H-1B Visa Registration Opens in March

Connecticut employers looking to sponsor H-1B visa applicants should prepare for filing season now.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that the visa registration process for fiscal 2024 opens at 12 pm March 1, 2023 and runs through March 17, 2023.

The limited visa program offers a maximum six years of work to foreigners with at least a bachelor’s degree.

Interested employers should confirm that employees meet the specialty occupation and wage requirements.

Selection Process

Eighty-five thousand applicants will be chosen: 65,000 in one lottery and an additional 20,000 in a lottery for advanced-degree holders.

The registration process is electronic again this year. The system requires employers to submit only minimal information for visa requests.

Prospective employers can create new registrant accounts beginning 12 pm February 21, 2023.

Prospective employers can create new accounts beginning 12 pm February 21.

Previous H-1B employers can use their existing myUSCIS account for registration.

After March 17, USCIS officials will run two lotteries. Officials will notify employers if they are selected in the lottery by March 31.

If selected in the lottery, registrants will have 90 days to file full petitions.

Policy Recommendations

Retaining immigrant talent can contribute to solving Connecticut’s labor shortage.

In CBIA’s 2022 Survey of Connecticut Businesses, 85% of employers reported difficult finding and/or retaining employees, and 39% said the lack of skilled applicants was the greatest obstacle to growth.

The annual cap on the number of H-1B visas makes it difficult for employers to hire legal immigrants.

The annual cap on the number of H-1B visas makes it difficult for employers to hire legal immigrants.

CBIA’s Transform Connecticut policy solutions asks policymakers to authorize a study to determine the feasibility of public universities using the H-1B cap exemption process to promote workforce development.

Lawmakers are discussing a bill that would green light the study. It has support from immigration attorneys, as well as the University of Connecticut.