Important Updates
Important Updates
June 30, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status Designation with Fixed Periods of Stay for F, J, and I Nonimmigrants Is Sent to OMB for Review
June 30, 2025 | Japan2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
June 30, 2025 | Saudi Arabia, United Arab EmiratesArab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth
June 30, 2025 | Costa RicaCosta Rica: Potential Fraud and Technical Issues with General Immigration Directorate’s Website May Cause Delays
June 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
June 30, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status Designation with Fixed Periods of Stay for F, J, and I Nonimmigrants Is Sent to OMB for Review
June 30, 2025 | Japan2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェスト
June 30, 2025 | Saudi Arabia, United Arab EmiratesArab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth
June 30, 2025 | Costa RicaCosta Rica: Potential Fraud and Technical Issues with General Immigration Directorate’s Website May Cause Delays
June 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
June 30, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status Designation with Fixed Periods of Stay for F, J, and I Nonimmigrants Is Sent to OMB for Review
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Reminder: FY 2020 H-1B Cap Starts April 1

February 7, 2019

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • Demand for FY 2020 H-1B cap numbers is expected to be high, as in past years.
  • Employers should continue to work with their immigration counsel to identify cap needs, submit labor condition applications and collect supporting documents.
  • USCIS has not yet announced whether premium processing will be available for FY 2020 cap cases.
  • The new H-1B cap online registration system recently unveiled by DHS will not take effect until the FY 2021 H-1B cap, which begins April 1, 2020.

The situation

The H-1B cap season for fiscal year (FY) 2020 will begin on Monday, April 1, 2019.  With less than two months until opening day of the filing period, employers should be working closely with their Fragomen team to finalize H-1B needs, gather necessary documents and submit labor condition applications (LCAs), so that they are ready to file H-1B cap petitions during the week of Monday, April 1 to Friday, April 5, 2019.  Employers should continue to prepare for this cap season as they have in past years, though changes are on the horizon for future years, as discussed below.

Demand for new H-1Bs is expected to remain high in this year’s filing season.  Last year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received 190,098 filings -- similar to the prior year, but still far exceeding the 85,000 quota. Pent-up demand, low U.S. unemployment rates, and continued economic growth will mean tight competition for H-1B cap numbers again this year.

Employers who are not prepared to submit their cap petitions during the first five business days of April could be shut out of access to the limited number of H-1Bs available for new employment in the next fiscal year.  Missing the FY 2020 quota means that an employer would not be able to file petitions for cap-subject H-1B employment until early 2020 for start dates in FY 2021, which begins October 1, 2020.

Premium processing for FY 2020 H-1B cap cases

USCIS has not yet announced whether premium processing will be available for FY 2020 H-1B cap cases. Last year, USCIS suspended premium processing for FY 2019 cap cases, and only lifted that suspension on January 25, 2019 – making it beneficial for long-pending FY 2019 cap cases only.  (The premium processing suspension remains in place for most other H-1B filings.) 

Fragomen is closely monitoring the status of premium processing for the FY 2020 cap and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

New for this year: reversing the H-1B cap lotteries

This season, USCIS will run the standard H-1B cap lottery, followed by the advanced-degree lottery, pursuant to the new H-1B registration rule.  The change is intended to increase the number of H-1B employees with U.S. advanced degrees, pursuant to President Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” Executive Order.  USCIS estimates that the change will result in an increase of approximately 5,340 advanced-degree selections; business immigration stakeholders have estimated a more modest increase.

Looking ahead

The long-anticipated online H-1B cap registration system, established by the recent H-1B registration rule, is expected to be operational for the FY 2021 H-1B cap season, beginning April 1, 2020. 

Once implemented, the new system will require employers to submit a brief online registration for each prospective H-1B beneficiary. Employers would only file full cap petitions for registrations selected in the cap lottery.  The Department of Homeland Security is expected to provide further details on the system’s operation early next year. 

