Effective Date for New USCIS Fees, H-1B Cap Registration Dates for FY 2025, and Other Updates

USCIS Fees Increasing April 1st

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced significant increases to numerous fees that will take effect on April 1, 2024. USCIS has published a full list of updated fees and answers to commonly asked questions. With this update, its first fee increase since 2016, USCIS aims to defray the cost of its humanitarian programs.

Notably, since FY2025 H-1B lottery registration occurs before the new fee schedule takes effect, the H-1B cap registration fee has not increased (remains $10). However, the new increased fees will affect FY2025 H-1B cap petitions filed with USCIS following lottery selection.

FY2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period

The initial registration period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap will run from March 6–22, 2024. If your organization wishes to submit an H-1B lottery registration, please contact the ImLaw team immediately to get started on your case.

New Process Fights H-1B Fraud for the FY2025 Season

USCIS is updating H-1B registration to a “beneficiary-centric” process where registrations will be selected by unique beneficiary rather than by registration. This new process is designed to reduce the potential for fraud and ensure all beneficiaries have the same chance of being selected regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf by an employer.

Questions? Contact us at info@imlaw.biz.