Publication

13 November 2024

2025 Employment-Based H-1B Visa Planning

The Miller Johnson Immigration Practice Group is proud to help all of its clients with their immigration needs. 

H-1B Planning Season

The upcoming H-1B visa season for employment-based visas is soon approaching. Employers should ideally start preparing for the H-1B cap registration season several months in advance, especially if they are sponsoring employees for the first time. Below is a general timeline to help employers prepare for the March 2025 registration period:

December 2024:  Initial Planning

  • Identify roles and candidates: Review roles that may require H-1B sponsorship and identify candidates needing work visa sponsorship.
  • Assess eligibility: Confirm that each candidate meets the requirements for an H-1B visa, such as having a relevant degree and qualifying job offer.
  • Budget and resources: Allocate budget and resources for legal and filing fees, and ensure the HR or legal team has plans to handle the process.

January to February 2025:  Legal Preparations and Gathering Documentation

  • Engage legal counsel: Many companies work with immigration attorneys, who can help ensure forms are filled out accurately and eligibility is properly assessed.
  • Gather necessary documents: Collect essential documents, such as candidates’ educational credentials, passports, and relevant job descriptions.
  • LCA planning: Start preparing for the Labor Condition Application (LCA), which is a necessary step and requires certification from the Department of Labor.

March 2025:  H-1B Registration Period

  • The H-1B registration period usually opens in the first half of March and typically runs for two to three weeks.
  • Complete online registration: Employers or their legal representatives submit basic information about the company and each candidate through the USCIS online portal.
  • Lottery results: If USCIS receives more registrations than the annual cap allows, it will conduct a random lottery to select applicants.

April to June 2025:  Post-Registration

  • If candidates are selected in the lottery, employers or their legal representatives can then file the full H-1B petition starting in April.

By planning in advance, employers can ensure timely submission of their H-1B registrations and petitions under this program.

Changing Administrations

Clients seeking immigration benefits or extensions should consider review and preparation of their applications under the familiar and existing policy guidance of the current administration.  U.S. Immigration policies can shift with changing administrations impacting future application processes.

Interested clients may seek immigration consultations for their individual circumstances.  To do this, please consult the author or a member of the Immigration Practice Group.