H-1B Visa 2026 registration opens March 7: What applicants must know
Learn about the higher fees, new rules, and key deadlines
DUBAI: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the H-1B visa registration period for the fiscal year 2026 will open on March 7 and close on March 24.
Employers and representatives must use USCIS online accounts to register and pay the revised $215 registration fee per beneficiary.
The H-1B visa remains crucial for US technology firms and other businesses seeking skilled foreign workers in specialised fields such as IT, engineering, and healthcare. The annual cap of 85,000 visas includes 65,000 general-category slots and an additional 20,000 for applicants with advanced degrees from US institutions.
The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will run from noon ET on March 7 to noon ET on March 24. Prospective petitioners & representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary ... (1/3)
— USCIS (@USCIS) February 5, 2025
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 & pay the associated $215 H-1B registration fee. https://t.co/8UTKU4l9w8 (3/3)
— USCIS (@USCIS) February 5, 2025
Registration and Selection Timelines
- March 7–March 24, 2025: Initial registration period for H-1B cap-subject petitions.
- March 31, 2025: USCIS notifies selected beneficiaries via online accounts.
- April 1, 2025, onwards: Petition filing window opens for selected beneficiaries.
New beneficiary-centric selection process
Following its introduction in 2025, the beneficiary-centric selection process will continue in FY 2026. This system prevents multiple entries for the same individual, ensuring fairness by tracking applications based on passport numbers. If the number of unique registrations exceeds the cap, a lottery will be conducted. Selection notifications will be available through USCIS accounts by March 31.
Higher fees and credit card limit increase
A significant fee hike has been implemented this year. The registration cost has surged from $10 in previous years to $215 per applicant. This increase is part of the Biden administration's efforts to modernise the H-1B system and enhance integrity.
To facilitate high-volume transactions, the US Department of Treasury has temporarily raised the daily credit card transaction limit from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99. Employers handling multiple registrations can also use Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments.
USCIS Online Registration Accounts
Several improvements have been introduced to USCIS accounts for smoother processing. These include:
- Paralegals can now work with multiple attorneys to prepare registrations and petitions.
- A streamlined process for legal representatives to add paralegals to their firm’s USCIS accounts.
- Pre-populated fields in Form I-129 from selected registrations to reduce redundant data entry.
- A bulk-upload feature allowing employers to input multiple beneficiary details at once.
These updates aim to simplify the submission process and reduce administrative burdens for petitioners.
H-1B Visa renewal system
A major reform in the H-1B visa renewal process is set to benefit thousands of foreign workers, particularly Indian professionals who make up over 70 percent of H-1B recipients. From 2025, a new domestic renewal system will allow visa holders to extend their stay without leaving the US.
This initiative follows a successful pilot programme conducted in early 2024, which demonstrated faster processing and reduced logistical challenges. The change addresses longstanding issues such as the need for international travel and delays in securing visa appointments.
Indians and H-1B Programme
Indian nationals dominate H-1B allocations, securing over 72.3% of the 386,000 visas issued in 2023. Other major recipients include professionals from China (12%), the Philippines (1%), Canada (1%), and South Korea (1%).
The majority of H-1B holders are employed in computer-related occupations, followed by engineering and architecture fields. Top employers include Amazon, Google, and Meta, highlighting the visa’s critical role in the US tech industry. The median annual salary for H-1B holders in 2023 was $118,000, significantly higher than the US national median income of $60,000.