The outcome of the 2024 H-1B Lottery is anticipated to be revealed prior to April 1st. This year signifies the inaugural enforcement of the single-registration-per-individual regulation within the H1B lottery reforms. Furthermore, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a fresh H1B lottery registration mechanism featuring organizational accounts, facilitating employers to register and participate in the lottery on behalf of their employees.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into five commonly asked inquiries regarding this year’s H1B lottery.

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Does being sponsored by multiple companies potentially enhance my odds in the H1B lottery?

No, according to this year’s regulation of one-registration-per-person, each individual is limited to one registration for the H1B lottery using their passport number. Therefore, having multiple companies submit registrations on your behalf will not enhance your chances.

However, if you have two job offers and both companies are willing to register you for the lottery, ensure that both employers complete your registration before the March 22nd deadline. In the event of being selected, both employers will be notified, allowing you to select the preferred company for your H1B petition filing. While multiple registrations do not increase your odds, they can potentially save time and money on a future H1B transfer.

What happens if my passport is nearing its expiration date?

According to the one-registration-per-person policy, USCIS administers the lottery using valid passport numbers. If your passport is close to expiration, it’s acceptable. Just ensure it remains valid during the lottery period from March 6th to March 22nd. If your passport is renewed after your employer submits the H1B registration but before filing the actual petition, your employer should enclose copies of both passports in the petition and elucidate the renewal in the supplementary section of Form I-129.

What should I do if I’m unable to renew my passport?

In exceptional situations where passport renewal is impossible due to specific circumstances in your country, such as those encountered by Venezuelan nationals, employers should input the expiration date of your most recently issued passport.

Nevertheless, if your passport validity has been formally extended beyond its original expiration date by decree, the extended expiration date must be provided as required. Furthermore, proof of the mandated passport renewal by decree for your passport must be uploaded in the evidence section of the registration form.

How can I verify that my employer indeed completed 2024 H-1B Lottery registration?

Initially, it’s reasonable to request a screenshot of the application submission confirmation from your employer or attorney. Some are willing to furnish this evidence, which includes a 16-digit Beneficiary Confirmation Number commencing with the fiscal year (e.g., 2025-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx for FY2025). This number validates that your registration was successfully submitted.

Moreover, inquire your employer for a copy of the system-generated submission confirmation form provided by USCIS post-registration. This official document contains your name, personal particulars, employer details, and the Beneficiary Confirmation Number. Not only does it serve as proof of your registration, but you’ll also require the number later to verify if you were chosen in the lottery.

For reference, here’s an example of what the submission confirmation form looks like:

Is it necessary for a company to enlist an attorney to register you in the H1B lottery?

Many companies mention the expense of hiring an attorney as a rationale for not providing H1B registration during an employee’s first year on OPT. Nonetheless, companies are not required to engage an attorney to submit the lottery registration. The procedure can be accomplished online in approximately 10 minutes. For assistance, refer to this comprehensive video tutorial: https://youtube.com/watch?v=lkRs9-YmdD0.