What Is the H-1B Lottery?

H-1B visas give foreign workers the opportunity to find employment in the United States. Seeking employment in the United States is a dream for many immigrants, and the H-1B visa allows people to do so. Individuals who apply for the H-1B visa need to have a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, H-1B visas are unique due to the H-1B lottery system.

What Is the H-1B Lottery Process?

On average, the U.S. issues 65,000 H-1B visas ever year. 20,000 of those applicants have a master’s degree from an accredited university in the United States. Due to the high volume of applicants, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started using a computer-generated selection process that randomly chooses applicants. The lottery is first used to select a master’s quota cap for 20,000 petitions.

Those who aren’t selected for the master’s quota will get placed in another lottery for the regular quota. This process ensures that applicants with master’s degrees are given an advantage because the USCIS wants to ensure that the most skilled and highest-paid individuals will receive an H-1B visa. After the applicants are selected, they send a case receipt notice or a rejected package, depending on whether the visa was granted or not.

Need Help Applying For an H-1B Visa?

Understanding the process of application and H-1B lottery can be overwhelming. Having an experienced Orange County H-1B visa immigration attorney on your side is vital to increase your chances of obtaining an H-1B visa. The legal team at Yekrangi & Associates treats every case as a priority and devotes the time necessary to resolve each case in a caring and comprehensive manner. We are ready to answer your questions and help you obtain your desired outcome.