On February 20, 2020, the CIS Ombudsman presented a webinar providing detailed instructions for Registrants (H-1B employers) and Attorneys seeking to participate in this year’s 2020 H-1B cap.

Prospective petitioners and their attorney representatives may create accounts for Pre-Registration beginning Feb. 24.  Actual data entry of H-1B applicants (beneficiaries) will not be permitted until March 1.

Registrant accounts will be hooked up with separate attorney accounts through a passcode “handshake” process.  Attorneys will be able to submit registrations and pay required fees on behalf of registrant clients.

H-1B Registration Process Timeline

Feb. 24: Employers may begin creating H-1B Registrant accounts (account creation will remain open throughout the entire registration period). Attorneys may create an account at any time.

March 1: H-1B registration period opens at noon ET.

March 20: H-1B registration period closes at noon ET.

March 31: Date by which USCIS intends to notify selected registrants.

April 1: The earliest date that 2020 H-1B cap-subject petitions may be filed.

Important Tips:

  • Employers should not attempt to create a Registrant account before Feb. 24. H-1B Registrant accounts are special accounts designated only for H-1B registration.  H-1B Registrant accounts will not be available for creation until Feb. 24.
  • Use an e-mail address dedicated exclusively for this process to create your account (example: h1bregistration@company.com). This avoids problems of accessing accounts tied to e-mails of employees who may leave the company.
  • Keep track of passwords and security questions. Unlocking a locked myUSCIS account is difficult and time consuming!
  • Keep your attorney informed as you move through the process. USCIS will not be sending any auto e-mails to notify Registrants or Attorneys that accounts have been created or forms accepted.

H-1B cap-subject beneficiaries must have a “Selected” registration notification in order to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the 2020 H-1B cap season.

Contact E&M Mayock to sign up for H-1B Pre-Registration using our simple intake portal.