Immigration and Citizenship Community News March 2025
March 12, 2025
Dear Comets,
USCIS Announces FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary. As a reminder, H-1B electronic registration DOES NOT grant Cap Gap Extension benefits to F-1 students and alumni. See below for more information about electronic registration.
H-1B Electronic Registration Process
Employers must complete an electronic registration process as a part of the H-1B petition process. Registration opens in March. If you need copies of your UT Dallas I-20 forms, complete the Immigration Document Copy Request through the iComet Portal. Please keep in mind, the ISSO can only provide copies of documents that we have on file. It is your responsibility to maintain your immigration records. H-1B registration DOES NOT provide Cap Gap Extension eligibility. Any Cap Gap Extension is based on the filing date (when the full application is sent to USCIS), not the registration date. You will receive both a registration notice after electronic registration and a receipt notice after filing the application. Only the receipt notice can be used for Cap Gap Extension benefits.
DOS Announces Revised Visa Interview Waiver Policy
In a February 18, 2025, Interview Waiver Update the Department of State announced changes to its policies on eligibility for waivers of the in-person visa interview requirement. The previous policy allowed interview waivers for applicants whose prior visa had expired within the past 48 months. Now, visa applicants are only eligible for a waiver for the interview requirement in the 12 months after their visa expires. Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or because of local conditions. We encourage applicants to check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, and to learn more about the embassy or consulate’s operating status and services.
TPS Haiti
On Feb. 20, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem partially vacated the July 1, 2024, notice that extended and redesignated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The announcement amends the period of extension and redesignation of Haiti for TPS from 18 months to 12 months, with a new end date of August 3, 2025 and makes a corresponding change to the initial registration period for new applicants under the redesignation, which will now remain in effect through August 3, 2025.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!
Immigration Pathways for Immigrant and International Students
OICS will be hosting a seminar with immigration attorney Robert Armstrong to discuss key topics like DACA, TPS, and pathways forward for Venezuelan students whose TPS status is set to expire soon. Learn about your options, rights, and resources available to help you secure your future in the U.S. This event will be hosted both in-person on UTD campus and virtually through Teams . You must register for the event whether you attend in-person or virtually.
Virtual Registration – limit 1000 attendees
In-Person Registration – limit 40 attendees. Only register for in-person if you are certain you will attend or cancel your registration if you are unable to come as planned so others can register.
Date: Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025
Time: 11:00AM CT
Location: FA 2.206 and Teams
Journey from F-1 to H-1B and Beyond Seminar
The OICS and ISSO will be co-presenting a seminar with immigration attorney David Swaim to talk about transitioning from F-1 to H-1B, the H-1B petition process, and steps for Permanent Residency. This event will be hosted both in-person on UTD campus and virtually through Teams. You must register for the event whether you attend in-person or virtually.
Virtual Registration – limit 1000 attendees
In-Person Registration – limit 40 attendees. Only register for in-person if you are certain you will attend or cancel your registration if you are unable to come as planned so others can register.
Date: Wednesday, April 19th, 2025
Time: 5:00PM CT
Location: FA 2.206 and Teams
OICS is here for you
You can schedule an appointment with an OICS advisor or send a message through your iComet Portal, for nonimmigrant categories.
Find us on the web
Immigration and Citizenship webpage and archive of news located at – https://oics.utdallas.edu/newsletter/
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Warm regards,
Office of Immigrant and Citizenship Services (OICS)
The University of Texas at Dallas