Washington: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended the initial registration period for H1B Visas for the fiscal year 2025 by three days. This came after a technical glitch prevented users from completing their H1B application process.
The USCIS in a statement earlier had said that some users are not able to complete the H1B Visa registration process and apologise for any inconvenience caused and are working on the issue to resolve it. Ended it by saying that they would increase the registration deadline and to stay tuned for further details. Some reports said that signatures went missing on form G28 for H1B Visa registrations.
Form G28 allows applicants to designate an attorney or accredited representative to take care of their immigration-related applications and appeals. The registration period for the H1B process was set to close on March 22 but now will remain open until noon Eastern on 25th March.
- Prospective petitioners and their representatives use an online account with USCIS to electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process and pay the registration cost during this extended period. By March 31, the USCIS still plans to inform certain registrations. On February 28, it launched new organizational accounts for myUSCIS.
- These accounts allow multiple individuals with an organization, along with their legal representatives, to collaborate on and prepare H1B visa registrations, petitions, and associated form I-907 for premium processing service. The agency will commence accepting online filing of the forms for H1B cap petitions on April 1.
- In 2022, Indians secured 77 per cent of the 320,000 approved H1B Visas. This year, the USCIS anticipates around 350,000 applicants which is a decrease attributed to new measures against fraud. Last year over 400,000 out of the 759,000 registrations were duplicated. The USCIS filing fee for H1B visa beneficiaries on H1B petitions will rise by 70%, while those on L1 petitions will see a 201% increase, and individuals on 0-1 petitions will face a 129 per cent increase.
