---
title: "Origination Season: 3 Simple Things You Need to Know"
description: Populus Group's H-1B services are about supporting foreign nationals on their road to success. Origination or Cap season is the yearly opportunity for foreign nationals to apply for a new H-1B visa. This quick guide breaks down the complex set of deadlines and rules into an easy-to-follow resource for candidates and sponsors.
---

[The PG Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com)

# [Origination Season: 3 Simple Things You Need to Know](https://blog.populusgroup.com/guide-to-origination-season)

 Written by [Brandon Byrd](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-byrd) | 3/10/2022

**Origination Season. This time of year is about people. It's about our communities. It's able helping people secure access to the opportunities they've worked so hard to qualify for.** **And ultimately, it's about making sure that everyone, no matter what country they were born in, has the opportunity to succeed.**

If you work with foreign nationals, you already know, having rock-solid sponsorship is everything. So brush up on the super important dates and guidelines of the most important time of year for this population, and they people they work with: Origination Season  all you need to know.

# Simple Guide to Origination Season

### 1) What is Origination Season?

**Origination or Cap season is the yearly opportunity for foreign nationals to apply for a new H-1B visa.**

**When can candidates apply?**

In 2020, USCIS transitioned to an [online registration process](https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-electronic-registration-process) for the H-1B cap to streamline processes by reducing paperwork and data exchange, and provide cost savings for employers filing H-1B petitions.  
Online registration for fiscal year 2023 will be open from March 1-18, 2022.  
Selections take place after the initial registration period ends, and USCIS intend to inform petitioners of selection via their myUSCIS online account by March 31.

**What is the lottery?**

This is the system the USCIS uses to select the 85,000 H-1B candidates from the more than 200,000 applicants they receive each year.

- **H-1B Regular Quota : 65,000 visas**
- **H-1B Master’s Quota : 20,000 visas. ( only US Masters are eligible)**

# 2) How does an OPT impact the application process?

**Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study ([more info about OPT here](https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/optional-practical-training)).**

First consider how long the project is set to last. If a candidate has enough OPT time left, they may have the option to wait to apply for a visa. A Populus Group Immigration Specialist can advise you on if this year is appropriate to apply for the H1.

**[Click here to ask a specialist now >>](https://learn.populusgroup.com/origination-season-inquiry)**

If a candidate chooses to apply for an H1, they will move from the OPT pricing calculator to an H1 calculator effective **April 4th**. 

## 3) Prevailing Wage: why is it important?

**Prevailing wage is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in the area/physical address of intended employment.** Prevailing wages are determined by the Department of Labor.

**Why is this important?**

Prevailing wages are important to know because:

- Prevailing wages **aren’t applicable to OPT workers**
- If a candidate is applying for an H1, their **direct labor rate may need to be adjusted** to meet prevailing wage.

A Populus Group Immigration Specialist will be able to advise you of the wage level needed to file.

# Still have questions about H1 Originations? 

We have an Immigration Specialist in your region and they will be happy to go over in more detail!

**[Click here to connect with a specialist now >>](https://learn.populusgroup.com/origination-season-inquiry)**

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*\*a quick editor's note: this post was originally published in February 2019 and has been updated as of March 2022 to include updates to the online registration process.*

[View full post](https://blog.populusgroup.com/guide-to-origination-season)

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