Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") announced it has conducted a computer-generated random selection process (i.e. lottery) to determine which H-1B visas would be processed for Fiscal Year 2016 (for H-1B employment starting October 1, 2015).  

On Tuesday, USCIS stated it had received enough H-1B visa applications to reach the 65,000 statutory cap and additional 20,000 visa exemption for holders of U.S. earned advanced degrees.  USCIS has now confirmed it received approximately 172,500 visa applications. 

USCIS conducted the lottery for the 20,000 advanced degree holders first, and those not selected then became part of the random selection process for the 65,000.  

Premium processing of H-1B cases will begin no later than April 28. USCIS has not indicated when it will begin reviewing non-premium processing cases.  Those cases that have not been selected for processing will be returned with the checks for filing fees over the next several weeks. 

Feel free to contact our office at 786-406-1744 or info@ratzanlaw.com if you have any questions about the H-1B visa, or about immigration laws in general.