USCIS Announces Strengthened Integrity Measures for H-1B Program
We are thrilled to share some significant updates from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding the H-1B program, aimed at enhancing integrity, reducing fraud potential, and improving overall efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of the key announcements:
1. H-1B Registration Final Rule: USCIS has introduced a final rule to fortify the integrity of the H-1B registration process. This rule focuses on implementing beneficiary-centric selection processes, ensuring fairness, and minimizing the chances of system manipulation. Under this new approach, registrations will be selected based on unique beneficiaries rather than registrations, thus ensuring an equitable chance for all beneficiaries, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf. Additionally, USCIS will require valid passport or travel document information for each beneficiary during the registration process, starting with the FY 2025 initial registration period. These measures are designed to curb fraud and uphold the integrity of the H-1B program.
2. FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period: The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap will commence at noon Eastern on March 6, 2024, and will run through noon Eastern on March 22, 2024. Prospective petitioners and their representatives must utilize a USCIS online account to electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee during this period.
3. Organizational Accounts and Online Filing: USCIS will introduce new organizational accounts on February 28, 2024, within the USCIS online account platform. These accounts will enable multiple individuals within an organization and their legal representatives to collaborate on and prepare H-1B registrations, petitions, and associated forms. Moreover, online filing for Form I-129 and associated Form I-907 for non-cap H-1B petitions will commence on February 28, 2024. Beginning April 1, 2024, USCIS will accept online filing for H-1B cap petitions and associated forms for selected registrants.
4. Fee Schedule and Form Updates: A new fee schedule will come into effect after the initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap. However, during the registration period starting in March 2024, the registration fee will remain $10. Additionally, a new edition of Form I-129 with the H-1B registration final rule and fee schedule final rule changes will be available for preview on uscis.gov with an edition date of April 1, 2024. USCIS will only accept the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129 starting April 1, 2024.
5. Filing Fee Adjustment: USCIS recently announced an adjustment in the filing fee for Form I-907 to account for inflation, effective February 26, 2024. If USCIS receives a Form I-907 postmarked on or after February 26, 2024, with an incorrect filing fee, it will reject the form and return the filing fee.
These updates signify USCIS’s commitment to enhancing the H-1B program's integrity, efficiency, and fairness. For more information please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-announces-strengthened-integrity-measures-for-h-1b-program