If you submitted an H-1B petition and have not received a response, you are not alone. USCIS has announced they are experiencing backlogs and staffing shortages. In an effort to move the adjudication process along, they will be transferring certain petitions from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center.
In addition to processing cap-subject petitions, adjudicators are also processing petitions for H-1B extensions, which are essential for current H-1B workers to be able to continue to work in the United States.
Alongside processing delays, this month the issue of needing more annual H-1B visas was brought before the Senate Judiciary Committee by US Congresswoman Mia Love. She stated, “in 2005, 85,000 visas were available. Today, nearly 20 years later, 85,000 visas are available. There are many promising options for expanding skilled immigration.”
The need for expanding the H-1B program is nothing new, but hopefully there will be some movement on the issue. This year, USCIS received 483,927 H-1B registrations. Of those registrations, 127,600 were initially selected to file complete petitions to fulfill the 85,000 H-1B visas. United States technology industry has become dependent on the H-1B visa program due to the shortage of US workers with advanced technology skills to accommodate this rapidly growing field. Companies attempted to hire nearly one-half million foreign workers for FY2023. The need for H-1B program expansion is clear; what is unclear is how much longer it will take to actually expand the program.
If your H-1B registration was selected in the lottery and you have not submitted a completed petition yet, do not delay! Registrations are due June 30, 2022. However, don’t let the pressure of the deadline cause you to submit a petition lacking in vital supporting evidence, such as a credential evaluation or expert opinion letter. At CCI TheDegreePeople.com, we offer affordable rush delivery options around the clock to meet your needs.
For a free review of your case visit www.ccifree.com. We will respond in 4 hours or less.
Sheila Danzig
Sheila Danzig is the director of CCI TheDegreePeople.com. Sheila specializes in overturning RFEs and Denials for work visas.