.
When is the 2026 H-1B fiscal year registration window expected to open?
The 2026 H-1B fiscal year registration window is expected to open in early March 2025.
What is the H-1B cap and the master’s cap?
The H-1B cap is the annual limit on the number of H-1B visas issued, set at 65,000. The master’s cap is an additional 20,000 visas reserved for individuals with advanced degrees from US institutions.
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