The H-1B cap timeline is expected to change under the new system. USCIS will announce the dates of the H-1B registration period at least 30 days in advance, and the period will begin in mid-March or earlier.  Employers will need to begin working with their counsel to identify and vet the eligibility of prospective H-1B candidates in advance of the registration period.  Though online registration will make it easier to enter the H-1B lottery, USCIS will be monitoring the system to ensure that it is not “flooded” with non-meritorious registrations. If a registration is selected, employers must be ready to submit a cap petition within a designated filing period.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Plans “Emergency Agency” to Approve H-2A Visas

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how employment-based immigration supports the US agricultural sector amid labor shortages and evolving policies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Middle East Tensions Show Importance of Caring for Mobile Talent

Partner Abeer Al Husseini shares how employers can support mobile talent through travel readiness, immigration awareness and a people-focused approach.

Learn more

Blog post

The EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Managers and Executives: Exploring Non-Traditional Pathways to Permanent Residency

Associate Whitney Luman discusses the EB-1C Green Card for multinational managers and executives, exploring non-traditional pathways to permanent residency.

Learn more

Video

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Staying in Canada Post-Graduation

Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Learn more

Blog post

A New Beginning: The Rise of Highly Skilled Visa and Digital Nomad Visa Options in APAC

Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat, Senior Manager Amy Zhang, Immigration Program Manager Melissa Ngeow and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist Faye Amorado discuss the increasing popularity of highly skilled visas and digital nomad visas in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Canada's Semiconductor Council: Strengthening Canada’s Semiconductor Talent Pipeline for Global Competitiveness

Partner Cosmina Morariu contributed to Canada’s Semiconductor Council 2025 Talent & Workforce Development report, highlighting immigration’s role in closing talent gaps.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized with Community Service Award at Woori Center 2025 Gala

Fragomen was honored with the Community Service Award at the Woori Center 2025 Gala on June 21, 2025 in Philadelphia.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How HR Can Prepare for the ETIAS Rollout

Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis explains how HR teams can prepare for the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation system by communicating changes, supporting employees and ensuring compliance.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年6月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Growing Saudi Film Industry Driving Job Creation, Economic Growth

Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Learn more

Awards

Silicon Valley Business Journal Recognizes Partner Cindy Jen Among 2025 Women of Influence

Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 LAR and Canada Immigration Trends: Balancing Control and Opportunity

This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: DOL Plans “Emergency Agency” to Approve H-2A Visas

Partner Rachel Beardsley highlights how employment-based immigration supports the US agricultural sector amid labor shortages and evolving policies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Middle East Tensions Show Importance of Caring for Mobile Talent

Partner Abeer Al Husseini shares how employers can support mobile talent through travel readiness, immigration awareness and a people-focused approach.

Learn more

Blog post

The EB-1C Green Card for Multinational Managers and Executives: Exploring Non-Traditional Pathways to Permanent Residency

Associate Whitney Luman discusses the EB-1C Green Card for multinational managers and executives, exploring non-traditional pathways to permanent residency.

Learn more

Video

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Staying in Canada Post-Graduation

Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Learn more

Blog post

A New Beginning: The Rise of Highly Skilled Visa and Digital Nomad Visa Options in APAC

Practice Leader Kate Praphakornphiphat, Senior Manager Amy Zhang, Immigration Program Manager Melissa Ngeow and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist Faye Amorado discuss the increasing popularity of highly skilled visas and digital nomad visas in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Canada's Semiconductor Council: Strengthening Canada’s Semiconductor Talent Pipeline for Global Competitiveness

Partner Cosmina Morariu contributed to Canada’s Semiconductor Council 2025 Talent & Workforce Development report, highlighting immigration’s role in closing talent gaps.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized with Community Service Award at Woori Center 2025 Gala

Fragomen was honored with the Community Service Award at the Woori Center 2025 Gala on June 21, 2025 in Philadelphia.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: How HR Can Prepare for the ETIAS Rollout

Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis explains how HR teams can prepare for the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation system by communicating changes, supporting employees and ensuring compliance.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.