Recent data from the USCIS shows a decline in H-1B sponsorships among leading employers in 2024. Amazon remained the top sponsor but saw approvals fall to just over 7,000, down from more than 11,000 in 2023. Indian IT companies Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) also reported fewer approvals, with Infosys dropping from over 7,300 to about 5,900 and TCS seeing 1,600 fewer approvals.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the ceiling for H-1B visa applications for fiscal year 2025, which includes 65,000 visas for normal applicants and an extra 20,000 designated for US advanced degree holders, also known as the master’s cap.
USCIS will notify applicants of their selection status via their online accounts. “Those who are not selected will see the status “Not Selected: Not eligible to submit an H-1B cap petition based on this registration” after all notifications are sent,” USCIS stated on Monday.
The deadline to submit H-1B applications based on valid registration notices was June 30, 2024. Because the date happened on a Sunday, USCIS verified that paper petitions submitted by July 1, 2024 would still be deemed timely.
The initial registration period for FY 2025 opened on March 6, 2024 and was extended until March 25, 2024.
The H-1B visa programme
The H-1B visa program allows US employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialized occupations that require theoretical and practical expertise. Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in streams like engineering, medicine, social sciences, and more.
Get the latest news updates and stay informed with FELA NEWS!
Source: Business Standard
