USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018
April 18, 2017
On April 11, 2017 USCIS completed the computer-generated random selection process for fiscal year (FY) 2018 of petitions needed to meet the cap of 65,000 visas for the general category and 20,000 visas for the U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap. USCIS conducted the selection process for the advanced degree exemption first and then all unselected petitions from the advanced degree petitions then became part of the random selection process for the 65,000 cap. All unselected petitions with their filing fees will be returned, unless the petition is found to be a duplicate filing.
USCIS has also announced that the number of H-1B cap-subject petitions they received for the fiscal year 2018 (FY) was 199,000, lower than the all-time record of over 236,000 cap-subject petitions they received last year for fiscal year 2017.
Premium processing for all H-1B petitions, including cap-exempt petitions, is still temporarily suspended for up to six months. However, USCIS continues to accept and process cap-exempt petitions including extensions, transfers or amended petitions filed on behalf of H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap.
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