USCIS
What type of visa does the lottery grant to a selected beneficiary?
The last date in which H-1B Cap cases can be opened
Friday, February 21, 2025
Who registers beneficiaries (FNs) for the Cap lottery?
The legal team with the help of the HR
How do we know if a beneficiary is selected in the lottery?
Where can you find H-1B Cap resources for clients?
Cap Corner in the Resource Center
How many visas are separately allocated for the H-1B master's cap?
20,000 visas for individuals with a master's degree or higher obtained from a U.S. institution.
The date when new Cap cases can be opened in the Envoy Global platform
What was December 11, 2024
What month does registration typically take place?
March
When can dependent cases be opened for H-1B Cap cases?
After we know if a beneficiary has been selected.
Is premium processing available for H-1B Cap cases?
Trick question...we won't know until closer to the time of selection. If it is available, then premium processing can be added to cases that were selected.
What is the maximum number of H-1B visas typically available in a fiscal year?
85,000
Historically, what month of the year are lottery selections first announced by USCIS?
April
How do we know when an FN has been registered for the H-1B Cap lottery?
A Registration ID will be added to the Case Details page; minor milestone will appear in case timeline.
How many days is the usual grace period USCIS provides companies to prepare and file a selected H-1B Cap case?
90 day filing period
Envoy Global offers 4 H-1B Cap case options. Can you name two of them and the corresponding work that the legal team will complete?
Option 0 - The legal team will register the beneficiary but will not provide legal analysis.
Option 1 - The legal team will register the beneficiary and provide legal analysis (including H-1B Cap alternatives)
Option 2 - All included in Option 1 + LCA strategy
Option 3 - Full case preparation
Reminder!! You should never tell FNs about case options, only the HR team is aware of these.
What is the benefit of applying under the Master's Cap?
Beneficiaries technically receive two chances of being selected in the H-1B Cap lottery if they have an eligible Masters degree.
The date on which all cap cases should be in AR and/or have reg portion of Q complete
Friday, February 21, 2025
Which platform are registrations submitted to USCIS?
myUSCIS
Do all cases get filed if they are selected in the H-1B Cap lottery?
No, if a beneficiary is selected in the lottery then the Account Management team will contact the company to confirm if they'd like to proceed with the filing. It is the employer's discretion.
What is the minimum educational requirement for an individual to be eligible for an H-1B visa?
A bachelor's degree or its equivalent is the minimum educational requirement.
To be eligible for the H-1B visa, the offered position must be classified under this occupational category?
Specialty occupation
What is the earliest date an FN outside U.S. with an approved H-1B (Cap) visa can travel into the U.S.?
October 1, 2025
Is there a benefit to being registered early on in the registration window or later?
No, there is no benefit to being registered early in the registration window.
All applicants have an equal chance of being selected so long as they are registered within the registration period. The only exception is beneficiaries who qualify for the Master's Cap.
If a registrant is selected in the lottery, the legal team beings case prep. Case is moved from ‘In Process’ to what?
Attorney Review. The case will move to this status so the legal team can continue case preparation.
What are the two reasons an H-1B Cap case will placed ‘In Process’ status
Ready to be registered in the Cap lottery; When they are pending lottery selection.