USCIS to Allow h-1b Employers to Create H-1B Registrant Accounts Beginning February 24, 2020

By: Jacqueline Valle

SUMMARY

As United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implements the electronic registration process for the fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-1B cap lottery, H-1B employers must create a new “H-1B registrant” account through the myUSCIS portal. USCIS will begin to allow H-1B employers to create an account on February 24, 2020.

Background

On January 9, 2020, USCIS formally announced the implementation of the electronic registration process for the FY 2021 H-1B cap season. The initial H-1B registration period will begin on March 1, 2020 at 12:00 pm EST, and will end on March 20, 2020 at 12:00 pm EST. H-1B employers, or their attorneys or accredited representatives, will be required to register prospective H-1B employees electronically and pay a $10 registration fee. USCIS intends to notify registrants of their selection no later than March 31, 2020.

What to Expect

H-1B employers will go through a two-step verification process and will be required to answer additional security questions to create an online account. Employers cannot use a previously created myUSCIS account as a “Petitioner.” Instead, they must create a new “H-1B registrant” account, used solely for the purpose of H-1B registration.

The account can be used by a petitioning employer to register a prospective H-1B employee directly. Alternatively, the employer can register prospective H-1B employees through their attorney or accredited representative. Once the employer reviews and approves the H-1B registrant’s information, an electronic “handshake” is required to link the attorney’s and employer’s accounts.

Stay Updated

For more details on the H-1B electronic registration process, please email us at info@chugh.com. Share this alert and others with your contacts who might benefit.