USCIS` Crack Down Making H1-Bs Nervous!

The USCIS, responsible for issuing H1-B visas to Indian professionals, has finally taken action to address the issue of duplicate applications from related companies. In its recent release of H1-B visa registration figures for the fiscal year 2024, the USCIS has highlighted the problem of multiple registrations by eligible beneficiaries.

This has raised serious concerns in the US about applicants taking unfair advantage of the H1-B lottery system. To deter abuse, the USCIS now requires each petitioner to sign an attestation during registration, confirming the legitimacy of the provided information. Any application found to be illegitimate will be denied or revoked.

Considering the vast number of applications (781,000) against a limited number of slots (85,000), identifying multiple registrations is a challenging task. However, the USCIS remains committed to thoroughly screening the initial database to ensure fairness.

There is an ongoing discussion about reducing the H1-B visa cap in 2025, which could have implications for young Indian professionals. Additionally, the fee has been increased from $10 to $250 to discourage companies from submitting multiple petitions for the same candidate.

The companies and candidates who were indulged in this H1-B visa abuse are now in a panic. They thought no strict action would be taken against them as many indulged in such fraudulent practices. No one saw this coming, and now USCIS taking action against them can cause serious legal concerns for them.