This May, USCIS issued an important policy memorandum about the H-1B master’s cap exemption.

In order to qualify for the exemption, the institution granting your master’s degree must be considered a US institution of higher education, as defined by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), at the time you received your master’s degree.

If the institution is qualified after your graduation date, you are not eligible for the master’s cap exemption and must enter the general H-1B lottery.