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Last Updated On: September 29, 2023 | Published On: March 14, 2016
Are you hoping to be selected in the H-1B 2017 lottery? Did you apply in the lottery last year but were not one of the 65,000 randomly selected petitions? In this article, we’ll explore H-1B 2017 lottery filing tips and best practices so that you can ensure the best chances for an approval.
If you’ve read anything about the H-1B 2017 lottery you know that USCIS begins accepting applications for the H-1B Visa 2017 on April 1st, 2016. Be aware that USCIS made clear in the rejection notices for last year’s H-1B season that any non-selected applicants could file petitions for the Fiscal Year 2017 on or after April 1, 2016. With all this said,
With all this said, timing is absolutely key during H-1B 2017. Begin the planning and prepping process as soon as possible. The first step to get you started is to contact a qualified H-1B Visa Lawyer who can identify your eligibility.
To best ensure you odds of approval, it’s important to understand the H-1B cap and the allotted number for each category. The random selection process begins with the computer choosing 20,000 advanced degree petitions from the pool of candidates with United States Masters degrees (or accepted equivalents).
From there, those candidates who are not selected will be transferred into the main pool for the regular cap. After they’ve been transferred the second random selection process begins. A total of 65,000 will be chosen from the regular cap plus another 6,800 for citizens of Chile and Singapore, in accordance with the Free Trade Agreement.
Cap exempt petitions are those which were previously counted against the cap, are used or intended to extend an H-1B employee’s time in the country, or intended to change the terms for current H-1B employees (responsibilities, location, duties, etc.). In addition, certain positions with qualified employers are not subject to the H-1B annual quota even if the candidate has not been counted against the cap previously.
Normal H-1B visa processing takes at least three months to determine whether your petition has been approved or denied. However, with premium processing, you can receive a response in about two weeks—much faster than the traditional route. You will be required to pay an additional fee for this service but in many cases, it’s worth it.
Looking for more H-1B 2017 Lottery Filing Tips and best practices? Check out this post about the Master’s Quota!
Some of the best H-1B 2017 lottery filing tips are those about common mistakes to avoid. Some of these include:
If after meeting with an H-1B lawyer, you realize that either you do not qualify or it’s not the most advantageous visa for your situation, consider H-1B visa alternatives. Some examples include the TN, L-1 and O-1 Visa. The TN Visa, created by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), requires applicants to be qualified under one of the approved professions and be a citizen of Canada or Mexico.
An L-1 Visa, another H-1B alternative, allows multinational companies to transfer certain employees from a qualified foreign office to the United States in order to continue employment. Last, the O-1 Visa is designed to help foreign professionals in fields including the arts, sciences, sports, education, business, and television industries enter the U.S to work for up to three years.
Wondering who is responsible for each of the H-1B visa fees? Take a look below for a general overview. Note that these may vary in some cases, so always consult your attorney before filing payment.
Standard (Base) Filing Fee: Employer is responsible
ACWIA (Training Fee): Employer is responsible
Fraud Prevention/Detection Fee: Employer is responsible
Public Law 114-113 Fee: Employer is responsible
Premium Processing Fee: Either you or the employer. If paid by the petitioner, the employer has to prove that it was expedited strictly for personal reason and not for the benefit of the petitioning employer
Visa Fee: This fee which involves attaining your H-1B visa at the U.S. consulate is the petitioner’s expense.
These more you need to know apart from this H-1B 2017 Lottery Filing Tips post! To see if you qualify for a Free H-1B Visa Consultation, fill out the form and include any necessary details of your case.
VisaNation Law Group’s H-1B 2017 lottery process is one of the most efficient immigration processes available to you. They’ll conduct a full review of your individual circumstances, plus an analysis to determine if the H-1B visa is the most suitable immigration option for you. With VisaNation Law Group’s H-1B Visa attorneys you can expect accurate documentation of your visa application, a very reasonable fee, and access to our team of qualified professionals should you have any questions during the process.
