The USCIS’s annual electronic H-1B lottery registration starts on March 1, 2023, and concludes at noon (EST) on March 17, 2023, with the H-1B lottery taking place on April 1, 2023. This is the only time this fiscal year that employers can seek H-1Bs for bachelor’s degree or U.S. master's degree workers who do not already have an H-1B, such as F-1 students already in the U.S. working on temporary post-graduate Optional Practical Training (OPT); those in a different employment visa; or outside the U.S. seeking a visa. The statutorily-limited H-1Bs are regularly oversubscribed, with less than a 50% chance of being selected in the annual lottery. If lucky even to be selected, the employer has 90 days to prepare and file the H-1B application for its current or prospective employee for an Oct. 1, 2023, or later start date. To participate in the lottery, the employer must first create an online “Registrant” account at https://my.uscis.gov/. Once the account is created, the employer or its attorney can file the H-1B lottery registrations for its employees.
Lewis M. Francis specializes in providing business and employment-based immigration solutions for a global marketplace. Mr. Francis is well-versed in obtaining the necessary immigration visas for specialized temporary employees, including those qualifying for H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1, and L-1A /L-1B. He also has considerable experience securing U.S. Permanent Residency (“green card”) for immigrant workers, including through PERM Labor Certification in the EB-2 and EB-3, as well direct applications for EB-1, Multinational Executive/Manager and National Interest Waivers.
