USCIS has completed the random selection process for reaching the H-1B cap and the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) for fiscal year (FY) 2019.
Between April 2nd and April 6th, USCIS received 190,098 H-1B petitions, including those counting towards the advanced degree exemption. USCIS received approximately 9,000 fewer petitions than were received for last year’s H-1B cap. The general statutory cap is 65,000 petitions, and the master’s cap is 20,000. USCIS randomly selected visas in the master’s cap category first, from which unselected petitions became part of the 65,000 cap lottery.
USCIS will continue to process cap-exempt petitions, as well as petitions for current H-1B workers to:
- Extend stay in the U.S.;
- Change employers;
- Work concurrently in another H-1B position;
- Change terms of employment.
USCIS will return unselected petitions with their filing fees. Current H-1B workers who have been counted towards the cap will not be counted towards the FY 2019 cap.?For more frequent updates, please follow us on?Twitter?(@GrahamAdairLaw).