Closure of H-1B Initial Registration Period
The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap season concluded at noon Eastern Time on March 25, 2024. USCIS will imminently conduct random selections of sufficient unique beneficiaries from correctly submitted registrations to fulfill the FY 2025 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the master's cap exemption. Subsequently, all prospective petitioners with selected beneficiaries will be notified of their eligibility to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for said beneficiaries. We will provide further updates upon the completion of this selection process.
Transition of H-1B Form I-129 Filing to Lockbox
Effective April 1, 2024, the filing of H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions must no longer be directed to USCIS service centers. All paper-based H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions must be submitted to USCIS lockbox locations. This requirement encompasses cap, non-cap, and cap-exempt H-1B filings.
Any H-1B or H-1B1 (HSC) petitions received at a USCIS service center on or after April 1, 2024, will be rejected without a grace period.
USCIS has designated specific mailing addresses for cases subject to the H-1B cap. To ascertain the correct mailing address, please refer to our Form I-129 Direct Filing Addresses page.
Petitions submitted to the incorrect location may be rejected, forfeiting their filing date. However, rejected petitions may be resubmitted at the correct location or online. H-1B cap subject petitions may be resubmitted within the designated 90-day filing window indicated on the selection notice.
New Fees and Form Edition
A final rule published by USCIS on Jan. 31, 2024, adjusted the fees for most immigration applications and petitions, effective April 1, 2024. Petitions postmarked on or after April 1, 2024, must include the updated fees; otherwise, they will be deemed unacceptable. Additionally, a new edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (dated 04/01/24), will be enforced without a grace period, necessitating the inclusion of the new fee calculation.
Important Details Regarding Form I-129 Submission:
- The 05/31/23 edition of Form I-129 will be accepted if postmarked before April 1, 2024.
- The 05/31/23 edition of Form I-129 will not be accepted if postmarked on or after April 1, 2024.
- Only the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129 will be accepted if postmarked on or after April 1, 2024.
A preview version of the 04/01/24 edition of Form I-129 and its instructions have been made available.
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