Final Rule to Enhance Integrity Measures for H1B Visa Program
Best h1b visa program consultants
In a significant move, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a final rule aimed at fortifying the integrity of the H-1B registration process. The comprehensive rule addresses concerns related to potential fraud, introduces a beneficiary-centric selection process, and incorporates measures to streamline application processes.
USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou emphasized the agency’s commitment to integrity and efficiency: “We continuously seek methods to enhance integrity, mitigate fraud, and refine our application processes. The final rule incorporates multiple provisions, each crafted to instigate positive transformations within the H-1B program.
The beneficiary-centric selection process is a notable feature of the final rule, where registrations will be selected based on unique beneficiaries rather than registration volumes. This innovative approach aims to minimize the potential for fraud, ensuring fairness in the selection process for each beneficiary, regardless of the number of registrations submitted by an employer.
Commencing from the initial registration period for Fiscal Year 2025, USCIS will require registrants to furnish valid passport or travel document details for every beneficiary. This information must align with the document the beneficiary intends to use when entering the United States with an H-1B visa. Each beneficiary should be registered under only one passport or travel document.
The final rule also introduces flexibility regarding requested employment start dates for certain petitions subject to the H-1B cap, allowing filing with start dates after Oct. 1 of the relevant fiscal year. Additionally, USCIS is now empowered to deny or revoke H-1B petitions if the underlying registration contained false information or was otherwise invalid.
With the introduction of the Fee Schedule final rule, USCIS affirms that the registration fee for the FY 2025 H-1B cap, during the registration period starting in March 2024, will remain at $10. A new edition of Form I-129 reflecting changes from the final rule will be available on April 1, 2024.
The rule, building on proposals from the Oct. 23, 2023, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, emphasizes USCIS’s commitment to enhancing the H-1B program’s integrity and fairness. The agency also announced the opening of the initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap from March 6 to March 22, 2024.
Moreover, on February 28, 2024, USCIS launches new organizational accounts, facilitating collaborative efforts for H-1B registrations, petitions, and related forms. Online filing for Form I-129 and Form I-907 for non-cap H-1B petitions will commence on the same date, with H-1B cap petitions accepted online from April 1, 2024.
While petitioners retain the option to file paper forms, the online filing system aims to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. The USCIS encourages stakeholders to stay informed about the latest changes and deadlines during this dynamic period of transition.
FAQ`s:
The primary objective of the USCIS Final Rule is to strengthen integrity measures within the H-1B program, aiming to improve the program’s overall efficiency, fairness, and prevent fraud and abuse.
The Final Rule introduces changes to the H-1B lottery selection process, prioritizing petitions based on the potential beneficiary’s wage level. This modification is designed to prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants.
The Final Rule includes measures such as strengthening USCIS’s ability to enforce compliance, enhancing documentation requirements, and implementing measures to identify and prevent fraud and abuse within the H-1B program.
Employers and H-1B visa applicants may experience changes in the adjudication process and requirements. Employers will need to adhere to stricter compliance measures, and applicants may find modifications in the selection criteria and documentation requirements.
The effective date of the Final Rule will be specified in the official publication. Stakeholders, including employers and applicants, can access detailed information about the changes through the USCIS website, official publications, and communication channels. It is recommended to stay updated on USCIS announcements for the latest information.
Agacs Pvt Ltd is the leading immigration and visa consultancy in Hyderabad, India, offering expert assistance for US H1B Visa, US EB5 Visa, Canada PR and Canada Work permit Visa application processes. Our professional advisors provide trusted guidance to ensure a smooth and successful visa application experience.
For more details on h1b sponsorship contact us at
info@agacs.in & call on +91 9505000900. Website: www.agacs.in