The H-1B caprequires that all H-1B petitions are received at the USCIS’ California ServiceCenter or Vermont Service Center by Tuesday April 7, 2015. Below are some key points to keep in mindabout this year’s H-1B cap:
-The USCIS makes noaccommodation for delays caused by couriers. Accordingly, MU Law will file the vast majority of its H-1B petitions onMarch 31 for delivery by April 1, which is the first day that H-1B petitionsare accepted.
-Premium ProcessingService (PPS) maynot start until May 11, 2015, although the USCIS could start PPS earlier,depending on the volume of petitions that are received. Last year PPSbegan on April 28.
-The USCIS expectsthat more H-1B petitions will be received this year than last year. At the recent AILAManila chapter conference, a USCIS official said that he expected more than200,000 H-1B cap-subject filings. Therewere 172,500cap-subject H-1Bs in 2014 (FY 2015).
-Last year it wasmid-May before most H-1B lottery winners and losers found out about the outcomeof their lottery selection. Since thevolume is expected to be greater in 2015, it may not be until June untillottery winners and losers know their outcome.