The H-1B cap registration period has opened, and employers can now submit registrations through the online portal managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
For this H-1B season, USCIS has introduced three additional questions in the electronic registration system. These require employers to provide more detailed information about the job position at the time of registration.
These updates aim to increase transparency, improve data accuracy, and strengthen program integrity. Employers and immigration professionals should carefully review these new fields before completing registrations.
Below is an overview of the three new questions added to the H-1B registration process.
1. Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code
Employers are now required to provide the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for the offered position during registration.
The SOC code categorizes the occupation associated with the job offer. Each occupation in the U.S. labor market is assigned a unique SOC code reflecting the nature of the job duties.
Providing the SOC code allows USCIS to assess the specialty occupation better and helps ensure the role aligns with H-1B requirements.
Accurate code selection is important, as it directly relates to job classification and the corresponding wage level.
2. Wage Level Selection (Level 1–4)
The registration portal now requires employers to select the wage level for the offered position.
Wage levels are based on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) system and are categorized as:
- Level 1 – Entry level
- Level 2 – Qualified level
- Level 3 – Experienced level
- Level 4 – Fully experienced level
Collecting this information gives USCIS better insight into the compensation structure of H-1B positions and helps ensure consistency throughout the petition process.
Employers should ensure the selected wage level accurately reflects the role’s experience requirements and responsibilities.
3. Worksite Location Information
Employers are also required to provide the worksite location, including city, county, and state.
Worksite information is important because it determines the prevailing wage requirement and supports compliance with labor regulations.
Collecting this information at the registration stage allows USCIS to better align registration data with what will later appear in the Labor Condition Application (LCA) and the full H-1B petition.
Importance of These Updates
The introduction of these additional questions reflects USCIS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen oversight of the H-1B program. By requiring more detailed information during registration, the agency aims to improve accuracy and reduce inconsistencies between registration and petition filings.
These changes may also help USCIS improve transparency, reduce misuse of the registration system, ensure consistency between job classification and wage levels, and enhance overall program integrity.
Conclusion
The addition of the SOC code, wage level, and worksite location questions represents an important update to the H-1B registration process. Employers must now provide more detailed information about the offered position even before the lottery selection.
To avoid issues later in the petition process, employers should ensure the information entered during registration remains accurate and consistent with what will be included in the Labor Condition Application and the H-1B petition.
