H-1B Registration Checklist (FY2026)

Complete all steps to prepare for your H-1B registration before the March 7-24, 2025 window opens

Employer Information

Gather all necessary details about the sponsoring employer.

Full legal name of the company

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

NAICS Code

Company address

Contact information of authorized signatory

Company's Year of Incorporation

Number of employees (full-time)

Gross annual income

Net annual income

Job Position Details

Prepare information about the specific position being offered.

Job title

SOC code and occupation title

Job duties and responsibilities

Worksite address(es)

Salary/wage offered

Period of intended employment

Start date

End date

Is this a full-time position?

Minimum education requirements

Special skills or licenses required

Educational Credentials

Document all educational qualifications of the beneficiary.

Degree/Certificate #1

Institution name and address

Degree/certificate received

Field of study

Date degree was awarded

Documentation status

Diploma copy available
Transcript copy available
Credential evaluation completed (if foreign)

Prior Visa History

Document all previous US visa applications and statuses.

Previous visa types and numbers

Dates of previous entries/exits to/from the US

Previous USCIS receipt numbers (if any)

H-1B cap subject or exempt status

Any previous H-1B denials or RFEs

Has the beneficiary been counted against the H-1B cap before?

Has the beneficiary obtained a master's degree or higher from a US institution?

Attorney Information (if applicable)

If you are working with an attorney, gather their details.

Attorney name

Law firm name

Address

Contact information

G-28 Notice of Appearance as Attorney

Bar number and state

Fees and Payment Information

Be prepared with payment methods for registration and filing fees.

$215 H-1B registration fee per beneficiary

Payment method

Credit card information

Note: Daily transaction limit increased to $99,999.99

Additional fees (if selected in lottery)

Base Filing Fee

$460

Fraud Prevention Fee

$500

ACWIA Fee

Premium Processing (optional)

$2,500

Registration Checklist Progress

0 of 9 steps completed

Important FY2026 H-1B Deadlines

Registration Timeline:

February 28, 2025: First day employers can create H-1B registrant accounts (noon Eastern Time)
March 7, 2025: Registration officially opens (noon Eastern Time)
March 24, 2025: Registration officially closes (noon Eastern Time)
March 31, 2025: Expected notification date for selected registrants

Petition Timeline:

April 1 - June 30, 2025: 90-day filing window for selected registrations
July-August 2025: Possible second lottery (if quota not filled)
July 1, 2025 onward: Visa stamping appointments can be scheduled
October 1, 2025: Start of employment under H-1B visa

H-1B Visa Cap Information

Be aware of the H-1B visa quota limits for FY2026:

Understand the visa allocation

Regular Cap

65,000

U.S. Advanced Degree Exemption

20,000

Total Available

85,000

Understand the selection process

USCIS uses a beneficiary-centric selection approach, where registrations are selected by unique beneficiary rather than by registration.

If multiple employers submit registrations for the same beneficiary, USCIS will only count the beneficiary once in the lottery.

Cap exempt considerations

Cap exempt employers include:

Institutions of higher education
Non-profit entities related to or affiliated with institutions of higher education
Non-profit research organizations
Governmental research organizations

H-1B Registration Checklist (FY2026)

Employer Information

Beneficiary Information

Job Position Details

Educational Credentials

Degree/Certificate #1

Prior Visa History

Attorney Information (if applicable)

Fees and Payment Information

Month-by-Month Preparation Plan

Registration Checklist Progress

Important FY2026 H-1B Deadlines

H-1B Visa Cap Information

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