The H-1B registration process has begun accepting applications as of March 1st at 12pm, which will run through to March 20, 2020. The H-1B category is the temporary worker path in the U.S. that allows Skilled Foreign nationals to remain in the U.S. and work for a period of 6 years. Unfortunately, this is an employer sponsored visa, therefore, applicants cannot apply directly. In addition, the USCIS has instituted a cap for every year, limiting the number of H-1B petitions that are approved. With the new H-1B registration pilot system, employers register and pay a $10 registration fee. Once registrations exceed the allocated cap, a lottery is run on all submissions and if you are chosen, the employer may then file a complete H-1B application. This is a completely random process and provides a great deal of uncertainty for a foreign national wishing to work in the U.S. Currently there is an 85,000 Cap limit, with 20,000 available to those with a master’s or above. Under the “advanced degree exemption”, the USCIS allocates up to 20,000 petitions for those with an advanced degree. If there are more than 20,000 petitions, those not chosen are entered into with the regular lottery pool. With the new H-1B lottery system, it will be quite difficult for both employers and foreign nationals with or without an advanced degree to make plans for their future.