H‑1B Cap-Exempt Guide for Non‑Profits – Alma

Every year, thousands of skilled professionals face challenges due to the limited number of H-1B visas available under the regular cap. Furthermore, the lottery system adds unpredictability, leaving many qualified applicants without sponsorship. 

Fortunately, cap-exempt H-1B visas for non-profits offer a more dependable alternative. These petitions are not restricted by the annual cap or lottery. They open doors to opportunities in sectors like education, healthcare, and public research, providing a reliable pathway for professionals to secure employment.

But who qualifies for an H-1B cap exemption? And what steps are involved in the process? This guide will help you understand everything you need to know about this unique opportunity and how it can benefit your career.

Key Takeaways:

• How the H-1B cap-exempt category for non-profits work and which employers qualify for it.
• H-1B cap-exempt eligibility requirements for non-profit universities and research organizations.
• Step-by-step guidance on the cap-exempt H-1B petition process, including required documents and timelines.

H-1B Cap-Exempt Eligibility For Non-Profits

Not every nonprofit or public employer qualifies for cap-exempt H-1B petitions. To secure a cap-exempt H-1B visa, the job must be offered by an employer that meets specific categories defined by USCIS. Each type of organization has unique requirements that must be met to qualify for cap-exempt status.

Non-Profit Colleges And Universities

These are accredited institutions that provide higher education and operate as nonprofit entities. To qualify as cap-exempt, the institution must meet specific criteria set by USCIS.

To Qualify:

• Must have nonprofit status recognized by the IRS.
• Must be accredited by a U.S. agency recognized by the Department of Education.
• Must grant degrees at the associate level or higher.
• It must primarily operate as a college or university, not just offer training or certificates.

This category includes many well-known universities and community colleges like the University of Michigan, Stanford University, and Miami Dade College.

Who Can Be Eligible?

Jobs at these institutions typically include faculty positions, academic researchers, or specialized roles supporting education. For example:

• A professor teaching computer science at an accredited university.
• A research scientist is working on a federally funded project in a university lab.

Non-Profit Entities Affiliated With A College Or University

These organizations are not universities themselves, but work closely with one. To qualify as cap-exempt, they must demonstrate a clear and documented affiliation with a qualifying college or university.

To Qualify:

• Must have a formal agreement showing active affiliation with a college or university.
• Must share ownership, control, or a common mission with the institution.
• Must directly support education or training activities.
• Must provide documentation of how the relationship functions daily.

Affiliated teaching hospitals and research centers like Johns Hopkins Hospital (affiliated with Johns Hopkins University), Massachusetts General Hospital (teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School), Howard University Hospital, and Salk Institute for Biological Studies (which focuses on molecular biology and genetics research) are common examples in this group.

Who Can Be Eligible?

Jobs at affiliated entities often include positions at teaching hospitals or research centers. For example:

• A software developer working on AI research at a university-affiliated lab.
• A medical researcher employed by a teaching hospital affiliated with a university.

Non-Profit Research Organizations

These are non-profit institutions whose primary mission is research. The research must be either basic (understanding science and theory) or applied (solving specific real-world problems). It can be in areas like science, health, or social development.

To qualify:

• Must have nonprofit status under federal tax law (e.g., 501(c)(3)).
• The focus must be mainly on research rather than services or teaching.
• Must produce publications or findings that contribute to public knowledge.
• Must demonstrate that its work benefits the public rather than private interests.

These employers often include labs or think tanks that study public health, education, or policy. For instance, the RAND Corporation, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and the Education Development Center (EDC).

Who Can Be Eligible?

Positions at these organizations often involve roles in scientific studies or policy development. For example:

• A data analyst studying public health trends at a nonprofit research institute.
• A biologist conducting applied research at a nonprofit lab focused on environmental conservation.

Government Research Organizations

This category includes federal, state, or local government agencies engaged in ongoing research activities. Unlike other cap-exempt employers, these organizations don’t need to be nonprofits but must have research as their core mission.

To qualify:

• It must be a U.S. government agency or federal, state, or local institution.
• Must show that the job supports scientific or medical research efforts.
• Must submit proof that research is central to the agency’s mission.
• It cannot operate as a commercial or for-profit entity.

Examples include government-run public health laboratories or scientific study centers such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service (USDA ARS).

Who Can Be Eligible?

Jobs here often involve roles in public health or scientific studies conducted by government agencies. For example:

• A statistician analyzing disease outbreaks at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• An agricultural scientist conducting crop studies for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service (USDA ARS).

