H-1B 2026 Season: Key Registration Details and Changes

The H-1B 2026 registration season is just around the corner! Starting from March 7, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will open the initial registration period for H-1B cap-subject petitioners. If you’re an employer or representative planning to submit an H-1B petition for the fiscal year 2026, understanding the registration process and important dates is critical to ensure a smooth and successful submission.

In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the H-1B 2026 registration, including the registration process, associated fees, changes for this season, and account enhancements.

Table of Contents

1. What is the H-1B 2026 Registration Period?
2. How to Register for the H-1B 2026 Season
3. H-1B 2026 Registration Fee and Payment Details
4. H-1B 2026 Account Enhancements
5. What’s New for H-1B 2026?
6. Conclusion: Preparing for the H-1B 2026 Registration Period

1. What is the H-1B 2026 Registration Period?

The H-1B 2026 registration period will officially open on March 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. This period will last until March 24, 2025, at noon Eastern Time. During this time, prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners must register each beneficiary electronically through their USCIS online accounts.

The initial registration period is a crucial step in the H-1B process, as the USCIS will use the beneficiary-centric selection process to choose applicants for further processing. The registration period is designed to be as efficient as possible, allowing employers and representatives to submit registrations for multiple beneficiaries electronically without the need for detailed paperwork upfront.

2. How to Register for the H-1B 2026 Season

To register for the H-1B 2026 season, employers or their representatives must follow these steps:

1. Create a USCIS Online Account
   If you’re a first-time registrant, you’ll need to create a USCIS online account before registering your beneficiaries.
2. Enter Beneficiary Information
   Once your account is active, you can enter beneficiary details into the system. March 7, 2025, is the first day to begin submitting beneficiary information.
3. Submit the Registration and Pay the Fee
   You will need to submit your electronic registration along with a $215 registration fee per beneficiary. The payment can be made using credit cards or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers.
4. Selection Process
   After the registration period ends, USCIS will conduct a random selection process for each unique beneficiary, notifying selected applicants by March 31, 2025.

3. H-1B 2026 Registration Fee and Payment Details

For the H-1B 2026 registration, petitioners are required to pay a $215 fee for each beneficiary they are registering. This fee applies regardless of whether or not the registration is selected in the lottery.

The US Treasury Department has approved a temporary increase in the credit card transaction limit for the H-1B 2026 season. The daily limit for credit card transactions has been raised from $24,999.99 to $99,999.99 to accommodate the volume of H-1B registration payments. If your payment exceeds this amount, you will need to use ACH for payment. Note that ACH payments may require prior notification to your bank to remove any potential blocks on large transactions.

4. H-1B 2026 Account Enhancements

USCIS has rolled out several enhancements for the H-1B 2026 registration process to make it more efficient for employers and representatives:

• Paralegal and Legal Representative Access: Paralegals can now collaborate with multiple legal representatives, which will streamline the registration process for H-1B filings.
• Pre-population of I-129 Data: Certain fields in the Form I-129 will now be pre-populated from the selected H-1B registrations, reducing the chances of errors and speeding up the filing process.
• Upload H-1B Beneficiary Data: Employers can now prepare a spreadsheet containing beneficiary information and upload it to pre-populate data in the registration system.

These enhancements are designed to simplify the process for H-1B petitioners, making it faster and more efficient.

5. What’s New for H-1B 2026?

There are several important changes to the H-1B 2026 registration process:

1. Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process: Starting in FY 2025, USCIS introduced a beneficiary-centric selection process where individual beneficiaries, rather than the registrations, are selected. This means that the selection will be based on the unique beneficiary rather than the number of registrations submitted on their behalf.
2. Credit Card Transaction Limit Increase: The temporary increase in the credit card transaction limit will make it easier for employers to make payments for multiple beneficiaries, ensuring that larger payments are not blocked.

6. Preparing for the H-1B 2026 Registration Period

The H-1B 2026 registration period is a key milestone for employers and representatives looking to petition for skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations. Make sure you’re prepared by creating a USCIS online account, entering beneficiary information in a timely manner, and submitting the $215 registration fee. By understanding the registration process and utilizing the new account enhancements, you can streamline your submission and improve your chances of success.

Keep track of all important dates, and remember that selections will take place after the registration period ends on March 24, 2025. Notifications of selected registrations will be sent by March 31, 2025.

Visual Summary: H-1B 2026 Registration Dates

Stay ahead of the curve by preparing for the H-1B 2026 registration season today!

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