USCIS today announced that it received approximately 172,500 FY 2015 H-1B cap petitions between April 1 and April 7, 2014 – some 48,000 more petitions than were received during the FY 2014 filing period.
The agency ran two lotteries to choose the cases that will be processed to completion. The first lottery selected enough cases to fill the cap exemption for 20,000 holders of U.S. advanced degrees. Once the advanced-degree lottery was completed, USCIS placed the remaining cases – approximately 152,500 – into a second lottery to select enough cases to fill the standard H-1B quota of 65,000. The number of advanced-degree cases filed with USCIS is not known.
This year, cases had a roughly 42 percent chance of being chosen in the standard cap lottery – a significant drop from last year, when some 62.5 percent were chosen.
What This Means for Employers
Employers will not know which of their cases were selected in the lottery until USCIS completes initial case data entry and issues filing receipts, which could take several days or weeks. Cases that were not chosen in the lotteries will be rejected and returned with their filing fees.
As we have reported previously, the agency is expected to begin adjudication of premium processing cases no later than April 28. Today’s announcement made no change to that estimate.
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.
Media mentions
Paralegal Sean Pearce discusses the UK government's immigration White Paper in the context of its Industrial Strategy, noting the importance of overseas talent in meeting infrastructure and housing goals.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Partner Christian Dallman shares an update on US tariffs as the August 1 deadline for trade negotiations approaches.
Media mentions
Partner Haider Hussain discussed how Saudi Arabia’s new skill-based work permit system is reshaping employer compliance and recruitment strategies.
Podcast
Director Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa and Manager Tarissa Wareley are joined by Bloomfield Law Practice's Kunle Obebe and Peace Lotechukwu to discuss Nigeria's 2025 visa policy reforms.
Media mentions
Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.
Blog post
Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.
Media mentions
Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.
Media mentions
Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Senior Associate Tayyaba Karim and Associates Aisha Shahid and Yinny Tan outline how UK immigration changes affect tech talent access and business alignment.
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet is quoted on a new country-specific, $250 "visa integrity fee" introduced by the current US administration as part of a domestic policy bill.
Media mentions
Paralegal Sean Pearce discusses the UK government's immigration White Paper in the context of its Industrial Strategy, noting the importance of overseas talent in meeting infrastructure and housing goals.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Partner Christian Dallman shares an update on US tariffs as the August 1 deadline for trade negotiations approaches.
Media mentions
Partner Haider Hussain discussed how Saudi Arabia’s new skill-based work permit system is reshaping employer compliance and recruitment strategies.
Podcast
Director Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa and Manager Tarissa Wareley are joined by Bloomfield Law Practice's Kunle Obebe and Peace Lotechukwu to discuss Nigeria's 2025 visa policy reforms.
Media mentions
Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.
Blog post
Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.
Media mentions
Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.