H-1B Season is Upon Us

Contributed by Melanie Corrin, Partner

For businesses, there is nothing more important than having a strong, dedicated workforce.  For many employers with professional positions to offer, this means racing to the Citizenship & Immigration Service to file for a potential employee’s H-1B visa in hopes their case is chosen in a lottery.  For the last two years, CIS has reached the 65,000 cap on professional workers in the first week.  Forcing a lottery and leaving many employers without the ability to hire the employees they want.

The 2016 fiscal year begins October 1, 2015.  Employers are eligible to file H-1B petitions no more than 6 months before the visa is available.  Thus, April 1, 2015 is the earliest date on which USCIS can accept petitions for H-1B visas.  This year we all expect to reach the 65,000 cap again on the first possible day.  Quite a bit goes into filing an H-1B petition, including securing the proper Labor Condition certification, ensuring the position is a professional one, and that the individual you are seeking to employ has the requisite bachelor’s degree to fit that position.  If you are interested in filing a new H-1B petition this year, please contact Joseph & Hall P.C. and we can assist you through the process.  Time is of the essence!