Starting April 1, 2024, H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions must no longer be filed at the USCIS service centers. All paper-based H-1B and H-1B1 (HSC) Form I-129 petitions must be filed at USCIS lockbox locations. This includes cap, non-cap, and cap-exempt H-1B filings.
USCIS will reject H-1B or H-1B1 (HSC) petitions received at a USCIS service center on or after April 1, 2024. There will be no grace period provided.
USCIS has specific mailing addresses for cases that are subject to the H-1B cap. To determine the correct mailing address, please see USCIS’s Form I-129 Direct Filing Addresses page.
What to Expect
- If a petition is filed at the wrong location, USCIS may reject the petition.
- Rejected petitions will not retain a filing date.
- If USCIS rejects a petition because it was filed at the wrong location, it may be refiled at the correct location, or online.
- H-1B cap subject petitions may be refiled at the correct location, or online, as long as the petition is refiled during the designated 90-day filing window listed on the selection notice.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.