H-1B Landscape Changes with Covid-19 Virus

USCIS recently announced that they have received enough H-1B online registrations toreach the 85,000 H-1B cap. According to USCIS, there were 275,000 H-1B registrations, a 37% increase from the previous year. The increase can be attributed to the implementation of the H-1B online registration system, which allowed employers to enter potential beneficiaries into the lottery without the effort of filing a petition first. Those who have been selected through the lottery can begin filing on April 1. They will have a 90-day window to do so. 

Of the 275,000 registered, 67.7% were from Indian and 13.2% were from China. Due to the increase of applicants in the lottery pool, the odds to be selected has lowered to approximately 31%. Generally, the online registration system was a success. However, a glitch that erroneously showed some H-1B petitions as denied due to duplicate petitions affected a small number of people.

Due to Covid-19, the U.S economy has suddenly slowed down with many businesses laying off employees and even closing down entirely. It is likely that some employers, who were planning to sponsor an employee for the H-1B visa, will decide not to file H-1B petitions due to financial reasons. This will free up more H-1B spaces that will be filled as nearly 200,000 H-1B registrants will be on the waitlist. A second round of the lottery will be conducted later this year, speculatively around September. If your H-1B registration is showing a submitted status, then you are still in the running to be selected. However, if your online registration is showing a denied or not selected status, then you are no longer in the lottery pool to be selected.

At Zhang & Associates, we have successfully represented thousands of non-immigrant and immigrant visas cases.  Our experienced immigration attorneys are here to guide professionals through the complicated H-1B application process, and minimize any and all confusion or challenges. As your legal counsel, we will register beneficiaries in this new system, complete the employer consent form, and fully prepare all H-1B petitions pre or post lottery selection. We understand how important an H-1B visa is to you, whether as the employer or the prospective employee. Our seasoned staff and years-long track record of success make Zhang & Associates the natural choice to facilitate your H-1B petitions. If you would like to contact us, please email us at info@hooyou.com.

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Former U.S. Consular officer, Attorney Sechyi Laiu joined Zhang & Associates, P.C. on June 26, 2017


At Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu specializes on Consular Processing cases and business development. Attorney Laiu also focuses on TN visas, E visas, CBP administrative proceedings (monetary confiscation, deferred inspection), and overseas financial compliance.

Prior to joining Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu worked for the U.S. Department of State as a Chinese and Portuguese speaking diplomat. As a consular-coned officer who served in Vancouver (Canada), Shenyang (P.R. China), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Attorney Laiu processed over 30,000 visa cases and worked in every section of Consular Affairs overseas (Fraud Prevention Unit, Immigrant Visas, Non-Immigrant Visas, and American Citizen Services).

He will use his experience and expertise to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients.


Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients worldwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled over ten thousand immigration cases.

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, EB-5, PERM, I-485 I-130, H-1B, O, L and J cases. In the past twenty-two years, we have successfully helped over ten thousand clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.

Zhang & Associates, P.C.

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Tel: 1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email: info@hooyou.com
website: http://www.hooyou.com

 

(04/14/2020)