By Sang Shin
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently made an announcement that they will begin accepting registrations for the upcoming 2022 H-1B fiscal year starting on March 9, 2021 at 12 p.m. ET and ending on March 25, 2021 at 12 p.m. ET.
The H-1B visa is the most popular visa in the U.S., as it allows for companies to sponsor employees who hold a “specialty occupation” or a job that requires at least a Bachelor’s degree in a specific field. The H-1B is subject to an annual quota where only 65,000 new H-1Bs are selected per year, with an additional 20,000 reserved for U.S. Master’s degree holders.
Each year, the demand for H-1Bs generally exceeds the supply – wherein USCIS will conduct a random selection process (“the lottery”) to determine which employers will be allowed to submit a petition with USCIS.
If a registration is successfully submitted between the dates mentioned above, USCIS intends on notifying selected registrants by no later than March 31, 2021.
H-1B petitions are popular due to the wide-range of individuals that may qualify for the visa and also because H-1Bs allow for “dual intent,” which means that an individual may have the intention of working in the U.S. temporarily under the H-1B and also concurrently move forward with their lawful permanent residence process.
Beneficiaries are able to change status from other temporary visas (i.e. F-1, TN, L-1, O-1) to the H-1B or apply for an H-1B from abroad pursuant to a “Consular Notification” process.
For questions on the H-1B or for help registering, please contact a Jackson Walker attorney.
Related Resources:
- JW Coronavirus Insights & Resources microsite »
- JW Fast Takes Podcasts & Webinars »
- JW Fast Takes Episode: “What Happens to President Trump’s Immigration Proclamations During President Biden’s First 100 Days?” (January 15, 2021) »
Please note: This article and any resources presented on the JW Coronavirus Insights & Resources site are for informational purposes only, do not constitute legal or medical advice, and are not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. The laws of other states and nations may be entirely different from what is described. Your use of these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.
