USCIS announced the H-1B annual cap registration schedule for FY 2025. The registration period will run from noon March 6 to noon March 22 (EST). After the registration window is closed, USCIS will move on to the lottery phase. Employers may start registering their accounts on February 28. New organizational accounts with additional features will be implemented this year. The results of the H-1B visa lottery will be released soon after. This year, the results will likely be released over the March 29-31 weekend. The following is an approximate application timeline. Interested employers and applicants should start the preparation immediately.
Application Timeline FY 2025
Timeline* |
What to Do or Expect |
January – Early March
|
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February 28 - March 6 | - H-1B employers/attorneys to create USCIS accounts.
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March 6 - March 22 | - Attorneys/Employers to enter H-1B registrations online
- Employers to verify / approve registrations
- Attorneys/Employers to submit H-1B registrations
|
Mid-March – End of March | - USCIS to conduct 1st electronic random selection ("lottery")
- Results of 1st draw will be released between 3/29 to 3/31
|
April to June | - Attorneys/employers to submit complete H-1B petition with LCA to USCIS (for first batch of the selected applications)
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April and onward |
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Mid-August | - USCIS may conduct a 2nd H-1B lottery to use up any leftover visa numbers
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Mid-August – Mid-November | - Submit complete H-1B petition with LCA for candidates selected in the 2nd lottery to USCIS
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September/October and onwards | - USCIS continues to adjudicate throughout this time
- Change of Status Employees may start working in H-1B status upon approval starting October 1
- Consular Processing Employees to apply H-1B visa stamp for entry to commence H-1B employment
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* Part of the timeline is estimated based on previous year's schedule.
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