On April 10, 2019, USCIS announced it used a computer-generated random selection process to select enough H-1B petitions to meet the congressionally-mandated regular cap and U.S. advance degree exemption (Master’s cap) for fiscal year (FY) 2020.
USCIS received 201,011 petitions during the filing period, which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 5, USCIS announced it had received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated H-1B regular cap of 65,000 visas. After completing the random selection process for the regular cap, USCIS also determined it had received a number of petitions projected as sufficient to meet the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. Master’s cap.
In accordance with the new H-1B regulation, USCIS first conducted the selection process for H-1B cap-subject petitions submitted on behalf of all beneficiaries, including those who may have been eligible for the Master’s cap. USCIS then selected a number projected to reach the advanced degree exemption from the remaining eligible petitions. USCIS will reject and return all unselected petitions with their filing fees unless the petition is a prohibited multiple filing.
USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Petitions filed for concurrent H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, are exempt from the FY 2020 H-1B cap. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to:
- Extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the United States;
- Change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers;
- Allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and
- Allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position.
For additional updates, H-1B applicants may subscribe to the H-1B Cap Season email located on the H-1B FY 2020 Cap Season page.
For more on H-1B petitions, click here.
˘ Not admitted to the practice of law.