All H-1B Cap EXEMPT visa petitions should be filed with the California Service Center

Employers who are filing H-1B cap exempt visa petitions including extension petitions must file those petitions with the California Service Center (CSC). Additionally, please note that any H-1B cap exempt and extension petitions mistakenly sent to the Vermont Service Center (VSC) will be REJECTED.

H-1B “Cap EXEMPT” petitions include petitions filed by:
• Institutions of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. 1001(a);
• Nonprofit organizations or entities related to or affiliated with institutions of higher education; and
• Nonprofit research organizations or governmental research organizations, as defined in 8 CFR 214.2(h)(19)(iii)(C).

Please see below the correct mailing address for the California Service Center:

For Direct Mail:
U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
California Service Center
ATTN: CAP EXEMPT H-1B Processing Unit
P.O. BOX 30040
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-3004

For non-United States Postal Service (USPS) deliveries (e.g. private couriers):
U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
California Service Center
ATTN: CAP EXEMPT H-1B Processing Unit
24000 Avila Road, Room 2312
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

In addition, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has advised Employers filing H-1B Cap EXEMPT petitions to clearly mark the envelope and top margin of Form I-129 “EXEMPT” to ensure quick identification of the H-1B filing at the CSC.

If you have any questions regarding the H-1B visa petition , please do not hesitate to contact our office .