Applicants should start early by keeping an eye on policy updates, gather documents that meet the latest requirements, and work closely with their employers who will need to be proactive as well.

The H-1B process remains employer-driven, with the employer filing the petition and the employee maintaining status by staying employed in the approved job under the approved terms.

Applicants may face longer wait times, rescheduling, and reduced appointment availability, which can affect travel plans and project timelines for those who need to be stamped in person.

Employers should document the outage notices and attempt timestamps now and organize a ready-to-file H-1B package so they can submit immediately when LCA access returns.

It’s important to stay informed on official announcements from USCIS, consult with immigration experts, and gather necessary documents ahead of time to be ready when the proposed changes come into effect.