The Joys of Using the New H-1B Registration System

The H-1B cap is officially here! Beginning March 1, 2020, we can submit H-1B electronic registrations for H-1B cap applicants for the first time. This year is notable since it is the first time that US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) is using the H-1B electronic registration system on USCIS.gov. The H-1B electronic registration process requires employers seeking to file H-1B cap cases, including master’s cap cases, to first register online and pay a $10 registration fee in order to enter the H-1B lottery. If a case is selected in the lottery, employers will then be permitted to file full H-1B petitions during a filing period of at least ninety days, likely beginning in April. The initial H-1B cap registration period will run from noon on March 1 until noon on March 20, 2020. While there have been some glitches, we have been excitedly (but carefully) entering H-1B electronic registrations all week. It’s okay, Liz, you can take a break now!