USA H-1B Cap 2026 Registration Begins March 7 – Key Fees, Process & Deadlines

The registration period for the FY 2026 H-1B visa cap starts on March 7, 2025, and ends on March 24, 2025. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement a $215 registration fee and introduce beneficiary-centric selection for a more streamlined process.

Key Registration Details

Employers and their legal representatives must register each beneficiary electronically. To participate in the selection process, they must use a USCIS online account. The $215 fee applies for each beneficiary registered. Importantly, the selection process will focus on unique beneficiaries, treating each one individually. This means that multiple registrations for the same beneficiary will not be considered.

No Rush on Opening Day

Registration is not first-come, first-served. Therefore, applicants do not need to rush to register on March 7. Instead, they can take their time to ensure all details are accurate.

How to Register for the H-1B Cap

The entire registration process for the H-1B visa is electronic. Prospective employers or authorized representatives must utilize a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary. Remember, a non-refundable fee of $215 is required for each registration.

1. Creating or Accessing Your USCIS Online Account

• New Employers: Create an organizational account anytime before registration.
• Existing Employers: Accounts from FY 2021-2024 will convert to organizational accounts upon the next login.
• Representatives: You can add clients to your accounts anytime. However, you cannot enter beneficiary information or submit registrations until March 7.

2. Selection Process and Notifications

USCIS will continue its beneficiary-centric selection process for FY 2026. If registrations reach the cap by March 24, USCIS will randomly select unique beneficiaries. Notifications will be sent via online accounts. If the cap is not met, all properly submitted registrations will be selected. USCIS aims to notify registrants by March 31, 2025.

3. Temporary Increase in Credit Card Transaction Limits

To accommodate high transaction volumes, the U.S. Department of Treasury has temporarily raised the daily credit card transaction limit. The limit increased from 24,999.99 to 99,999.99 for the FY 2026 H-1B season. Transactions exceeding this amount must be processed via Automated Clearing House (ACH) and may require prior bank authorization.

4. Enhancements to Organizational Accounts

USCIS has rolled out several updates to enhance the H-1B filing experience:

• Paralegal Access: Paralegals can now collaborate with multiple legal representatives in the USCIS system.
• Simplified Client Management: Legal representatives can easily add paralegals to their company accounts.
• Pre-Populated Fields: Certain fields in Form I-129 will auto-fill from selected H-1B registrations.
• Bulk Data Uploads: Employers can upload spreadsheets with H-1B beneficiary details, streamlining the registration process.

These updates aim to improve efficiency and reduce errors during data entry.

5. Filing an H-1B Petition

Employers must confirm that their beneficiary’s registration is selected before submitting H-1B cap-subject petitions. After confirmation, they should proceed with Form I-129. For more registration details, visit the USCIS website’s H-1B Electronic Registration Process page.

Conclusion

The FY 2026 H-1B cap season brings significant changes in registration fees, selection methods, and account management. Employers and representatives should prepare in advance to ensure a smooth registration process. Stay informed with USCIS announcements for further guidance before the registration window opens on March 7, 2025.