Summary
USCIS recently released data about how many cap H-1B lottery registrations were selected for case submission for FY (Fiscal Year) 2024 (the current Cap fiscal year) in relation to annual H-1B quota levels for each respective Year, and in relation to the total approval rates for submitted petitions. The data shows the following:
FY 2024 Cap registration period
- 780,884 Registrations submitted by employers (+38% over FY 2023).
- 110,791 Registrations initially selected by USCIS
- FY 2023 Cap registration period
- 483,927 Registrations submitted by employers
- 127,600 Registrations selected by USCIS in total
FY 2023 Cap registration period
- 483,927 Registrations submitted by employers
- 127,600 Registrations selected by USCIS in total
The 61% rise in the number of registrations submitted by employers this year (FY 2024) and relatively low selection rate so far, (14%) compared to last year reflects the following factors: an increase in the number of registrations submitted, the number of registrations submitted on behalf of beneficiaries with multiple registrations, and the number of registrations submitted on behalf of unique beneficiaries with only one registration.
USCIS has stated that the number of eligible registrations for beneficiaries with multiple registrations has raised serious concerns regarding companies attempts to increase their chances of selection. If USCIS finds that the attestations a company signs at the time of registration were not true for the registering party, USCIS may deny a petition or revoke a petition approval. Based on evidence from the FY 2023 and FY 2024 H-1B cap seasons, USCIS has already undertaken fraud investigations, denied and revoked petitions based on these investigations, and is in the process of initiating law enforcement referrals for criminal prosecution.
Meltzer Hellrung continues to monitor data and information released by the government about FY 2024’s H-1B cap lottery selection rates and procedures to relay valuable insights to our clients about their organization’s prospects for cap selection and approval success.
