USCIS extends FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period till March 25

Extension provides relief for applicants amid system outage concerns; the agency “still intends to notify selected registrants by March 31, 2024.”

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap due to technical glitches in the registration system. The agency announced on Thursday that the registration period, initially set to close on March 22, 2024, will now run until March 25, 2024.

The registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap opened on March 6, 2024, at noon Eastern Time. However, the opening was marred by a glitch in the system, causing concern among immigration attorneys, as reported by the American Bazaar on March 8.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) received reports regarding missing signatures on the PDF version of Form G-28, a document required for H-1B cap registrations when submitted by attorneys.

RELATED: Glitch in H-1B registration system causes concern among immigration attorneys (March 8, 2024)

In addition to that, there were other glitches, such as the inability to pay the registration fee, frequent freezing of the system, and different types of error messages.

AILA had requested an extension because of the glitches caused by the system.

In response to the system outage, USCIS has decided to extend the registration period to provide additional time for affected registrants to submit their applications. The extension aims to ensure that all eligible applicants have a fair opportunity to participate in the H-1B cap registration process.

“USCIS is aware of a temporary system outage experienced by some registrants, and is extending the registration period to provide additional time due to this issue,” the agency said on Thursday.

READ: New beneficiary-centric approach likely to cut number of H-1B registrations by half (March 5, 2024)

USCIS said it “still intends to notify selected registrants by March 31, 2024.”

The extension of the registration period will provide relief to individuals and employers who encountered difficulties during the initial registration process. Eligible applicants can now take advantage of the extended registration period to submit their H-1B cap registrations before the new deadline on March 25, 2024, at noon Eastern Time.

The agency launched the new myUSCIS organizational accounts on February 28, 2024, enabling multiple individuals within an organization, along with their legal representatives, to collaborate on and prepare H-1B registrations, H-1B petitions, and associated Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. Participation in the H-1B Electronic Registration Process requires a new organizational account.

READ: Everything you need to know about H-1B visa program 

The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require specialized knowledge and skills. Each fiscal year, USCIS sets a cap on the number of H-1B visas that can be issued, with a portion reserved for individuals holding advanced degrees from U.S. universities.

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Odds have worsened in H-1B visa lottery: study (February 27, 2024)