The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the opening of the H-1B lottery registration for the 2025 fiscal year. Starting from March 7, 2025, employers will be able to register their foreign workers for the highly competitive H-1B lottery, which will close on March 24, 2025. This marks a crucial period for employers looking to bring in skilled talent from abroad, especially as USCIS introduces a series of new regulatory changes that could impact both applicants and employers.
For the first time, USCIS has raised the registration fee from $10 to $215 per application, as part of a broader strategy to ensure compliance and transparency. Along with this fee increase, the lottery will feature heightened scrutiny of employers’ compliance with regulations, including the verification of the employee’s degree and job duties. These changes are a direct result of the H-1B Modernization Rule, which aims to better align the program with the needs of US employers while ensuring the protection of foreign workers.
Key changes and new rules for the 2025 lottery
The 2025 H-1B lottery comes with several key changes that all applicants and employers must be aware of. One of the major updates is the stricter employer compliance checks. As reported by Akin, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require employers to provide more detailed documentation, such as contracts and work orders, to prove that a “bona fide” work offer exists for the H-1B applicant. This move is designed to curb fraudulent registrations and ensure that the positions being filled are legitimate.
Another significant development is the extension of cap-gap protections for F-1 students. Previously, cap-gap protection, which allows international students on F-1 visas to continue working after their OPT ends until their H-1B status kicks in, lasted only until October 1. Now, under the new rules, it will extend through April 1, 2026, for those selected in the March 2025 lottery. “This extension ensures that F-1 OPT students will not face any disruption in their employment while waiting for their H-1B petitions to be processed,” said Akin’s immigration law experts.
Employer responsibility and enhanced site visits
As part of the modernization efforts, USCIS is increasing its scrutiny of third-party placements for H-1B employees. Employers placing workers at third-party sites must now prove that the work being performed is in a specialty occupation. This is a significant shift, as previously, the focus was solely on the employer petitioning for the visa. The new rules will allow USCIS to scrutinize the third-party organizations as well, ensuring that all participants are in compliance with the program’s requirements.
Additionally, USCIS will be conducting more site visits to verify the legitimacy of the H-1B positions. “Employers should prepare for possible site inspections, as USCIS now has expanded authority to verify worksite compliance,” as quoted by Akin’s immigration law experts.
What employers and employees need to do
With the registration period beginning on March 7, employers should start gathering their candidates’ documents now. Employees must ensure their personal information, including diplomas, transcripts, and passports, are up-to-date. As quoted by Akin, “While employers and their legal teams handle the registration, the process will depend heavily on the cooperation and documentation provided by the employee.”
The deadline for registration is March 24, 2025, and no additional registrations will be allowed until the next lottery in 2026. Both employers and beneficiaries are encouraged to act promptly to avoid missing this important opportunity.