USCIS has announced that the H-1B cap registration period for FY 2026 will begin at noon Eastern on March 7, 2025, and close at noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. Employers seeking to sponsor H-1B workers must register their beneficiaries electronically through a USCIS online account and pay a $215 registration fee per beneficiary. Employers should prepare in advance, as only those with selected registrations can file an H-1B petition. Below, we outline key updates, important deadlines, and how we can help navigate the process.
Key Changes and Updates for H-1B FY 2026
For the FY 2026 H-1B cap season, USCIS has introduced several important updates that impact how registrations are submitted and selected:
1. Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process
- USCIS will select registrations based on unique beneficiaries rather than individual registrations.
- This change prevents multiple registrations from increasing an individual’s chances of selection.
- If USCIS receives enough unique beneficiary registrations, a lottery will be conducted.
2. New Organizational Account Features for Employers and Attorneys
USCIS has introduced enhancements to its organizational accounts, making it easier for businesses and legal representatives to manage H-1B registrations:
- Paralegals can work with multiple legal representatives, allowing them to assist different attorneys with H-1B filings.
- Legal representatives can add paralegals to company accounts more efficiently.
- Pre-population of Form I-129 fields from selected H-1B registrations to reduce data entry errors.
- The bulk data upload feature allows employers to submit multiple registrations at once.
3. Increased Credit Card Payment Limit
- The daily credit card transaction limit has been temporarily increased from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 for the FY 2026 registration period.
- Transactions exceeding $99,999.99 must be made via Automated Clearing House (ACH). Employers using ACH should contact their bank to lift any ACH transaction limits before registration begins.
Steps for Employers: Preparing for H-1B Registration
To ensure a smooth and timely H-1B registration process, employers should take the following steps:
1. Create or Update Your USCIS Online Account
- Employers who do not have a USCIS organizational account must create one before submitting registrations.
- If an employer previously had an H-1B registrant account (FY 2021-2024) but did not use it in FY 2025, the existing account will be converted into an organizational account upon login.
2. Gather Beneficiary Information Early
- Employers should collect necessary details about each H-1B candidate in advance to avoid last-minute delays.
- If multiple registrations are submitted, the new bulk upload feature can save time.
3. Understand Payment Methods and Limits
- Ensure you have a valid credit card or ACH payment method ready for the registration fee.
- If using ACH, notify your bank to prevent payment issues.
4. Submit Registrations Before the Deadline
- While registration runs from March 7 to March 24, 2025, early submission is recommended to avoid technical issues.
What Happens After Registration?
- Selection Process:
- If USCIS receives more than enough unique registrations by March 24, 2025, it will conduct a random lottery to select beneficiaries.
- If there are fewer registrations than available H-1B visas, all properly submitted registrations will be selected.
- Selection Notifications:
- USCIS will notify selected registrants via their online accounts by March 31, 2025.
- Only selected beneficiaries will be eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions.
- Filing the H-1B Petition:
- Employers with selected registrations must file a complete Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, along with supporting documents during the petition filing window.
How We Can Assist with the H-1B Process
Navigating the H-1B process requires careful planning and compliance with USCIS rules. Our team provides:
1. Registration and Compliance Assistance
- We help employers create and manage their USCIS online accounts to ensure proper registration.
- We verify that all beneficiary details meet USCIS requirements to prevent rejections.
2. Strategic Planning for Employers
- We advise on best practices for H-1B sponsorship to maximize selection chances under the beneficiary-centric process.
- We guide companies through bulk registration submissions for multiple employees.
3. H-1B Petition Filing Support
- If your registration is selected, we will assist you with filing the H-1B petition correctly and on time.
- We ensure that all required documents are included to avoid processing delays.
Next Steps: Contact Us for H-1B Support
The H-1B visa process is highly competitive, and early preparation is key. Whether you need assistance with registration, compliance, or petition filing, our team is here to help.
Contact us today to start your H-1B process.
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