Immigration Update: May 2024
May 30, 2024USCIS Announces Receipt Notice Delays from Lockbox Locations
Starting April 1, 2024, USCIS’s requirement for H-1B and H-1B1 petitioners to submit Form I-129 to designated lockbox facilities instead of service centers has led to processing delays at these facilities. This change has specifically resulted in delays issuing receipt notices. Additionally, lockbox facilities process various other forms and benefit requests, including Form I-140 for Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, Form I-130 for Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-485 for Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (green card application), Form I-765 for Application for Employment Authorization (EAD card), and Form I-131 for Application for Travel Document (advance parole).
May 2024 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
The Department of Labor is experiencing longer processing times for PERM cases and prevailing wage determinations compared to previous years. As of this month, the DOL is reviewing PERM applications filed in April 2023 or earlier and processing audited cases with priority dates of December 2022 or earlier. The DOL is also handling standard reconsideration requests filed in April 2023 or earlier. Additionally, prevailing wage determinations for PERM requests filed in November 2023 (OES) and March 2023 (non-OES) are currently being issued.
H-1B Update: FY 2025 Data
USCIS reported receiving approximately 442,000 H-1B cap registrations for FY 2025, selecting 114,017 beneficiaries—around 25.8% of those registered—to meet the annual H-1B quota of 85,000. This selection rate is consistent with previous years: 24.8% of eligible registrations were selected for FY 2024 and 26.9% for FY 2023. USCIS has not yet revealed the number of beneficiaries selected under the H-1B cap exemption for individuals with U.S. advanced degrees, which accounts for 20,000 of the 85,000 total cap numbers.
Summer Travel
Foreign nationals planning international travel and returning to the United States this summer should ensure they possess all necessary documents. This includes a passport with adequate validity, a valid U.S. visa in the appropriate classification, and advance travel permission if required.