USCIS returns unselected H-1B cap petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Tuesday that it has finished processing the returns of H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in this year’s computer-generated lottery. It may still take a week or longer, however, before all returned petitions are actually received.

USCIS received nearly 233,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions during this year’s filing period, which began April 1. Congressional quotas for H-1B visas are set at 65,000 for undergraduate-degree holders plus an additional 20,000 for foreign nationals with a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. university.

USCIS completed the lottery in April and subsequently began returning petitions that were not selected.

BAL Analysis: While USCIS has completed processing the returns of petitions that were not selected, it will take time before all returned petitions are received. BAL continues working with employers on possible alternative visa options for foreign workers who were not selected in the H-1B lottery.

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