Many professional’s dream is to work in the U.S and the H-1B visa is the key way for skilled workers to get jobs there. This visa allows professionals in IT, engineering, finance and other fields to work in the U.S for up to six years. But the U.S government is introducing major changes to the H-1B visa system in 2025. These changes will affect both employees and companies.

Deletion of Old Applications

All H-1B visa applications which are older than five years will be deleted from its system by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from March 20,2025 . For example, an application which was submitted on March 22, 2020 will be removed on March 22, 2025.

What This Means for Companies & Employees

– Companies must download any old application records before March 19, 2025, or they will be lost forever.

– Employees who need old records for visa renewals or appeals may face problems if they do not have a backup.

– On the positive side, removing old applications will make the system more efficient and reduce unnecessary data.

Fairer H-1B Lottery System

The old H-1B lottery system allowed large companies to submit multiple applications for the same worker increasing their chances of selection. This gave big companies an unfair advantage over small businesses and individual applicants.

What’s Changing?

– This new system focuses on individuals instead of applications.

– Each worker will be entered into the lottery only once no matter how many companies apply for them.

– This ensures a fairer selection process giving everyone an equal opportunity.

Increase in H-1B Registration Fees

Another major change is the increase in H-1B visa registration fees.

– The previous fee of $10 per entry will now be $215 per entry.

– Companies will think carefully before applying for a candidate which may reduce unnecessary applications.

Mandatory Online Registration

From 2025, companies must register candidates online before filing a full H-1B petition.

– This step speeds up the process by eliminating ineligible candidates early.

– USCIS expects faster application processing and reduced delays.

Impact on Workers

The good news for H-1B applicants is that these changes will bring more transparency and efficiency to the visa process. But there are also many challenges:

– Faster processing will allow jobs to be filled more quickly.

– Higher fees may discourage companies from sponsoring as many applicants.

– Due to these changes some workers may lose sponsorship opportunities.

The H-1B visa process is changing significantly in 2025. While some of these updates will improve fairness and efficiency.They may also create new challenges for companies and applicants. It’s important for both employers and visa seekers to stay informed and prepared accordingly. If you are applying for an H-1B visa make sure to check deadlines.Keep records and follow the new guidelines for a smooth application process.

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