USCIS will implement an electronic H1B registration requirement for cap-subject H1B petitions in FY2021. Employers who wish to file cap-subject H1B petitions must register through the new electronic system by March 1, 2020. The initial FY2021 H1B registration period will close March 20, 2020. USCIS will notify those selected in the registration by March 31, 2020.

The fee for each electronic registration is $10. The electronic registration process requires basic information about both the employer and each prospective H1B worker. Employers and their representatives may begin setting up registration accounts prior to the beginning of the registration period.

If USCIS receives more registrations than the cap allows, they will use a random lottery or selection process to determine which prospective H1B employees may move forward with a full H1B petition.

Employers may file for more than one prospective H1B employee in each registration. However, USCIS prohibits duplicate registrations for any single employee. If an employer files more than one registration for any particular prospective employee, USCIS will suspend the employer’s registration for that employee during that fiscal year. Employers may file a petition for only the employee named in the selected registration.

New H1B Selection Process

USCIS also changed its H1B selection process overall. As of FY2020, they now first select registrations submitted on behalf of all H1B beneficiaries, including those beneficiaries who are eligible for the advanced degree exemption. USCIS then selects from the remaining registrations a sufficient projected number to reach the advanced degree exemption. By doing so, they aim to increase the number of H1B petitions selected under the regular cap for beneficiaries who have at least a master’s degree from a US institution of higher education.

Further Information and Updates

As the initial registration period approaches, USCIS will post instructions and key dates concerning the new process. The agency will also conduct outreach activities to familiarize interested parties with the new system. Finally, USCIS may determine that it is necessary to continue accepting registrations. Or, they may open an additional registration period if they do not receive enough registrations and subsequent petitions to reach the annual H1B cap.

See USCIS H1B Registration Notice, and H1B Registration Final Rule.