As of early March 2022, the US has received enough applications to meet the federally mandated 65,000 H-1B Visa ceiling for the fiscal year 2022.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits US businesses to hire foreign employees in specialized vocations that require theoretical or technical knowledge. Every year, technology businesses rely on it to hire tens of thousands of workers from nations such as India and China.

This year, the USCIS was required to hold three visa lotteries in order to reach the mandated quota of 65,000 normal visas and 20,000 master’s visas. The agency had also performed two lotteries the previous year, which was uncommon. After the first round of choices, the USCIS usually gets a sufficient number of applications. Because there were insufficient applicants after the first lottery, the US Immigration office held a second random selection in July 2021.

The USCIS operates on an October to September calendar, thus candidates chosen for FY2022 would be able to begin employment in October 2022. It said in November that it will hold a third lottery to meet its goal. According to immigration experts, this is due to fewer companies following through on their applications after being accepted, with staff continuing to work remotely.

According to the USCIS, applications that are otherwise exempt from the cap will continue to be accepted and processed.

“Petitions filed for existing H-1B employees who have previously been counted against the cap and who still hold their cap number are exempt from the FY 2022 H-1B cap,” the government agency stated.

In the meantime, the USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions to prolong the length of time an existing H-1B worker may stay in the US, adjust the employment terms for current H-1B workers, allow current H-1B workers to change employers, and permit current H-1B workers to work simultaneously in additional H-1B positions.

Are You Interested in Applying for an H-1B Visa for 2023?

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