The USCIS has proposed that it will create a mechanism that will allow companies interested in obtaining the H-1B visa to “pre-register” before the H-1B Cap Date (on April 1st each year). If enacted, the proposal will limit the expense of both the USCIS and employers.
Currently, H-1B employers must complete a full petition before knowing whether they will be in the first 65,000 H-1B visas that are made available each year. With the proposed system, companies will be able to register, find out if they are within the 65,000 visas, and then will need to complete the full H-1B petition.
Currently, the H-1B proposal is only a proposal. It is open for comment until March 30, 2011. It is my guess that the proposal will not go into effect until April 2012 (if it is enacted).