General Requirements for Cap-Exempt H-1B Petitions

In addition to meeting the particular criteria for their category, employers must also demonstrate overall eligibility for a cap-exempt H-1B petition.

• The employer must be able to show it qualifies under one of the recognized cap-exempt categories.
• If the filing is based on affiliation, documentation showing the connection to a university is required.
• The job still needs to qualify as a specialty occupation, meaning it requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field.
• The employer must also offer the prevailing wage and follow all standard labor conditions rules.

H-1B Cap-Exempt Application Process

Even though cap-exempt petitions are not part of the H-1B lottery, the application steps are nearly the same. The process must follow strict documentation and filing rules.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Determine if the employer is cap-exempt. This involves reviewing the employer’s nonprofit status, research function, or university affiliation.
2. Get a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor. This outlines job title, wage, and location, and must be approved before filing the petition.
3. Prepare and file Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) along with the details about the H-1B position and required documents to show that the job and employer meet H-1B requirements.
4. Include documentation of cap-exempt status, such as nonprofit determination letters, proof of affiliation, or a description of the research function.
5. Submit the full petition to USCIS. Since these are not tied to the cap, they can be filed at any time during the year.

The petition should clearly mark it as cap-exempt. This helps USCIS route and review it correctly. Errors in how the employer or petition is classified can lead to delays or denials.

H-1B Cap-Exempt Processing Time

Cap-exempt H-1B petitions are reviewed under the same processing timelines as other H-1Bs. However, the total wait time can be shorter since the cap lottery process doesn’t delay them.

There are two main options for processing:

• Regular processing usually takes 3-6 months, depending on the service center and workload.
• Premium processing, which speeds up the review to 15 business days for an additional fee of $2,805.

For many non-profit employers or research institutions, regular processing may be enough. But in time-sensitive cases—such as filling academic roles before the school year or meeting grant deadlines—premium processing can help speed things up.

How is a Cap-Exempt H-1B Different From a Regular H-1B?

The standard H-1B process follows strict deadlines. Each year, there's a cap of 65,000 new H-1B visas, plus 20,000 for those with U.S. master’s degrees or higher. This cap is hit quickly, which creates stress and limits chances.

Cap-exempt H-1Bs follow a different path. Here’s how they typically compare:

Cap-exempt status gives more flexibility in hiring and job changes. It also removes the uncertainty of the lottery.

How Alma Helps with Cap-Exempt H-1B Petitions

Applying for a cap-exempt H-1B visa can still involve complex paperwork challenges. That’s where our expert team at Alma comes in.

Whether the employer is a nonprofit university, a research hospital, or a government-affiliated lab, we work closely to help build strong, compliant petitions that are ready to file.

Here’s how we support cap-exempt H-1B filings:

• Fast document processing with an average two-week turnaround time to keep petitions moving without delays.
• High-quality legal preparation from expert attorneys who focus on talent visas and help maximize chances of approval.
• Personalized support for every case, with clear communication and transparency at each step.

We simplify a complex system, reduce the stress of immigration paperwork, and help both employers and professionals stay confident and informed throughout the process. 

Need more help? Book a free consultation now to connect with our expert legal advisors at Alma.

Final Thoughts

Cap-exempt H-1B visas are a significant opportunity for skilled workers seeking employment in the U.S. By understanding the eligibility criteria and application process, you can increase your chances of finding a fulfilling career while bypassing common challenges. Seeking expert guidance can further simplify the process and ensure a successful outcome.

At Alma, we simplify this process with expert legal support and modern tools. We help employers and skilled workers assess their eligibility and build strong petitions quickly and accurately. Get started with a free consultation today!

FAQs

Can someone move from cap-exempt to cap-subject or vice versa?

Yes, but the new cap-subject employer must go through the lottery unless the person was already counted under the H-1B cap in the past six years. If they were counted before, the petition can be filed without the lottery.

Can the same person have both cap-exempt and cap-subject H-1B?

Yes, it’s possible to hold both with different employers through concurrent employment. However, the individual must maintain their cap-exempt role in order to continue working under the concurrent cap-subject H-1B.

What if a cap-exempt H-1B worker wants to switch employers?

If switching to another cap-exempt job, the new petition can be filed at any time without the lottery. But if the new employer is cap-subject and the person hasn’t been counted before, they must go through the lottery.

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