The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced its intention to perform another round of H-1B visa selections. With this additional round, the USCIS expects to meet its registration quota for the 2025 fiscal year. As such, anyone who submitted an electronic registration for the 2025 fiscal year will receive another opportunity to secure a visa number.

The USCIS processed its first random selection of electronic registrations for the 2025 fiscal year’s H-1B visa cap earlier this year. This selection included those who qualified for the advanced degree exemption. The beneficiaries of these selections can file cap-subject petitions for an H-1B visa during the filing period. This initial filing period ran from April 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024, for selected beneficiaries.

According to the USCIS, the initial selection rate selected a little over 120,000 registrations out of over 470,000 eligible beneficiaries. As such, the USCIS determined that it would require additional registrations for the 2025 fiscal year’s H-1B visa cap. To do this, the agency will run another H-1B lottery via a random electronic selection. This lottery will include only those who have already submitted registrations.

The USCIS also clarified that it will not perform another selection for the advanced degree exemption. According to the USCIS, the first selection round proved sufficient to meet the advanced degree cap. However, the USCIS further clarified that this second H-1B lottery will include the beneficiaries of the advanced degree cap and the regular.

After completing the H-1B lottery, the USCIS will notify selected beneficiaries that they may file a petition for the H-1B visa. This notification will appear on their USCIS online accounts. Furthermore, the USCIS assured interested parties that it would announce when it completes the process so chosen beneficiaries can check their accounts. The notification on their accounts will provide details of when and how they can file.

Many agreed that employers will find this second H-1B lottery, as it offers another chance for their registrants to receive an H-1B visa and begin working. While waiting for this opportunity, employers should review other documentation in preparation for the lottery’s results. For example, they should ensure that their employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) process complies with the law.

One way to ensure compliance is by using an electronic I-9 management system. This system offers step-by-step guidance for HR personnel, ensuring they do not miss important details. It also provides secure and convenient electronic storage for Form I-9s and related documentation, optional E-Verify integration, and notifications of when to take further action.

Learn more about automating your employment eligibility verification and ensuring compliance with I-9Compliance.

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