H-1B Visa 2026: Registration Details, Fee Increase & New Enhancements US: H-1B visa registration for 2026 to open from March 7 The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open from 10:30 PM IST on March 7, 2025, to 10:30 PM IST on March 24, 2025. During this timeframe, prospective petitioners and their representatives must electronically register each beneficiary using a USCIS online account and pay the associated registration fee. Key Details for Employers and Registrants Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process The FY 2026 H-1B cap will continue using the beneficiary-centric selection process introduced in FY 2025. Under this system: USCIS intends to notify selected petitioners and representatives by March 31, 2025. Registration and Payment Information Temporary Increase in Credit Card Transaction Limit To accommodate high registration volumes, the U.S. Department of Treasury has temporarily increased the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 for the FY 2026 H-1B cap season. Transactions exceeding this limit can be made via Automated Clearing House (ACH), though users may need to notify their bank in advance to remove potential ACH blocks. Filing H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions An H-1B cap-subject petition, including those under the advanced degree exemption, can only be filed by a petitioner whose registration for the specified beneficiary has been selected. Enhancements to Organizational Accounts USCIS has introduced several improvements for FY 2026 to streamline the H-1B filing process, including: Paralegal Access Expansion: Paralegals can now collaborate with multiple legal representatives, allowing them to assist in preparing H-1B registrations, Form I-129 petitions, and Form I-907 requests for premium processing across different attorneys within a single account. Simplified Legal Representative Management: Legal representatives can now add paralegals to company clients more easily. Pre-populated Forms: Selected H-1B registrations will auto-fill certain fields in Form I-129, reducing manual data entry. Batch Data Upload: Employers and legal representatives can now prepare a spreadsheet of H-1B beneficiary data and upload it to pre-populate registration fields, improving efficiency. These enhancements will go live before the initial registration period begins. For further details, visit the H-1B Electronic Registration Process page on the USCIS website. Read More: News | Politics | Entertainment | Lifestyle | Sports | Photos | Videos | Tech |
The 2026 H-1B cap season registrations, which opened on March 7, 2025, will close on March 24. The initial registration period is a minimum of 14 calendar days every fiscal year. USCIS intends to notify prospective petitioners and representatives whose accounts have at least one registration selected by March 31. If selected, the beneficiaries can start the petition filing process. During the H-1B cap season registration, prospective petitioners and representatives have to utilize a US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) online account to electronically register each beneficiary for the selection process. For the 2026 H-1B cap-season, each registration submitted on behalf of a beneficiary costs $215. The H-1B visa selections occur after the initial registration period closes on March 24. However, if USCIS receives registrations for enough unique beneficiaries by March 24, there will be a random selection of unique beneficiaries and send selection notifications via users’ USCIS online accounts. If USCIS do not receive registrations for enough unique beneficiaries, all registrations for unique beneficiaries that were properly submitted in the initial registration period will be selected. Initially started in FY 2025, USCIS will use the beneficiary-centric c even for the FY 2026 H-1B cap season. Under the beneficiary-centric process, registrations are selected by unique beneficiaries rather than by registration. The passport or travel document provided must be the one the beneficiary, if or when abroad, intends to use to enter the United States if issued an H-1B visa. Each beneficiary must only be registered under one passport or travel document. Only those with selected registrations are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. USCIS had selected 114,017 beneficiaries, resulting in 120,603 selected registrations in the initial selection for the FY 2025 H-1B cap season. After the closure of the registration period on March 24, the process of filing the H-1B petition will begin. Those beneficiaries whose registrations are selected can file the H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 20265, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Only petitioners with registrations for selected beneficiaries will be allowed to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026. The period for filing the H-1B cap-subject petition will be at least 90 days. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented a Rs 2.36 lakh crore budget for 2025-26 with a focus on tackling the state’s drug problem and improving healthcare. No new taxes were introduced, but the budget did not mention the AAP’s promise of Rs 1,000 monthly for women. Key allocations include Rs 5,598 crore for healthcare, Rs 17,975 crore for education.
