On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the USCIS’ H-1B registration period will officially open. This period will remain open until March 25, 2021.

During these three weeks, ILBSG will register all prospective H-1B employees for our clients using USCIS’ registration system. At the conclusion of the registration period, USCIS will announce the selections on March 31, 2021. If selected, H-1B petitions will be filed from April 1- June 30, 2021.

During the next three weeks, ILBSG asks its clients to diligently monitor all emails from the law firm, as the registration process includes passcode validation to authenticate our legal representation as well as electronic signature of the forms. From now until March 25, ILBSG attorneys will work closely with our clients to ensure a painless, seamless process.

Ahead of next week, ILBSG reminds its clients of the following:

  • Registration does not require an end client project, a LCA, or any supporting documentation. All we need to register a prospective employee is basic information. The USCIS registration fee is minimal at only $10 per candidate.
  • If you have prospective H-1B employees you wish to file for, but who do not yet have a project, that should not deter you from registering. As long as you obtain a project before June 30, we will be able to file an H-1B petition if the candidate is selected. The project must exist at the time of filing the H-1B petition, not at the registration date.
  • Next year, unless something changes, the H-1B Cap will be moving to a wage-based system set to go into effect on 12/31/2021. This means USCIS will prioritize the highest wage levels rather than a random lottery in making the H-1B selections. This year is likely the last year to file while the system remains a lottery. As such, LBSG encourages it clients to take advantage of the H-1B Cap this year, while the H-1B landscape remains favorable and we are seeing historic rates of straight 3-year approvals.

The H-1B registration period opens on Tuesday, so please register all candidates on the MyEsq portal as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to an ILBSG attorney today. We are here to help.

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