The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially set the registration period for H-1B visa applications for fiscal year 2026, running from March 7, 2025, to March 24, 2025. This visa program, widely utilized by U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields, continues to be a key pathway for skilled workers, with Indian IT professionals making up the largest applicant group.
Registration Process and Key Changes
Employers and legal representatives can create their USCIS online accounts at any time, but actual registration and fee payments will only be accepted starting March 7. The selection process will occur after the registration period closes, meaning applicants do not need to rush to register on the first day.
For the second consecutive year, USCIS will use a beneficiary-centric selection system, first introduced in FY 2025. Under this method, registrations will be chosen based on individual applicants rather than the number of times they are submitted by different employers. This change is intended to prevent fraudulent multiple entries and ensure a fair selection process.
If USCIS receives enough registrations by the March 24 deadline, it will conduct a lottery to select applicants at random and notify them through the USCIS online system. If the number of registrations falls short of the limit, all eligible applicants will be selected automatically.
Annual Cap and Application Fee
Each year, Congress limits the number of H-1B visas to 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas reserved for applicants holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
The registration window will open at 12 PM ET on March 7 and close at 12 PM ET on March 24. All applicants must register electronically via the USCIS online portal and pay a $215 registration fee per beneficiary to participate in the selection process.
Employers and applicants are encouraged to prepare early, ensuring they meet all requirements and deadlines for a smooth registration experience.
For more information on H-1B and the application process, you can find our free H-1B Visa guide here: https://www.imwong.com/immigration-guides/h-1b-visa/
