The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new system to streamline the process for H-1B visa applications.
The new system, called my USCIS, is for organizational accounts and allows multiple people within an organisation, as well as their legal representatives, to collaborate on and prepare H-1B registrations and H-1B petitions.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa and is commonly used by US companies to hire foreign workers for specialised occupations requiring technical expertise. Companies, especially in the technology sector, rely on this visa to employ thousands of workers from countries like India and China each year.
According to the USCIS, 72.6% of H-1B visas in the 2022 fiscal went to Indians and China came in second with 12.5%.
NEW SYSTEM FOR H1B PETITIONS MORE EFFICIENT
With the new system, organisations can create accounts to facilitate the preparation of H-1B registrations, petitions, and associated forms ‘Form I-907’ more efficiently.
The primary purpose of ‘Form I-907’ is to request Premium Processing Service on certain petitions or applications.
The US department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses the information to grant or deny the immigration benefit one is seeking, USCIS said in a statement on Wednesday.
Starting in March 2024, organisations will need to create a new organisational account to participate in the H-1B Electronic Registration Process. This step is essential for those planning to file H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2025.
“We are working expeditiously to address any technical issues that may arise for legal representatives whose accounts migrated when they logged into their online account on or after February 14, 2024, including impacts on cases other than H-1B filings,” USCIS was quoted by PTI as saying.
The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap will open on March 6 and run through March 22.
During this period, prospective petitioners must register each beneficiary electronically and pay the associated registration fee using a USCIS online account.
Starting with the FY 2025 initial registration period, USCIS will require registrants to provide a valid passport or travel document information for each beneficiary.
This information is crucial for visa issuance and entry into the US.
In addition to the new system, USCIS will launch an online filing for Form I-129 and associated Form I-907 for non-cap H-1B petitions in March.
From April 1, online filing for H-1B cap petitions and associated forms will begin for selected registrants.