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United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun to accept applications for the H-1B visa lottery for FY 2023. The lottery will run until March 18, 2022, during which time people will be able to apply for H-1B visas through USCIS’s online registration system. Anyone selected for this lottery will then be able to go forward with the process of getting H-1B visas, allowing them to legally come to the United States and work.
What Are H-1B Visas?
H-1B visas are a type of non-immigrant visa that is granted to members of so-called “specialty occupations,” who are looking to work in the United States. To obtain an H-1B visa, you must at least have the equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. In addition, you must have an employer who is able to sponsor you, and they must be able to demonstrate that the job the H-1B visa holder would accomplish could not be accomplished by local workers who are available and qualified.
What is the H-1B Visa Lottery?
Every year, only a certain number of people (65,000 for FY 2023) may qualify for new H-1B visas. To avoid the risk of favoritism or bias, applicants for these visas are placed in a lottery pool and drawn at random. If it is determined that an application meets the minimum criteria to be eligible for the program and they are selected in the lottery, they can then move forward with obtaining an H-1B visa.
Does Winning the Lottery Get Me a Visa?
Unfortunately, winning the H-1B lottery is only the first step in the process. You must still undergo a strict evaluation process by USCIS, including a background check and potentially an interview. If there are significant errors on your application, or any other issues that arise during the application process, you could still be denied a visa and prevented from coming to the United States.
What if I Need Help Applying for a Visa?
Fortunately, you do not need to apply for your visa by yourself. A lawyer with experience handling immigration matters can help you with your application, giving you the best chance possible to obtain a visa. However, there is not much time left to apply for an H-1B visa, and the deadline is approaching fast. The sooner you call an immigration lawyer, the sooner they can get to work on your case.
For more than 40 years, the Drucker Law Firm has been providing personal and quality legal services to individuals, universities, and corporations throughout the New York City and Tri-State area. We have represented three generations of clients in personal injury cases, as well as immigration, real estate, and general litigation matters. If you have a legal issue related to personal injury law, please give us a call at (718) 458-1489 to schedule a consultation or visit our contact page.
