Begins? – March 1, 2020
Ends? – March 20, 2020 (may be extended)
Fee? – $10
What are the important time lines? – see heading “H-1B Registration Process Timeline” at https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-electronic-registration-process.
If selected in the lottery then what? – USCIS will allow for a 90-day window beginning April 1, to file the CAP-subject petition (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-00302/p-256).
Foreign National Qualification for position? – at the time of filing NOT at time of registration (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-00302/p-176). As a result, you may register for a foreign national that has not yet attained their degree at the time of registration, BUT WILL attain their degree within the 90-day window allowed for filing, , unless the electronic registration process is suspended by USCIS.
What happens if registration is suspended? – USCIS will revert to the previous system of lottery selection based on petitions filed (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-00302/p-725).
Electronic Registration becomes inoperable? – USCIS will make an announcement of the suspension [of the electronic registration process] on its website (http://www.uscis.gov) along with the opening date of the applicable H-1B cap-subject petition-filing period” (https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-00302/p-724).
Selection process? – All registered applications (Bachelor’s and U.S. Master’s degree holders) are placed into the “lottery” to select the first 65,000 of the regular cap. Then the unselected U.S, Master’s degree holders are placed into the “exempt lottery” to select the 20,000 “master’s cap”. This results in a higher probability of selection for U.S. Master’s degree holders.
We are available to assist you with preparing an H-1B petition or any other immigration matter.