U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that it has returned all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in this year’s computer-generated lottery.

Employers are reminded that it may take a week or longer before they receive returned petitions.

USCIS received more than 236,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions between April 1 and April 7. The agency completed the lottery April 12 and began returning unselected petitions May 2.

BAL Analysis: BAL has not yet received all returned petitions or receipts for cases and expects a surge in inquiries to USCIS following today’s announcement. Therefore, final word on these cases may be pending for some time. Meanwhile, BAL continues to work with employers on possible alternative visa options for foreign workers who were not selected in the H-1B lottery.

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

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.