With the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B cap registration set to open on March 7, 2025, U.S. employers must be prepared to navigate the updated process and ensure timely submission of their registrations. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced several enhancements to streamline the H-1B electronic registration system, including organizational account improvements and a beneficiary-centric selection process.
Key Dates for H-1B Cap Registration
- March 7, 2025 (Noon ET): Initial registration period opens.
- March 24, 2025 (Noon ET): Initial registration period closes.
- March 31, 2025: USCIS intends to notify petitioners whose registrations have been selected.
Employers must use the USCIS online account system to register each H-1B beneficiary and pay the $215 registration fee per submission.
What’s New for FY 2026?
1. Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process
- Registrations are now selected by unique beneficiary rather than individual registrations.
- If multiple registrations are submitted for the same beneficiary, they will be grouped under a single entry to prevent gaming of the lottery system.
- If USCIS receives more registrations than available slots, a random lottery will be conducted.
2. Organizational Account Enhancements
USCIS has introduced new features for organizational and representative accounts to streamline the registration process, including:
✔ Paralegals can now assist multiple attorneys within a single account.
✔ Legal representatives can add paralegals more efficiently to company accounts.
✔ Certain Form I-129 fields will auto-fill from the H-1B registration.
✔ Employers can upload beneficiary data via spreadsheet to pre-populate registration details.
These enhancements aim to reduce administrative burdens and improve accuracy when filing H-1B petitions.
What Employers Must Do Before March 7
1. Create or Update a USCIS Online Account
- New employers must create an organizational account before the registration period.
- Employers with previous H-1B registrant accounts (from FY 2021–2024) will have their accounts converted automatically into organizational accounts.
2. Verify Payment Methods
- The H-1B registration fee is $215 per beneficiary.
- USCIS has temporarily increased the daily credit card transaction limit to $99,999.99 to accommodate high-volume payments.
- Employers submitting registrations exceeding this limit may use Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments but should confirm with their bank to avoid ACH transaction blocks.
3. Prepare for the Lottery Selection
- Selections will be based on unique beneficiaries, meaning multiple entries for the same worker will not increase their chances.
- USCIS will notify selected petitioners by March 31, 2025.
Filing Petitions After Selection
Once selected, petitioners must file a complete H-1B cap-subject petition, including:
- Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker)
- Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor
- Supporting evidence of the beneficiary’s qualifications
Only petitioners with selected registrations will be eligible to file an H-1B petition for FY 2026.
Conclusion: Be Prepared for FY 2026 H-1B Registration
With the H-1B cap registration period opening on March 7, employers should act now to set up accounts, ensure compliance, and prepare beneficiary information for submission. Given the new selection process and system enhancements, it is crucial to stay updated and file correctly.
How NPZ Law Group Can Assist
Our experienced immigration attorneys are here to guide employers through the H-1B registration and petition process, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
Contact NPZ Law Group today for strategic advice on your FY 2026 H-1B cap filings.
Contact Us
For specialty guidance on U.S. and Canadian immigration matters, visit www.visaserve.com or call 201-670-0006. The NPZ Law Group stands ready, willing, and able to assist you with your U.S. and Canadian immigration law needs.
USCIS link: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2026-h-1b-cap-initial-registration-period-opens-on-march-7