Client Alert: H-1B Visas and the H-1B Lottery

The H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to employ skilled foreign workers in a variety of areas like tech, engineering, health care, finance, law, and more. It’s a popular visa but involves a competitive annual lottery system with strict rules. The annual lottery registration will be open only from March 7 to March 24, so employers must plan ahead and act quickly.

Potential Needs

• Hiring and retention of college graduates or experienced professionals in a wide range of fields

• Employing specialized talent that is scarce in the U.S. domestic labor market such as IT, engineering, healthcare, or finance

• Filling skill gaps with global talent for growing companies such as startups or mid-size businesses

• Securing, extending, or changing immigration status and work authorization for skilled workers already in the U.S.

• Enabling long-term work authorization for qualifying employees seeking U.S. permanent residence

• Ensuring employment authorization compliance with relevant federal and state laws for companies sponsoring foreign employees

How We Can Help

• Preparing H-1B lottery registrations to secure a chance for an H-1B visa

• Preparing H-1B petitions to maximize likelihood of approval

• Ensuring compliance with federal regulations

• Helping with visa extensions or transfers

• Providing support during audits or disputes

• Strategizing contingency plans for those who are not selected in the H-1B lottery

Why It Matters

• Employers must act quickly to register their employees or candidates in the H-1B lottery. The annual lottery registration will be open only until March 24.
• Mistakes in the process can lead to delays, penalties, or missed opportunities. We make sure everything is handled correctly and on time.

If you have any questions or are considering hiring skilled foreign workers, please contact Irem Dogan, Esq. at idogan@norris-law.com and 917-369-8859. To see our full list of services, please visit the Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Immigration page.