Changes to H1B Lottery for 2019 possible, but “may be a bit ambitious”
Update: As we get closer to the start of the new H-1B Cap season, EIG has learned more about planned changes to the H-1B Lottery. According to Laura Francis of BloombergLaw, who recently sat down with EIG attorney Hiba Anverto discuss recent immigration developments, a revised lottery system could include mechanisms for:
- pre-registration, with potential employers only required to file full petitions for cases selected in the lottery, and
- preferences for specific characteristics, such as individuals with US advanced degrees and those with the highest salaries.
As Laura told Hiba, USCIS Director L. Francis Cissna hopes to get a lottery pre-registration regulation in place for the next H-1B lottery, but having a new system through the rulemaking process and operational in time for April 2019 “may be a bit ambitious” as “they haven’t even released the proposed rule yet.”
To hear Hiba’s full interview with Laura Francis, check out the latest episode of EIG’s podcast, Immigration Nerds. Their discussion about Laura’s interview with Director Cissna starts at 13:44.