Employers Brace for 2026 H-1B Cap Lottery as Registration Nears

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Key Takeaways

• H-1B lottery registration for fiscal year 2026 opens March 7, 2025, and closes March 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CST.
• Registration fees have increased to $215 per entry, and duplicate registrations for the same beneficiary by one employer are disqualified.
• Selected registrations must file H-1B petitions by June 30, 2025; approved workers may begin employment on October 1, 2025.

The H-1B cap lottery season for fiscal year 2026 is just around the corner, and employers urgently need to turn their attention to this critical process. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will again use its online electronic registration and lottery system to manage the process of assigning new H-1B spots. This system aims to make the process more streamlined for businesses and workers alike. However, this year brings some key updates and challenges that employers must prepare for to improve their chances of success.

Key Dates for the 2026 H-1B Cap Season

Employers Brace for 2026 H-1B Cap Lottery as Registration Nears

The electronic registration for the H-1B lottery for fiscal year 2026 opens on March 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CST and closes on March 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CST. Employers have just over two weeks to complete and submit their entries during this period, which makes advanced preparation crucial. Based on past years, USCIS is expected to notify lottery results by March 31, 2025. Employers whose registrations are selected will then have 90 days, starting April 1, 2025, to file their full H-1B petitions with USCIS.

These tightly packed deadlines leave little room for error. Employers should add these dates to their calendars and take every precaution to submit timely and accurate registrations.

What’s Different This Year?

One of the most significant changes for fiscal year 2026 is the increased registration fee. Previously, the fee was set at $10 for each lottery entry. For the upcoming year, this fee has jumped to $215 per registration. While still non-refundable, this adjustment reflects USCIS’s efforts to modernize the system and cover administrative costs. Employers must factor this increase into their budgets when planning their H-1B strategies.

Additionally, USCIS is firm on preventing duplicate registrations for the same beneficiary by the same employer. If duplicate registrations are identified, all entries for that beneficiary will be disqualified. Importantly, multiple employers can still register the same beneficiary, provided each employer adheres to the one-registration rule. This ensures fairness while limiting abuse of the system.

H-1B Cap Numbers for 2026

As in prior years, the H-1B cap for fiscal year 2026 remains unchanged and follows the statutory limits:

65,000 H-1B visas under the general cap are made available for skilled foreign workers holding at least a bachelor’s degree in a specialized field.
An additional 20,000 H-1B visas are allocated for individuals with a master’s degree or higher obtained from U.S. universities.

The 65,000-general cap includes 6,800 spots specially reserved under the H-1B1 program for workers from Chile 🇨🇱 and Singapore 🇸🇬 as part of trade agreements with these countries. If unused, these reserved visas are added back to the general pool the following year.

Required Information for Lottery Entries

To participate in the lottery, employers must carefully gather all the necessary details about both the company and the prospective employee. Each registration entry should include:

Employer’s full name, federal employer identification number (FEIN), and mailing address.
Name, job title, and contact details for the employer’s authorized representative.
Beneficiary’s full name, date of birth, gender, country of citizenship, country of birth, and passport number.
Information about whether the beneficiary holds a master’s or higher degree from a U.S. institution.
Details about the employer’s legal representative, if applicable.

It’s essential for all this information to be accurate. Errors or discrepancies can lead to disqualification, either during registration or later in the process.

Best Practices to Reduce Mistakes

To avoid potential issues, employers should review all entries multiple times before submitting them. Initial errors can often snowball into bigger problems later, delaying approvals or costing opportunities. Employers are encouraged to begin gathering documents and confirming eligibility well before March.

Employers are also required to attest that they are offering genuine employment to the beneficiary if selected for an H-1B slot. This forces businesses to carefully evaluate which roles truly require specialized skills and meet the eligibility criteria.

