Important Updates
Important Updates
August 28, 2025 | AlgeriaAlgeria: Accession to Hague Convention
August 29, 2025 | EcuadorEcuador: Delays in Identity Card Appointments and Processing Times
August 29, 2025 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Single Digital Arrival Platform Introduced  
August 29, 2025 | Republic of the PhilippinesPhilippines: New Guidelines Ease and Clarify Work Permit Issuance Provisions
August 29, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Ninth Circuit Affirms District Court Order in Favor of 2023 Venezuela TPS Beneficiaries, But Designation Remains Expired For Now
August 28, 2025 | AlgeriaAlgeria: Accession to Hague Convention
August 29, 2025 | EcuadorEcuador: Delays in Identity Card Appointments and Processing Times
August 29, 2025 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Single Digital Arrival Platform Introduced  
August 29, 2025 | Republic of the PhilippinesPhilippines: New Guidelines Ease and Clarify Work Permit Issuance Provisions
August 29, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Ninth Circuit Affirms District Court Order in Favor of 2023 Venezuela TPS Beneficiaries, But Designation Remains Expired For Now
August 28, 2025 | AlgeriaAlgeria: Accession to Hague Convention
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
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 ImmigrationView More
  • 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
  • View More

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
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

USCIS Receives 275,000 FY 2021 H-1B Cap Registrations, Petition Filing Period Begins

April 1, 2020

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

  • Employers submitted H-1B cap registrations for nearly 275,000 beneficiaries this year, a 37% increase over the FY 2020 filing season. Approximately 126,500 beneficiaries hold U.S. advanced degrees.
  • The overall chance of selection for FY 2021 H-1B cap employment is approximately 31%.
  • USCIS will today begin to accept H-1B cap petitions on behalf of selected beneficiaries.  The filing period will be open for at least 90 days.

A closer look

During its first H-1B cap registration season, USCIS received nearly 275,000 FY 2021 registrations between March 1, and March 20, 2020. Of these, approximately 46%, or 126,500, hold advanced degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education.

Last year, the agency received 201,011 filings during the April 1-5 cap filing period. The previous record for H-1B cap submissions was in 2016, when 236,000 filings were submitted for the FY 2017 H-1B cap.

Odds of selection in the cap lotteries

On March 27, the agency completed two cap lotteries to select the beneficiaries on whose behalf an H-1B cap petition can be filed. The first lottery contained all registered H-1B beneficiaries. USCIS used this lottery to select enough registrations to meet the regular H-1B cap of 65,000. The second lottery contained all registered “master’s cap” beneficiaries who were not selected in the first lottery. USCIS used this lottery to select enough registrations to meet the H-1B cap exemption of 20,000 for holders of U.S. advanced degrees.

This year, the overall odds of selection in the lottery were approximately 31%. The odds for advanced-degree cases are somewhat higher because these filings get a second chance for selection if they are not chosen in the initial lottery.

H-1B cap petition filing period begins

USCIS will today begin to accept H-1B cap petitions on behalf of lottery selectees. The petition filing period will end no earlier than 90 days from today.

Though in most cases a cap petition can be filed at any point during the filing period, some cases may need to be filed at specific times. If the beneficiary is an F-1 student working on optional practical training (OPT) who will need cap-gap protection, the petition must be filed before his or her OPT employment authorization document expires. If the beneficiary is awaiting completion or award of a required degree, the petition must not be filed until the degree has been issued or the beneficiary has obtained documentation from the appropriate school official that degree requirements have been satisfied.

Receipting and adjudication

USCIS is expected to begin receipting and adjudicating H-1B cap petitions as they are received during the filing period. Despite the 90-day duration of the filing period, the agency is expected to receive a large number of cap petitions on or near April 1, which could delay receipting.

Impact of COVID-19 emergency on case processing and premium processing

As previously announced, the agency has temporarily suspended premium processing of all I-129 and I-140 petitions, including cap cases, due to the COVID-19 crisis.

In light of the emergency, USCIS will also accept I-129 petitions, including H-1B cap petitions, with reproduced original signatures. For forms that require an original “wet” signature, per form instructions, USCIS will accept reproduced original signatures for the duration of the National Emergency. This temporary change only applies to signatures. Individuals or entities that submit documents bearing a reproduced original signature must also retain copies of the original documents containing the “wet” signature. USCIS may, at any time, request the original documents, which if not produced, could negatively impact the adjudication of the immigration benefit.

Because the COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly, employers should be prepared for delays and other impacts on case processing in the weeks ahead. 

Fragomen is closely monitoring H-1B cap developments and will issue frequent updates throughout the cap season.

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

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Learn more

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Advocate: Navigating the Complexities of Business Immigration Law

Matawan Managing Partner Rahul Shah reflects on his path in immigration law and shares his perspective on global mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

The 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America™ honors numerous Fragomen attorneys for excellence in immigration law, including Partner Sarah K. Peterson, who received the distinguished “Lawyer of the Year” award.

Learn more

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

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.