Initial H-1B Cap Registration for FY2026 to begin March 7th

USCIS announced that the initial registration period for the H-1B Cap registration for fiscal year 2026 will open at 12 noon Eastern time on March 7, 2025 and run through 12 noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this period, prospective petitioners and legal representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the lottery process and pay the associated fees for each beneficiary.

Compared to prior years, the H-1B Cap registration fee has been increased to $215 per beneficiary. Selections will take place after the initial registration period closes so petitioners and representatives may submit registrations at any time during the open registration period.

USCIS will notify prospective petitioners and representatives by March 31, 2025 of selection(s). Petitioners and representatives should note that USCIS will utilize the “beneficiary-centric” selection process launched in FY2025 under which registrations are selected by unique beneficiary rather than by registration to address issues with multiple registrations being filed for an individual beneficiary. Registrations are not transferable between beneficiaries. Further information on the electronic registration process is available here.

For more information or to discuss eligibility, please contact your RSPC Attorney.