US Clarifies H-1B Lottery Shake-Up: New "One Applicant, One Bid" Rule for Future Applications Only

In a significant clarification that brings relief and clarity to thousands of prospective H-1B visa applicants, particularly from India, the United States has confirmed that its new "one registration per beneficiary" rule for the H-1B lottery will apply exclusively to new applications for fiscal year 2025 onwards.

This crucial update, coming amidst swirling questions and anxieties, assures that the already submitted applications for the current fiscal year (FY 2024) will not be impacted by the stricter new guidelines.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued this statement to quash widespread confusion following recent reports about an impending rule change.

The core of the new policy is a robust effort to combat the rampant fraud that has plagued the H-1B lottery in recent years. Specifically, the previous system allowed multiple employers to file separate registrations for the same individual, artificially inflating the chances of selection and undermining the fairness of the lottery.

Under the beneficiary-centric selection process, which is being formally introduced, each individual can only be the subject of one H-1B registration in a given fiscal year.

This means that even if a highly sought-after tech professional receives multiple job offers from different US companies, only one of those companies can submit an H-1B registration on their behalf. The USCIS has explicitly stated that if multiple registrations are filed for the same beneficiary, all entries for that individual will be deemed invalid and disqualified.

This move comes after the USCIS identified a substantial increase in fraudulent activities during the H-1B cap seasons for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.

Investigations revealed a significant number of instances where the same beneficiary was included in multiple registrations submitted by different — often related or shell — organizations. Such practices not only skewed the lottery results but also reduced the legitimate chances for genuine applicants and companies.

For Indian tech workers, who constitute a dominant majority of H-1B visa beneficiaries, this clarification is particularly impactful.

It ensures a level playing field, where the lottery's integrity is prioritized, and genuine talent has a fairer shot at securing the coveted work visa. While the new rule introduces a more stringent application process, its ultimate goal is to safeguard the H-1B program from abuse and ensure it serves its intended purpose of bringing highly skilled foreign workers to the US.

The USCIS is set to publish the final rule formalizing these changes, signaling a firm commitment to a transparent and equitable H-1B selection process.

This transition from an employer-centric to a beneficiary-centric approach marks a significant shift, emphasizing the individual applicant's journey and aiming to restore trust in one of the most vital pathways for global talent seeking opportunities in the United States.