March 28, 2023

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began the H-1B electronic registration process on March 1, 2023. Many employers rely on this registration process to hire H-1B workers subjected to the H-1B cap. However, according to the USCIS, some users could not finish the H-1B registration process. As a result, the agency decided to extend the registration deadline because users have experienced similar technical difficulties with the process.

During the H-1B registration process, the employer provides general information about the prospective petitioner and each worker they want to register. The initial registration process lasts at least fourteen calendar days every calendar year. After this, the H-1B selection process turns to correctly submitted electronic registrations. Over 48,000 prospective petitioners have submitted registrations. However, approximately 31% of eligible registrations asked for consideration as part of the advanced degree exemption.

A prospective petitioner wanting to submit an H-1B registration must start by creating an online account. First, they must use a registrant account on the myUSCIS website to submit registrations. Once done, they should choose the account type “I am a resident.” This information is all they can enter until the initial registration period starts. In addition, residents submitting registrations themselves must include information about the company they intend to work for during their first H-1B registration. Representatives can also create an account if they do not already have one.

As regulations require, the USCIS evaluates historical data associated with approvals, denials, revocations, and other applicable factors. The USCIS considers this data when calculating the number of petitions required to meet the H-1B cap for a particular fiscal year.

The current fee is $10 per registration. The registrant or their representative must pay this fee, which is non-refundable. The last day of the registration period is March 20, which ends at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Selected registrants should be notified by April 1.

Employers who hire H-1B workers must complete the employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) process. However, the frequently changing regulations and the many applicable documents can make completing this form complicated. The easiest way to ensure you complete Form I-9 correctly is to use an electronic I-9 management system. This system will guide you through the process and safely store the forms and documentation for easy retrieval.

Streamline your hiring process with an automated employment eligibility verification and ensure compliance today with I-9 Compliance.

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