FY 2026 H-1B Cap Registration: Key Updates and Application Guide

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced important updates for the FY 2026 H-1B cap registration process. These updates include critical information on registration timelines, fees, selection procedures, and system enhancements. Employers and beneficiaries planning to apply for H-1B visas should carefully review these changes to ensure a smooth application process. Below is a detailed summary of the key updates.

1. Initial Registration Period

The initial registration period for the FY 2026 H-1B cap will open at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on March 7, 2025, and close at 12:00 PM Eastern Time on March 24, 2025. During this period, employers or their authorized representatives must electronically register each beneficiary through their USCIS online account and pay the associated registration fee.

📌 Important Note: Registrations can be submitted at any time during the open period. Submitting on the first day does not improve your odds of selection.

2. Registration Fee and Payment Methods

• Registration Fee: A $215 non-refundable fee applies to each registration.
• Payment Methods: Employers can pay by credit card or Automated Clearing House (ACH).

To manage the high registration volume, the U.S. Department of the 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. For transactions exceeding this limit, employers must use ACH.

📌 Important Note: Employers using ACH should notify their banks ahead of time to prevent potential payment issues.

3. Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process

The FY 2026 H-1B cap will continue to use the beneficiary-centric selection process introduced in FY 2025. Unlike previous years, this process randomly selects beneficiaries rather than registrations. This means that if multiple employers register the same beneficiary, only one entry will be included in the selection process.

• Selection Notifications: USCIS will notify selected employers or their representatives via their USCIS online accounts by March 31, 2025.
• If registrations do not exceed the cap, all properly submitted entries will be selected.

4. Organizational Account Enhancements

To streamline the registration process, USCIS has introduced several enhancements to organizational accounts, including:

• Paralegals Can Support Multiple Attorneys: Paralegals can now accept invitations from multiple legal representatives, allowing them to manage H-1B registrations, Form I-129 petitions, and Form I-907 premium processing requests for different attorneys within a single account.
• Batch Upload of Beneficiary Data: Employers can upload a spreadsheet to pre-populate beneficiary information, significantly simplifying the registration process.
• Auto-Population of Form I-129 Fields: Certain fields in Form I-129 will be automatically populated based on selected H-1B registrations.

📌 Important Note: These enhancements will be available before the registration period opens. Employers should familiarize themselves with the updated system to avoid delays.

5. Important Tips for Employers

• Registration Does Not Guarantee Filing: Only selected beneficiaries can proceed with filing a complete H-1B petition (including Form I-129). Unselected registrations will not be eligible for further processing.
• Employers Should Prepare Ahead of Time: Employers without a USCIS online account should create one as soon as possible to avoid potential system issues during the registration period.
• No Need to Rush: Submitting on the first day does not improve your odds of selection. Employers can register at any time during the open period.

The FY 2026 H-1B cap registration process introduces several important updates, including the beneficiary-centric selection process, payment method adjustments, and organizational account enhancements. Employers and beneficiaries should carefully review these updates and plan accordingly to ensure a smooth application process.

If you have any questions about the H-1B application process or need professional legal assistance, please contact our immigration law team. With decades of experience in U.S. immigration law, we are committed to providing efficient and reliable legal services to our clients.

For more information, visit the USCIS website .

Related Links:  Create an organizational account;  Organizational Accounts Frequently Asked Questions ; H-1B Electronic Registration Process