FY2026 H-1B Lottery: USCIS Opens Initial Registration Period
The USCIS announced that the initial registration period for the FY2026 H-1B cap will open at 12:00 PM (ET) on March 7, 2025, and close at 12:00 PM (ET) on March 24, 2025. During this period, petitioners must register each beneficiary electronically through a USCIS online account and pay a $215 registration fee per beneficiary.
Understanding the H-1B Cap and Electronic Registration
The H-1B visa program is an essential pathway for U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in “specialty occupations” that require a bachelor’s degree or higher.
To streamline this process, USCIS now uses an electronic registration system. This system replaced the old process where employers had to prepare and submit full H-1B petitions before the lottery. Under the current system, employers and their legal representatives must first create an online account with USCIS and submit a simple electronic registration for each prospective employee during a specific window. This registration is a prerequisite for filing an H-1B cap-subject petition.
Key Dates and Procedures for FY2026
The FY2026 H-1B cap season follows the new, beneficiary-centric electronic registration process. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates and requirements:
The filing period for selected petitions for FY2026 will begin on April 1, 2025, and will last for at least 90 days. The earliest start date for employment under a new H-1B cap-subject visa is October 1, 2025, the start of the fiscal year.
Registration Period: The window for electronic registration is from March 7, 2025, to March 24, 2025. It is not necessary to register on the first day, as the lottery is random and does not depend on the time of submission.
Beneficiary Information: For each registration, petitioners must provide basic information about the company and the beneficiary, including a valid passport or travel document number. . USCIS will invalidate all registrations for a beneficiary if a single employer submits more than one entry on their behalf. However, it is permissible for multiple employers to register the same beneficiary.
Selection and Notification: After the registration period closes, USCIS will conduct a lottery to select the registrations. The agency intends to notify prospective petitioners and their representatives of the selection results by March 31, 2025.
