FY 2026 H-1B Registration Opens in March with Steep Fee Increase

Key Takeaways

• FY 2026 H-1B registration period runs March 7–24, 2025, with notifications by March 31, 2025, via USCIS accounts.
• Registration fee increases from $10 to $215, with daily credit card limits temporarily raised to $99,999.99 for this season.
• H-1B petitions for selected beneficiaries can be filed April 1–June 30, 2025, with employment starting October 1, 2025.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released an important announcement regarding the upcoming fiscal year 2026 (FY 2026) H-1B cap season. This includes the dates for the registration period, an updated beneficiary-centric selection process, and a significant increase in the H-1B registration fee. These updates are critical for employers and individuals planning to participate in the FY 2026 H-1B cap, as they bring notable procedural and financial changes.

Registration Period for FY 2026 H-1B Cap

The initial registration window for FY 2026 will open on March 7, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will close on March 24, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. During this time, employers or their legal representatives must use the USCIS online portal to register each beneficiary they wish to sponsor.

USCIS will maintain the beneficiary-centric selection process which was first implemented for FY 2025. This process selects registrations based on a unique beneficiary rather than the number of entries submitted for them. This means that each beneficiary, no matter how many employers register on their behalf, will have just one entry into the selection pool. By doing this, USCIS aims to create a level playing field where no beneficiary holds an unfair advantage due to multiple registrations by different petitioners.

Once the submission deadline passes, USCIS will determine whether enough unique registrations have been submitted. If so, a random lottery will be conducted to select beneficiaries. Selection notifications will be sent through the online accounts of the registrants by March 31, 2025. This timeline allows petitioners to begin the next steps promptly if their registration is selected.

H-1B Cap Numbers and Post-Lottery Process

The H-1B cap for FY 2026 remains unchanged with 65,000 regular cap visas and 20,000 additional visas reserved under the U.S. Master’s Cap, which is specifically for those who have earned advanced degrees from U.S. universities.

Once a registration is selected, employers can file the required H-1B cap petition within the specified filing window, which is expected to run from April 1, 2025, to June 30, 2025. Selected employers must adhere to this timeframe, as the employment for any FY 2026 H-1B beneficiary can only begin on or after October 1, 2025.

For registrations not selected in the initial lottery, the status will remain as “Submitted” in the USCIS system. These unselected registrations may be considered in subsequent lotteries if available cap spaces have not been filled. This secondary opportunity ensures that every visa is effectively utilized.

Major Increase in the H-1B Registration Fee

A major change for FY 2026 is the steep increase in the H-1B registration fee. Previously $10 per registration, the fee will rise to $215, representing a significant financial adjustment. This new fee must be paid for each beneficiary registration, and it is non-refundable. Registrants should note that incomplete payments or failed submissions will result in the invalidation of the form. Failure to pay the required $215 fee properly will also lead to denials or errors during the registration process.

Although the new fee significantly raises costs for petitioners, it reflects USCIS’s broader effort to balance processing costs with federal funding needs. Businesses and legal representatives will need to budget carefully for this change, particularly when submitting bulk registrations for multiple candidates.

To manage the expected financial volume, new payment measures have been introduced. The daily credit card transaction limit has been temporarily raised from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 for the FY 2026 H-1B filing season. Payments exceeding this amount can still be made using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system, though registrants may need to inform their banks of such transactions in advance to avoid processing blocks.

Creating a USCIS Online Account

To participate in the H-1B cap filing process, employers must have valid USCIS online accounts. These accounts are mandatory for electronically registering beneficiaries. Individuals who previously registered accounts under prior H-1B seasons may still use the same credentials, but accounts not accessed during FY 2025 will automatically convert to “organizational accounts” upon login.

First-time users are encouraged to create their accounts well before March 7, 2025, to avoid last-minute technical issues. However, beneficiary details and the $215 fee payment can only be entered starting March 7 when the registration officially opens.

Registration Statuses and What They Mean

After the registration period closes, updates about registration statuses will be available via USCIS accounts. Each registration will display one of the following statuses:

1. Submitted: The registration is awaiting lottery selection.
2. Selected: The beneficiary’s registration has been chosen during the lottery.
3. Not Selected: The registration was not chosen in the lottery.
4. Denied: Duplicate Registration: Multiple registrations were submitted for the same beneficiary, which is prohibited.
5. Invalidated – Failed Payment: The payment for the registration was either declined or invalid.
6. Deleted: The registration was manually removed and is no longer eligible.
7. Processing Submission: USCIS is still processing the registration.

These statuses serve as important indicators for petitioners and beneficiaries to understand the outcome of their registrations or whether issues with submission payments need to be resolved.

Petition Filing Guidelines

For those beneficiaries selected in the lottery, employers must comply with specific petition requirements when filing H-1B petitions. These requirements include the following:

• Employment start dates must be on or after October 1, 2025.
• The “Beneficiary Confirmation Number” received during the registration process must be explicitly included in the application on the H Classification Supplement.
• All documents must be properly signed.
• Petitioners must include their own address in Part 1, Question 3 of Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker).
• Beneficiary passport or travel document details must also be included on Form I-129.

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that petitions avoid unnecessary delays or denial due to incomplete or incorrect submissions.

Rationale Behind the Changes

USCIS continues to refine and improve the H-1B registration system. The adoption of the beneficiary-centric process reflects an emphasis on fairness, giving all registrants equal opportunity in the highly competitive selection process. At the same time, the fee increase is being seen as a reflection of the heightened demand for H-1B visas and the agency’s need to cover administrative expenses. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that employers are already bracing for the financial burden but acknowledge that the higher registration fee may deter frivolous registrations, potentially benefiting the system overall.

Looking Ahead

As the FY 2026 H-1B registration period begins on March 7, 2025, it is essential for employers and petitioners to prepare as early as possible. Staying informed about changes, ensuring timely account creation, and submitting error-free registrations will be crucial for a smooth application process. Businesses and registrants must also budget appropriately for the increased costs associated with the higher H-1B registration fee.

To ensure compliance with new rules and access official resources, employers and interested parties can visit the USCIS H-1B Cap Season Page for additional guidance. For specific legal questions, consulting with an immigration attorney is strongly recommended.

The FY 2026 H-1B updates represent an evolving phase in U.S. visa policy, aiming for more fairness and addressing administrative priorities. As USCIS refines its policies and systems, staying ahead of these developments gives employers and prospective H-1B beneficiaries a better chance to successfully navigate the process.

Learn Today

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) → U.S. federal agency overseeing lawful immigration, including visa processes, naturalization, and refugee applications.
H-1B Cap → The annual limit on the number of H-1B visas issued, set at 65,000 plus 20,000 for U.S. advanced degree holders.
Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process → A system where each visa applicant is entered into the lottery once, regardless of multiple employer registrations.
Automated Clearing House (ACH) → An electronic funds transfer network used for processing large financial transactions between banks in the U.S.
Form I-129 → A U.S. government form used by employers to petition for nonimmigrant workers, including H-1B visa applications.

This Article in a Nutshell

USCIS has revamped the FY 2026 H-1B process! Key updates include a March 7-24, 2025 registration window, a beneficiary-centric selection to ensure fairness, and a striking fee hike from $10 to $215. Employers must prepare now—create online accounts, budget wisely, and avoid errors. Early action ensures smoother participation and better outcomes!
— By VisaVerge.com

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