Identifying Eligible Candidates

Before the registration window opens, employers should evaluate their current and potential workforce to identify individuals who qualify for an H-1B visa. Eligible candidates often fall into these categories:

Students on F-1 visas working under Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT extensions.
Recent or incoming hires expected to complete their degrees in spring 2025.
Certain employees already working under time-restricted visas, like L-1 intracompany transferees.
Qualified foreign workers who have not yet held H-1B status.
Employees holding E-3 or H-1B1 visas who want to transition to an H-1B.
Non-citizen spouses of workers on H-4, L-2, or E-2 dependent visas.

Employers should maintain accurate records of these employees and ensure their eligibility aligns with the requirements of the H-1B program.

Managing Selection and Petition Filing

After the lottery results are announced in late March, winners will have until June 30, 2025, to submit their full H-1B petitions. A failure to meet this 90-day deadline could result in the forfeiture of the opportunity. Immigration attorneys or representatives can assist employers with properly filing the petitions during this critical stage.

Selected candidates can begin work on October 1, 2025, provided their petitions are approved. This is the start of fiscal year 2026, and employers should plan their workforce needs accordingly.

Anti-Fraud Measures and Process Adjustments

USCIS introduced several changes in 2024 that continue into 2026 to minimize misuse and fraud in the H-1B program. These include:

Tying registration entries to valid passports.
Ensuring petitions with duplicated lottery entries are invalidated.
Implementing stricter rules to deny or revoke filings where fraudulent information is uncovered.

These changes aim to preserve the lottery’s fairness and help it serve its intended purpose.

Preparing for Challenges

Unaffected by these measures, some challenges for employers persist. Responding efficiently to a Request for Evidence (RFE) remains one of the most common hurdles. RFEs are issued when USCIS needs additional proof to process a petition. Quick, thorough responses to RFEs often determine whether a petition is approved or denied.

To simplify submissions, USCIS has recently launched a new online tool designed for preparing H-1B registrations and petitions collaboratively. Employers should also utilize the updated Form I-129, released in January 2025. Understanding these tools now can spare unnecessary delays when deadlines are tight.

What to Expect After October 1, 2025

Once fiscal year 2026 begins, selected workers can begin their H-1B employment on or after October 1. Employers should be prepared to onboard these employees promptly and ensure compliance with all H-1B-related rules, including wage standards and position requirements.

Final Thoughts

Fiscal year 2026 introduces some noticeable shifts, including the new $215 registration fee and ongoing measures to reduce program misuse. Employers must act swiftly and with precision to avoid disqualification and improve their chances in the H-1B lottery. Timely planning—such as reviewing employee records, gathering needed information, and budgeting for fees—can greatly impact the outcome.

Given the critical nature of this process, businesses should consider working closely with immigration professionals for guidance. Experts can help navigate the complexities of the USCIS system, ensuring that all criteria are met and filings are efficiently handled. Proper preparation ensures employers can respond effectively, should their registration be selected.

For more details about the H-1B petition process and official updates, visit the USCIS H-1B Cap Season page. By staying engaged with trustworthy platforms like VisaVerge.com, employers can make informed decisions and ensure their H-1B participation remains competitive and compliant.

Learn Today

H-1B Cap → A yearly limit set by the U.S. government on the number of H-1B visas issued to skilled foreign workers.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) → The agency responsible for administering the U.S. immigration system, including managing visa petitions and applications.
Duplicate Registrations → Multiple lottery entries submitted by the same employer for the same worker, which can result in disqualification.
Request for Evidence (RFE) → A formal USCIS request for additional proof or documents to process a visa petition or application.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) → A temporary work authorization allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in their field of study.

This Article in a Nutshell

The H-1B fiscal year 2026 lottery begins March 7, 2025, with a new $215 registration fee and stricter fraud measures. Employers must prepare early, gather accurate information, and review entries carefully to avoid disqualification. Strategic planning, eligibility checks, and expert guidance can improve lottery success and streamline petition filing.
— By VisaVerge.com