The H-1B cap registration period for FY2026 is set to begin on March 7, 2025. Employers seeking to hire foreign professionals under this visa category must act within the designated timeframe to submit their registrations. With significant updates to the registration process, including negatives like increased fees and positives like extended cap-gap benefits. Understanding these changes is crucial for employers to navigate the process smoothly and to file successful applications.
Important Dates for H-1B Registration
The H-1B registration period for FY2026 will open on March 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST and close on March 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST. During this window, U.S. employers or their legal representatives must electronically submit H-1B registrations for their selected candidates through the USCIS online registration system.
Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process
Similar to FY2025, the H-1B beneficiary-centric selection process will ensure that each beneficiary is entered into the lottery only once for one employer or related employers. Unrelated employers may register the same employee for different jobs. The USCIS will identify unique beneficiaries and conduct the lottery based on individual filings. Only one employer’s registration is confirmed, preventing duplicate selections and reducing system manipulation.
Increase in H-1B Registration Fee
A key change for FY2026 is the significant increase in the H-1B registration fee. The cost per beneficiary has increased from $10 to $215, requiring employers to carefully evaluate their budgets when planning to sponsor foreign talent.
Cap-Gap Extension for F-1 Students
A significant policy update benefits F-1 students transitioning to H-1B status. Previously, automatic work authorization under the cap-gap provision ended on October 1 of the intended H-1B start year. This meant that employees had to stop working on October 1 if their petition was not approved. However, starting FY2026, the cap-gap benefit will extend until April 1 of the following calendar year, provided the H-1B petition is timely filed as a Change of Status (COS) request. This extension will enable students to maintain uninterrupted employment while awaiting H-1B approval.
H-1B Cap Selections
Each fiscal year, the USCIS allocates 85,000 new H-1B visas, including 20,000 reserved for individuals holding a U.S. master’s degree or higher. While the official filing period has not yet been confirmed, it is expected to last approximately 90 days, likely through the end of June 2025. Employers and legal representatives will receive selection notifications via their USCIS online accounts no later than March 31, 2025.
What Employers Must Do to Prepare
To ensure a smooth registration process, employers should:
- Create a USCIS online account – If you have not registered previously, you must create the USCIS organizational (Registrant) account before the registration period commences.
- Confirm account type – If you had an H-1B registrant account for FY 2021–FY 2024 but did not use it for FY 2025, it will convert to an organizational account upon login.
- Gather beneficiary details in advance – While registrations cannot be submitted before March 7, employer representatives must be ready with the list of their nominated candidates and supporting documents required for registration purposes.
- Review budget adjustments – With the increase in the H-1B registration fee, employers should reassess their hiring budgets accordingly.
If a U.S. entity is applying for H-1Bs for the first time, it must first have its FEIN (Employer Identification Number) verified by the Department of Labor and complete the VIBE (Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises) registration online. To prevent any delays, this process should be completed before the U.S. entity prepares to file H-1B petitions.
Final Thoughts
Employers should plan, use the enhanced registration system, and ensure full compliance with USCIS guidelines. These updates are designed to make the H-1B lottery process more transparent, efficient, and equitable, aligning with the evolving needs of the modern workforce.
Disclaimer: This article is drafted based on publicly available information and some of the comments are the author’s personal views.
About the Authors:
Poorvi Chothani, Esq. is the founder and managing partner of LawQuest, an employment and immigration boutique law firm. Poorvi, a graduate of University of Pennsylvania, is admitted to the bar in India and the USA and is a registered and practicing solicitor, England and Wales. She holds senior leadership positions in the American Bar Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association and the International Bar Association.
Manizeh Mistry is Deputy Head – Global and U.S. Immigration at LawQuest. She is an Advocate admitted to the Bar Council of India and assists Poorvi with U.S. and Global immigration matters.
