Registration for the H-1B visa in the United States is about to begin. Immigration attorney Emily Newman says that there may be fewer H-1B registrations this year.
She believes the main reason is the new $100,000 visa fee introduced for hiring foreign workers from outside the US.
This fee was announced in September last year by US President Donald Trump. Since then, companies feel it has become more expensive to hire foreign employees.
Newman also linked the expected drop in registrations to both the new visa fee and the current US job market conditions.
H-1B registration will open on March 4 and close on March 19. During this period, US companies can register workers they want to hire if selected.
A registration fee of $215 must also be paid. The lottery results will be announced on March 31, which is an important date for people who want to work in the US.
Why the H-1B Lottery May Happen Twice
The new $100,000 H-1B visa fee will apply only to workers coming from outside the US. Companies will need to pay this amount only if they bring a foreign worker into the country.
According to Newman, some companies may still register candidates even though they know they might have to pay the $100,000 fee.
They will first check whether their candidates are selected in the lottery. Some companies are also hoping that the new fee might be stopped by the courts. Currently, two legal cases are pending against this fee.
Newman explained that if the fee remains in place, companies may not file final visa petitions even after their candidates are selected.
This could leave many visa slots unfilled. Because of this, a second lottery may be needed to fill the remaining positions.
Will a Second Lottery Help Applicants?
If a second lottery takes place, it could benefit candidates who are not selected in March. In that sense, it would be like an extra opportunity.
The new visa fee and stricter rules are also expected to reduce the number of registrations. Companies will likely avoid registering candidates who are unlikely to get visas.
This means fewer competitors in the lottery and better chances for serious applicants.
This year, selection may not be purely random. Candidates could be prioritized based on salary levels. Workers with Level 3 or Level 4 salaries are expected to have the highest chances of selection, especially if a second lottery is held.