Home – Finance – H-1B Visa 2025: What You Need to Know About New Rules & Application Dates! The H-1B Visa 2025 season brings new rules and updates, including an increased registration fee and revised Form I-129. This detailed guide covers the application dates, eligibility criteria, step-by-step application process, and tips for success. Stay informed and maximize your chances of selection in this highly competitive lottery system. H-1B Visa 2025: The H-1B visa continues to be one of the most sought-after U.S. work visas for foreign professionals in specialty occupations, including technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance. As we approach the 2025 H-1B visa application season, several changes and updates have been introduced. If you’re planning to apply or are an employer looking to hire international talent, here’s what you need to know. The H-1B visa 2025 season introduces new rules, including an increased registration fee, a revised Form I-129, and the continued use of the beneficiary-centric selection process. Staying informed and preparing early are key to maximizing your chances of selection. Whether you’re an applicant or an employer, understanding these updates and navigating the application process strategically is essential for a successful outcome. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. These roles are typically found in fields such as IT, engineering, mathematics, architecture, and healthcare. The H-1B visa is subject to an annual cap: Due to high demand, USCIS conducts a random lottery to select applicants from the pool of registrations. Source: USCIS FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Announcement The registration fee for each H-1B beneficiary has been increased to $215, up from $10 in previous years. This change aims to cover processing costs. A new version of Form I-129 becomes mandatory on January 17, 2025. Petitions filed using outdated forms will be rejected. USCIS continues to enforce a beneficiary-centric selection process, preventing multiple registrations for the same individual by different employers. The Biden administration is considering implementing a wage-based selection system, favoring higher-paid positions. This proposal is still under review and may impact future H-1B lotteries. To qualify for an H-1B visa, the applicant must meet the following criteria: Employers must register electronically through the USCIS online portal during the registration period (March 7-24, 2025). A non-refundable fee of $215 per beneficiary is required at the time of registration. USCIS will conduct a lottery if registrations exceed the cap. Selected registrants will be notified by March 31, 2025. Employers can file Form I-129 for selected beneficiaries starting April 1, 2025. Approved applicants can begin employment on or after October 1, 2025. H-1B Visa 2025 Update: What’s Changing & How It Affects Applicants! H-1B Visa Rules Updated for 2025 – Key Changes & Application Timeline! H-1B and H-2 Visa Application 2025 – Check Eligibility, Documents Required There are 85,000 visas available: 65,000 for the general cap and 20,000 for the advanced degree exemption. No, the beneficiary-centric selection process prevents multiple registrations for the same person by different employers. Yes, premium processing is available for an additional fee of $2,500, guaranteeing a decision within 15 days. Yes, H-1B visa holders can transfer their status to a new employer by filing a new Form I-129. The initial duration is three years, with the possibility of a three-year extension, totaling six years.
BusinessDay Chisom Michael March 2, 2025 The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B visa cap will begin on 7 March 2025 and end on 24 March 2025. Employers must register beneficiaries electronically through USCIS online accounts and pay a $215 fee per applicant. The beneficiary-centric selection process introduced in FY 2025 will continue, and results will be available by 31 March 2025.
USCIS online account requirement
Employers and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register applicants. Those with H-1B registrant accounts from FY 2021 to FY 2024 but who did not participate in FY 2025 will have their accounts converted to organisational accounts. First-time registrants can create accounts at any time. Step-by-step video guides and additional resources will be available on the USCIS website before the registration period opens. Read also: Six U.S. work visa options as H-1B rejections rise
Process for representatives and registrants
Representatives can add clients to their accounts at any time, but beneficiary information and payment submission can only begin on 7 March. USCIS will conduct the selection process after the registration period ends, with no advantage for early submissions.
Beneficiary-centric selection process
The selection process will be based on unique beneficiaries rather than individual registrations. If USCIS receives sufficient unique beneficiary registrations by 24 March, a random selection will take place. Notifications will be sent through USCIS online accounts by 31 March.
To manage high registration volumes, the US Department of Treasury has temporarily raised the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 for the FY 2026 H-1B cap season. Employers making larger payments can use Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions and should confirm with their banks that no ACH blocks are in place.
Only selected petitioners may file cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The job must require specialised knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Employers must submit a Labour Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labour to confirm compliance with wage and working conditions. Read also: Here are top 15 H-1B visa sponsors and approval numbers
Organisational account enhancements
For FY 2026, USCIS has introduced enhancements to organisational and representative accounts, including:
Paralegals can collaborate with multiple legal representatives to prepare H-1B registrations, Form I-129 petitions, and Form I-907 requests for premium processing.
