Application limit for skilled foreign workers during fiscal year 2021

The USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services), which is the entity in charge of reviewing and responding to immigration applications in the country, announced on Thursday, February 17, that the H-1B visa application limit for fiscal year 2021 (October-September) has already been reached.

This is truly positive news for thousands of companies that benefit greatly from foreign workforce, which have felt the impact of the global Coronavirus pandemic and labor shortages.

It is important to clarify that the H-1B visa program allows local companies to hire highly qualified foreign workers in sectors such as science, technology, engineering and research.

The annual limit for foreign workers holding H-1B visas is 65,000. However, the number of applications usually exceeds the limit, so the USCIS must employ a selection system to approve applications and allow eligible applicants to enter the US with a legal work permit.

Do you need help with a Business Immigration case? Our team can help you, whether you need help for your American or US-based company or if you are a foreign worker.

What is the current selection system for H-1B visas?

Following the intervention of the Biden government, the USCIS will use the H-1B Visa Lottery during fiscal year 2021 to randomly approve applications as long as they meet mandatory requirements.

It is no secret that the previous administration, led by former President Donald Trump, had the ideal of reducing immigration at all costs, including business immigration, which benefits local companies and boosts the economy in times of crisis.

The Trump administration stated that foreign workers often take job opportunities away from American workers because, in its view, they usually accept lower wages despite holding the same jobs.

As a result, former President Trump and his cabinet implemented multiple policies that significantly restricted business immigration and alternatives available to highly qualified foreign workers.

In fact, just a week before former President Trump left office, his administration published a Final Rule removing the H-1B Visa Lottery and replacing it with a wage-based selection system, which would approve applications from the highest to the lowest wages.

However, the current administration of the US (Biden-Harris), recently stepped in and paused the Trump administration’s rules on business immigration for further review before they go into effect, and will possibly change multiple parameters to benefit local companies and highly skilled foreign workers.

Visit our Blog section to keep up to date with the latest immigration news!

Do you need help with an immigration case of any kind?

Now that the US has a new administration, which differs from the previous administration when it comes to immigration, local policies and processes might change again and it is essential to have the constant accompaniment of experts when starting your immigration process.

We understand that starting an immigration process requires constant dedication and expert help. Our team is highly qualified to guide you through your immigration journey in the US, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.