US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made the announcement yesterday. It said, the non-refundable fee will support the new electronic registration system to make the H-1B cap selection process more efficient. Petitioners seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, will first have to electronically register with the USCIS during a designated registration period.
USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli said the electronic registration system is part of an agency-wide initiative to modernise immigration system while deterring fraud.
The H-1B program allows US companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the application of a body of highly specialised knowledge with bachelor’s or a higher degree in the specific speciality, or it’s equivalent.