USCIS to formally announce opening of H-1B registration period

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has posted a prepublication version of a notice providing additional details about the H-1B online registration process that will begin March 1 for the upcoming cap season. An official version of the notice is expected to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register.

Key points:

• Registration period. The registration period will open March 1 and is expected to close March 20, but USCIS will announce the actual end date on its website and will then provide step-by-step registration instructions.
• Setting up an account. Employers and their authorized representatives must set up online accounts in order to submit registrations, and will be able to do so prior to March 1. USCIS will post the date that users may begin to set up accounts, along with instructions on how to set up an account.
• Submitting registrations. Petitioners or their authorized representative must electronically submit a separate registration naming each prospective H-1B cap-subject individual. They may register multiple individuals during a single online session. Registrants will be able to prepare, edit, and store records in their account prior to final payment and submission. Only one registration may be submitted per H-1B candidate; if a petitioner submits more than one registration for the same individual in the same fiscal year, USCIS will invalidate all registrations for that individual.
• H-1B selection notification process. USCIS will send an email or text to all registrants whose registrations are selected, indicating that an action has been added to their account. The account holder must log in to the account to see the full notice. USCIS intends to notify all selected registrants no later than March 31.

BAL Analysis: Employers should prepare for the registration period opening March 1 and anticipate setting up an online account before that date. BAL is closely following the introduction of the H-1B registration system and will continue to provide information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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