Legal representatives can add paralegals to company accounts.
Pre-population of select Form I-129 fields from chosen H-1B registrations.
A new feature for bulk uploads of H-1B beneficiary data via spreadsheet.
Read also: Here’s how to check your US H-1B visa status These improvements aim to streamline the registration and petition process ahead of the FY 2026 registration period. For further details, prospective applicants and employers are encouraged to visit the official USCIS website or seek legal advice.
Chisom Michael is a data analyst (audience engagement) and writer at BusinessDay, with diverse experience in the media industry. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics from Imo State University and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology from Liaoning Univerisity of Technology China. He specialises in listicle writing, profiles and leveraging his skills in audience engagement analysis and data-driven insights to create compelling content that resonates with readers.
Share
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Chisom Michael is a data analyst (audience engagement) and writer at BusinessDay, with diverse experience in the media industry. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics from Imo State University and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology from Liaoning Univerisity of Technology China. He specialises in listicle writing, profiles and leveraging his skills in audience engagement analysis and data-driven insights to create compelling content that resonates with readers. Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary. Prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners or their representatives are required to use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated $215 H-1B registration fee for each registration submitted on behalf of each beneficiary. If you are an H-1B petitioning employer who does not have a USCIS online account, you will need to create an organizational account. If you are an H-1B petitioning employer who had an H-1B registrant account for the FY 2021 – FY 2024 H-1B registration seasons, but you did not use the account for FY 2025, your existing account will be converted to an organizational account after your next log in. First-time registrants can create an account at any time. Representatives may add clients to their accounts at any time, but both representatives and registrants must wait until March 7 to enter beneficiary information and submit the registration with the $215 fee. Selections occur after the initial registration period closes, so there is no requirement to register on the day the initial registration period opens. The FY 2026 H-1B cap will use the beneficiary-centric selection process launched in FY 2025. Under the beneficiary-centric process, registrations are selected by unique beneficiaries rather than by registration. If USCIS receives registrations for enough unique beneficiaries by March 24, they will randomly select unique beneficiaries and send selection notifications via users’ USCIS online accounts. If USCIS does not receive registrations for enough unique beneficiaries, all registrations for unique beneficiaries that were properly submitted in the initial registration period will be selected. USCIS intends to notify by March 31 prospective petitioners and representatives whose accounts have at least one registration selected. The U.S. Department of Treasury has approved a temporary increase in the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 per day for the FY 2026 H-1B cap season. This temporary increase is in response to the volume of previous H-1B registrations that exceeded the daily credit card limit. Transactions more than $99,999.99 may be made via Automated Clearing House (ACH). Use of ACH may require the payor to alert their bank in advance to remove any potential ACH block on their account. We will provide additional information before the start of the initial H-1B registration period. An H-1B cap-subject petition, including a petition for a beneficiary who is eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may only be filed by a petitioner whose registration for the beneficiary named in the H-1B petition was selected in the H-1B registration process. Account Enhancements for FY 2026 For FY 2026, USCIS has made multiple enhancements for organizational and representative accounts for H-1B filing. These enhancements include: The ability for paralegals to work with more than one legal representative. A paralegal will now be able to accept invitations from multiple legal representative accounts, allowing them to prepare H-1B registrations, Form I-129 H-1B petitions, and Form I-907 requests for premium processing for different attorneys, all within one paralegal account; An easier way for legal representatives to add paralegals to company clients. Pre-population of certain Form I-129 fields from selected H-1B registrations; and The ability to prepare a spreadsheet of H-1B beneficiary data and upload the information to pre-populate data in H-1B registrations. These enhancements will be live before the start of the initial registration period. The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program permits temporary employment of foreign workers in specialty occupations, requiring specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s or higher degree. The Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule took effect on Friday, January 17, 2025, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs.
Sonu Nigam’s concert at Delhi Technological University was marred by chaos as audience members threw stones and bottles at the stage. Despite this, Nigam remained calm and urged the crowd to behave. Some of his team members were injured, but a fan’s gesture of throwing a hairband at Nigam brought a heartwarming moment.
English