H-1B Registration Period FY 2026 Opens March 7
H‑1B Registration Period FY 2026 Announced by USCIS
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the H‑1B registration period FY 2026, setting the window for H‑1B visa applications from March 7, 2025, to March 24, 2025. The H‑1B visa program remains a widely used option for U.S. employers seeking to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields. Indian IT professionals continue to represent the largest group of applicants.
H‑1B Registration Period FY 2026: Registration Process and Key Changes
Employers and legal representatives may create USCIS online accounts at any time. However, USCIS will accept registrations and fee payments only beginning on March 7. Because the selection process will take place after the registration period closes, applicants do not need to submit registrations on the first day.
For the second consecutive year, USCIS will apply a beneficiary‑centric selection system, first introduced during the FY 2025 cap season. Under this approach, USCIS selects registrations based on individual beneficiaries rather than the number of submissions made by different employers. As a result, the system aims to reduce fraudulent multiple registrations and promote a more equitable selection process.
If USCIS receives enough registrations by the March 24 deadline, it will conduct a random lottery. USCIS will then notify selected applicants through its online system. If registrations do not reach the annual limit, USCIS will automatically select all eligible applicants.
Annual Cap and Application Fee
Congress limits the H‑1B program to 65,000 visas each fiscal year. In addition, the agency reserves 20,000 visas for individuals who hold advanced degrees from accredited U.S. institutions.
USCIS will open the registration window at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 7 and close it at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 24. All employers must complete registration electronically through the USCIS online portal. To participate in the selection process, employers must pay a $215 registration fee for each beneficiary.
Because the registration period is brief, employers and applicants should prepare in advance to meet all procedural requirements and deadlines.
For additional background on the H‑1B program and application process, readers may review the firm’s free H‑1B Visa Guide:
H-1B Specialty Occupations | USCIS
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